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
How to be passive, how to surrender, with dignity and purpose; there is a way to do this… listen to the audio and/or read the text below. Sermon Preached at Trinity Church, Newport RI Maundy Thursday March 24 2016 The Reverend Alan Neale “The Majesty of Passivity” This past week I approached with care a… Continue reading
Here is one response from a sermon auditor this morning: “Good afternoon, Alan. I can’t let the day go by without telling you how very much I appreciate your sermon today. Your subtly veiled theme, opened by the account of an election of a bishop, would have been comfort enough. But then when you removed… Continue reading
Trinity Church, Newport presents a Lenten teaching series on “Walking with Giants – Meeting Spiritual Teachers”, Sundays at 9am-9:40am, Honyman Hall (February 14-March 13). March 13 “Mindfulness” introduced by Christine Bevilacqua. Christine writes “The practice of mindfulness helps us to better understand the interplay of mind, body and Spirit. It serves as a wonderful complement… Continue reading
Twenty Nine Years Ago today, my beloved Wendy and I were married – married by civil license in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Subsequently the wedding was blessed by our dear friend and guide, Bishop Peter Ball. Actually our marriage has had the resounding peal of blessing throughout all these years and before… and I know years… Continue reading
I was totally unprepared for the spiritual kindling of heart and the engagement of mind that preparation for this Sunday class brought me. Bernard of Clairvaux, I knew, spoke eloquently of love and grace but (now I know) also of the opportunities to experience the divine. I hope you find these notes inspire you to… Continue reading
This sermon on the “Unburnt Bush” in Exodus chapter 3 was great fun to prepare and very helpful upon reflection. I broke a cardinal rule in sermon-onics by one too many introductory comments but I just could not resist. Below the sermon audio is the sermon text (they are not, ever, exactly the same). Click… Continue reading
Sermon Audio, Click link below… Ash Wednesday Sermon February 10 2016 Trinity Church, Newport, RI The Reverend Alan Neale “If God made it, He loves it” Some years ago I took up canvas, needle and thread and began to needlepoint. The unique joy of creating something that I… Continue reading
The stunning picture of Trinity Church, Newport was taken by friend and parishioner Pieter Roos. Apparently the scene attracted a group of people with iPhones and cameras memorializing the view. This is what church should be… a place of transformation attracting others to stop and look and wonder. “Communities of miraculous expectation and glorious transformation”… Continue reading
(The glorious picture of a transformed Trinity Church is by skillful kindness of Pieter Roos) It’s now 4:45pm on Saturday. Tomorrow is the last Sunday before Lent begins (Ash Wednesday) February 10th. Tomorrow we prepare for a “No Alleluia Zone” of seven weeks; so come to worship and shout out, sing lustily those “alleluias”. Who… Continue reading
Tomorrow Sunday February 7th is the last of a five part series “Discovering Divine Magic in Daily Lives”. I have been so very encouraged and inspired by the growing numbers at this series and by the readiness to learn and discuss; truly never before in my experiences of parish ministry. Well done, Trinity Newport Rhode… Continue reading