Father Jonathan Rowe

A good alternative message for all of you who were planning to blame the victim again this fall.

(by The Biking Lawyer/ Tom Flood )

Word is starting to get around, so it makes sense to tell you all at once on social media so we can get it out of the way...

I'm marking the midpoint of my sabbatical by beginning the search for work *outside* the Church. This may be dismaying or disappointing news to some; to others, it will not be a surprise at all.

After a number of meetings and conversations last week, it has become clear that there is no place for me in this diocese. (Actually, the Bishop's words were 'There's lots of work, but no jobs.') Because I need a full-time position, I couldn't apply for the part-time position in St. John's, and because we're not prepared to move our daughter to a different school in the middle of Grade 11, or to move away from my aging parents, I couldn't take either of the available parishes outside the city. Likewise, I can't simply move to another Diocese.

I will always be a priest, and I hope to continue some form of ministry within the city, but I just won't be *employed* by the Church. As you can imagine, I've got many mixed feelings about this. Fortunately, I still have the benefit of another six weeks to process all this, to work out the implications this move will have on pension and health insurance, and all the other ways I've been tied to the church over the last twenty-one years. Unfortunately, it means the book I've been writing will have to be shelved for the foreseeable future (if you'll pardon the pun).

Lots of people have been quick to remind me that I have many transferable skills and gifts that would be invaluable in a lot of other fields. While I would have preferred to offer those gifts for the use of the Church, it seems that God is calling me to use them in a different capacity. I actually think that NOT working for the institutional church will give me more opportunities to be an even better priest, and care for the Body of Christ and God's People in even more exciting ways. In the strange new world we live in, there may be ways for me to work remotely (even for a different part of the Church!)

If you're still reading and are aware of opportunities for me to be a part of meaningful projects that help make a better world for everyone, please do get in touch. If you're worried about losing touch with me: please don't. My intention is to keep being able to do all the things I'm currently doing. I just won't be going back to parish ministry when the sabbatical is over.

And now, back to work. Expect more pictures of woodpiles or knitting projects soon enough.

I couldn't help myself: I had to write a sermon this morning.

Content Warning: This post contains references to Terrorism, War, and Anti-Jewish Sentiment

A Hard Sermon to Preach What if we're meant to be deeply troubled by the king's response in this parable?

When I was in the Land of the Holy One nine years ago, someone told the story of a North American who visited Jerusalem for a week, then came back and wrote a book about the Israel/Palestine conflict. Then he visited for a month, and came back to write an article about it. But once he'd visited for a whole year, he stayed quiet because he finally realized how little he understood the conflict. The more I learn, the more I understand how complicated and multi-faceted these stories are.

But that doesn't give me license to say nothing or to stop learning. Here's what I've been hearing, from people who are there, and not just armchair experts:

🇮🇱 Israeli civilians have been killed, kidnapped, and traumatized in ways I can never fully comprehend.
🇵🇸 Palestinian civilians have been killed, made homeless, and used as human shields by Hamas.
🇮🇱 A deliberate attack on Jewish people has affected EVERY Jewish person. No one in Israel has been left unaffected.
🇵🇸 'Hamas' is not the same thing as 'Palestinians', any more than ISIS is the same thing as Syrians, or MAGA is the same thing as Americans.

It drives me crazy when people say 'It's hard to know *what* to think,' as if that excuses them from thinking about things at all. Yes, the conflict in the home of my faith is a complicated thing, but some things are uncomplicated:

🕊️ There is NO solution to these problems that justifies the suffering of innocent people, on either side.
🕊️ Violence will NOT bring a solution. At best, it can prevent further destruction, but it will likely also show the seeds of future conflicts.
🕊️ You can be pro-peace without being anti-Israel or anti-Palestine, without being antisemitic or Islamophobic.
🕊️ There's a lot I don't (and can't) know about what's going on, but there's a lot of ways that I CAN find out more. And you can find out, too. Ask the questions.

A friend told me that one of the most important things I can do right now is to speak up, and so I am. And so should you. The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have asked us to fast and pray next Tuesday, and I will do that as well. And so should you (if that's a thing you do).

https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/blog/2023/10/13/statement-on-the-escalating-humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/

One of the great benefits of this sabbatical has been the opportunity for me to gain proximity and grow more compassionate and merciful, especially at the homelessness protest camp. It's been a reminder that we care for the poor and the marginalised, not in order to 'bring them to Jesus' or 'fix them' like they're a problem, but because they are also the children of God who deserve to be loved as much as I do.

Then the Church Member said, “Then, father, I beg you to have Lazarus say something after church on Sunday about the Fall Sale — for we have a lot of parishioners—that he may let them know, so that they may also come into this place of torment and support our Fall Sale.”

Abraham replied, “They have the notices in the bulletin; they should read those.”

She said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone reads out the notices after church, they will pay attention.”

He said to her, “If they do not pay attention to the social media and the printed notices, neither will they pay attention even if someone rises from the dead.”

Over the last week, I've had the privilege of listening to, learning from, and praying with and for members of the Confederation Hill housing protest. I've also been able to help link them with support from the wider community.

In the last few days, it's been apparent that there's an ongoing need for some supplies:
⛺ Tents (either for people or supplies)
🔋 Portable chargers (to recharge phones)
🚰 Water jugs (the big 5 gallon kind)

There have been plenty of bottles of water for drinking dropped off, but I've been refilling two big jugs for washing and cooking, and a couple more would be helpful to keep the camp well-supplied.

If you'd like to donate something, or contribute towards the cause, send me a message, and I'd be glad to talk about how you can help. (There may be other needs and others who are helping meet needs, but these are the ones I'm aware of, and I'll share more as I hear about them.)

📷: Heather Gillis, CBC.
[Facebook won't let me share news stories in Canada]

Although height *can* be a factor, anyone who organises books based primarily on height or colour is a monster.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, and all of Israel/Palestine. Pray for all who are suffering as a result of violence. Pray for those who are working for peace.

A young family approaches their local Anglican Church with hopes of having their baby baptised. However, what should be the start of a spiritual journey becomes puzzling...

Discover the challenges young families face in their baptismal journey and how the church can create a more welcoming and supportive environment by rethinking baptism.
https://www.jondrowe.ca/post/rethinking-baptism

The first time he ever went to the racetrack, Father Kevin, the devoted priest, was moved to bet all his money on a single race. The atmosphere was electric as eager gamblers examined the sleek, powerful racehorses preparing for the upcoming event.

Amid the buzz of excitement, Father Kevin's eyes landed on a rather unusual sight: the most rundown horse he had ever seen. Its bony frame and drooping head gave it a hauntingly sickly look. Yet, what made him stop in his tracks was the horse's nameplate that proudly declared, "Lazarus." Lazarus had once been a champion, but had declined over the years and was now only a few steps from the glue factory.

Confusion filled the priest's mind as he pondered the name. Was this a divine sign? With his unwavering faith, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a higher purpose in this peculiar encounter. And so, against all rational judgment, Kevin made a decision that would have the racetrack buzzing with disbelief.

He bet $5,000 on a horse with 80:1 odds. Other people laughed at him, but Kevin could only think of the fact that if he won, he'd take home four hundred thousand dollars: more than enough to repair the church roof and furnace. He was sure that just like in the Bible story, Lazarus would surprise everyone with a miraculous comeback.

But it was not to be.
Just like in the Bible story, Lazarus came fourth.

Sabbatical Day 25: In the last week, I started working in earnest on the 'Coffee Table Book' that I'd been threatening to write for some time.

Unlike a book meant to be displayed on your coffee table to show off how classy and cultured you are, or Kramer's coffee table book *about* coffee tables, this will be an exploration of how simple it can be for ordinary people to read, interpret, and discuss the Bible in ordinary places: like around a coffee table, or around a table in a coffee shop.

The outline of the work is pretty much finished, and the first 11,000 words are written! Stay tuned for more exciting details as they develop.

📚 Introducing "ChatGPT for Churches" - your FREE guide to understanding how to use ChatGPT in religious contexts. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a busy church person, or just plain curious, this resource is for you! 🙏

Fill in a quick survey to download your copy: https://forms.gle/jf44zeni7mCxKzoZ8

Prophets, Priests, and Prompt Engineers

My family knows that I LOVE throwing things away: not for the sake of getting rid of them, but so that the things we keep have more room to shine. 🤗

Always stand with those on the margins.
I won't be there tomorrow, but I'm fully in solidarity with those at the counter-protest.
🏳️‍🌈✊🏳️‍⚧️

So much of what we've seen in the aftermath of the pandemic has been about trying to get back to what we'd lost instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to build something better.

May we grow back, not to what was, but instead towards what we can become.

AI is smart, but sometimes takes instructions too literally.

Join us at 'Prophets, Priests, and Prompt Engineers: AI and the Church' as we flip the script on the intersection of ancient faith and cutting-edge technology. Discover the unexpected in an inclusive community. Link in the comments. 🙏🤖

L'Shana Tovah Tikatevu!

Via Matt Gallinger

Sabbatical Day Thirteen: Happy to announce that a colleague and I are building a new online community to discuss the intersection of Ancient Faith and Cutting Edge Technology over at CHURCHx.

Announcing: PROPHETS, PRIESTS AND PROMPT ENGINEERS, a group to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on society and church.

It's a FREE group to join, meeting monthly, and you can find out more at CHURCHx.ca.

AI and Church: Prophets, Priests, and Prompt Engineers The purpose of this group is to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on society and church. Together we'll explore both the ethical implications of AI and how to responsibly use these tools.

🌟 Did you know? In Newfoundland, a staggering 22% of our community battles hunger every day. That’s one out of every five. 😔

Now more than ever, we need your support to change this heartbreaking statistic.

Join hands with us, and together, we can provide hope, meals, and brighter tomorrows to those in need. ❤️
Even with $0, your voice and support can make a difference.

In which ways you can help? 🙏
• Host a Food Drive
• Host a Fundraise
• Volunteer
• Donate Recyclables

Visit https://www.bridgestohope.ca/donations to help us
Together, we can do this! 💪

Earlier this week, I was touched when someone said, "I wish YOU could be my parish priest." 🙏❤️

Now, with International Buy a Priest a Beer Day approaching this Sunday, you have a wonderful opportunity to send some virtual love, even if I'm not YOUR priest. 🍻💕

Send me a picture of a beer; what you'd drink yourself, or something you think I'd like. The best thing about doing it virtually is that you can even substitute wine, coffee, or some other social beverage! Cheers to the love and connection! 📸🥂🍻

See, the question at the end of the parable is not to which of the two sons you most closely relate.

Sons have a tendency to become fathers.
And, in a few hours, the party will end.
And each son will be faced with a choice.

In the light of my father’s forgiveness, what type of man will I become?

We Are Not the Prodigal: A Jesus Story Deconstructed If you were compiling a “Greatest Hits” album of Jesus stories, the Parable of the Prodigal Son would definitely make the cut. During his three year ministry, Jesus told many parables, …