Advent is such a glorious season of the Church’s Year; it shouts “counter-cultural” to a mad, mad, mad, mad world engorged by crass commercialism and a rapid race toward the numbing of spirituality and the unreadiness to accept the Christ-child… born in a stable. I plan to sport the purple rubber band throughout Advent and… Continue reading
This past week it was my joy and privilege to marry two very successful and experienced event planners who have organized many unique and perfect weddings. Here’s what they wrote “Thank you so very much Alan. We are so overwhelmed with all the love and support. Our ceremony was the most beautiful part of our… Continue reading
It had to happen one day… a few minutes before early service yesterday I discovered (to my “surprise”) that I was the preacher. My friend and “boss”, Anne Marie Richards, generously and effectively took up the challenge at 8am. I preached at 10am trusting more than ever in the Spirit’s grace. So no text because… Continue reading
There are couples who prefer to choose an officiant who will attend the ceremony and perform the legal part of the ceremony; it is their wedding. Others, though, look for an officiant who will give time to begin to get to know them; an officiant who will walk the fine but elegant line between presenting… Continue reading
(A few people have contacted me and said these notes are largely incomprehensible; probably so! What takes place in the class is so unexpected and exciting that it cannot be expressed in words and a recording would not be good. So, this is the best I can offer… if you have questions, disagreements – let… Continue reading
Sermon Audio (text plus…) Sermon Text Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI. Sunday October 23 2016 The Reverend Alan Neale “Healthy Self-Deprecation” Luke 18:11 “11 The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men… or… Continue reading
Sermon Audio Sermon Text Sermon preached at Trinity Church. Newport RI; Sunday October 16th 2016 The Reverend Alan Neale “True Grit?” “Angela Duckworth begins her book by sharing a personal life story. In her childhood, she was constantly told by her father that she was not a genius. He not only underestimated her intellectual potential… Continue reading
Trinity Church Newport, RI Sunday October 9 2016 “Twelve Steps to Freedom” #3 “Steps 4-5: Checking Inventory” Chapter 5 HOW IT WORKS (AA pp. 58-60) Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this… Continue reading
Sunday October 2 2016 “Twelve Steps to Freedom” #2 “The Basic and Healthy Soil for Freedom” Galatians 5 Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. 2-3 I am emphatic about this. 4-6 I suspect you would never… Continue reading
And here are examples for, reasons for, such a miracle! Click – The Mystery of High School Romances that last