About Me...
I am an Episcopal priest, retired pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Paw Paw, and a person interested in genealogy, writing, and photography - among other things. I am also a retired Rotarian having served as President and Secretary for the Paw Paw Area Rotary Club. I also served for many years as the Chief Chaplain for Bronson/Lakeview Community Hospital's Chaplains' Corps.
I
am married to a wonderful woman, named, Judi, who is an ordained deacon in the
Episcopal Church and a former chaplain for Hospice for Van Buren and Cass
Counties.
Prior to being ordained a priest, I was a professor of pastoral theology at Divine Word International Centre in London, Ontario. I have degrees or diplomas from the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Divine Word International Centre, Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome), and Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois - spent more time in classrooms than I care to remember.
I'm not trying to impress you, just let you know where I am coming from. I regularly apologize to people for the miserable preaching and teaching they may have received in their lives. It is any wonder that people believe in Christ in our generation when we have done so much to bury the reality of the presence of the risen Lord in our lives with so much theological jargon.
Faith is quite simple. It is a matter of leaping into the arms of the Lord. A story: a young child is trapped in a house which has caught on fire. The dad arrives home in time to see the child at the window with the smoke and flames behind him. He calls to the child: Jump and I will catch you. The child says: I can't see you to which the dad replies: Jump. I can see you! Faith is that leap: here I am, Lord. Catch me. Guide me. Teach me. Protect me. Walk with me day by day.
Once we have made that leap, then daily conversation (prayer) is important to nurture the relationship. Prayer is the duct tape of life. Check out the Book of Common Prayer for plenty of samples and aids, or just speak to the risen Lord in your own words or in silence and let the Spirit speak to your heart.
In addition to daily prayer, the strength of other Christians is also of great benefit and can be found especially at worship. We regularly have "church shoppers" at Episcopal churches. We suggest that people come and see if this local church can help them develop their spirituality, their vision of their own worth, of their relationship with others and the things of the earth, and, of course, their relationship with God. If already a Baptized Christian, come also and share Holy Communion with us.
If I can assist you in your walk with the Lord, contact me. See the "Your Response" page.
Joseph+
