For over thirty years Alan Neale has spoken with passion, relevance, authenticity and humor of themes that are profound and pressing; the profound he makes simple and accessible, the pressing he makes immediate and welcoming. All these years past have provided little time for Alan to write extensively and so now he begins a long-postponed desire and there are many themes waiting to be translated into books; the task is daunting and enthralling and he longs to begin in 2015
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
Sunday September 25 2016 I began a nine-part series entitled “12 Steps to Freedom” – a personal and I hope spirited reflection on the 12 Steps compiled by Bill Wilson (co-founder of AA). Class #1 is an introduction to the subject touching on some historical and general context. As it happened the day before the… Continue reading
For the second week the Sunday readings contained a passage from that dour prophet, Amos. When I wrote the sermon on Saturday it was about ten minutes long – oh dear, the moment of preaching extended that by 50%, “alas” indeed. To hear the extemporaneous words, listen to the audio. Audio Sermon preached at Trinity… Continue reading
Adult Christian Formation – Trinity Church, Newport Please take part in a wonderful opportunity to enhance your faith in a safe and comfortable setting. The Adult Study Forum returns for the fall term beginning this Sunday, September 25 at 9am. Climb the rungs with The Rev. Alan Neale as he leads us up “A Twelve Step… Continue reading
Below is the audio and text of sermon preached 9/11/16. For many years now I have been strengthened and comforted by the belied of “God In Process”; this is the most explicit I have ever been. Sermon Audio Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI. Sunday September 11 2016 The Reverend Alan Neale, “Stiff necks… Continue reading
For many years I have longed to preach on the text for today (“You shall be like a watered garden” Isaiah 58:11) and now I have! Below is the audio of the sermon, and below that is the text – they are not identical but similar; things just happen once in the pulpit. “You shall… Continue reading
The Genesis passage today is startling. It stresses the importance of honest questions and concentrated attention – this is crucial in a healthy relationship with God and with others. And please note the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is definitively not about homosexuality but about the grievous sin of radical inhospitality. Sermon Audio … Continue reading
What was once considered unimaginable in our world (local and beyond) continues to occur with increasing frequency – acts of gross turpitude and vile horror. Much that has been said in response unites people of all and no faiths. In today’s sermon I attempt to offer a uniquely Christian theological response. This is not meant… Continue reading
(the text is not “exactly” what was preached – hear the audio above! Alan) Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport, RI, Sunday June 5th 2016 The Reverend Alan Neale, “Transformers, not in disguise” In 1985 I spent a ten day silent retreat at the Convent of the Sisters of the Love of God in Hertforshire,… Continue reading