Brothers and sisters of St. John’s,

As we move forward into July and today celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, we tend to get ourselves in “vacation mode”. This usually means taking this slower and soaking up the heat and sun so we can store it up for winter. Relaxing on our patio or in the pool. Making sure our kids are safe yet enjoying their time being kids.

The Year C Lectionary, however, definitely seems to have other plans. The readings last week and now this week make us think as Paul continues to exhort the Galatians to do what is good and live into the freedom Christ offers us. But not just the Galatians of course, but all of us today.

So in the reading from Galatians 6, we see a very famous phrase that “we will reap whatever we sow.” How is your spiritual and faith life going? Are you living into the Spirit so that you may have abundant life? The summer is a good time to rest and take stock of what God might be calling each of us to do and who to be. Maybe summer isn’t a slower season for you so how might you incorporate silence, prayer, and rest in your schedule?

My friends in Christ, there is much to reap from the Spirit-filled life. Much to discover about who we are and who we are called to be when we take a moment and listen for a word from God. This is imperative if we wish to be a church that knows Christ and makes Him known. Notice that Jesus has the disciples take almost nothing into their ministry. Christ calls each of us not to bring books and paper and props to show others who He is but knows that our very selves can be enough to bring others into relationship with our God.

My prayer for you all is that each of you know that you are enough and if you don’t feel like you are enough then come to Jesus and place your burdens and anxieties on Him and let the Spirit sow onto your heart the love and peace of God. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Zach

A FAREWELL FROM: SEAN BUTLER, WARDEN

Fr. Duncan has served St. John’s admirably for nearly 11 years as Rector. In his tenure as rector, he has significantly improved the financial position of St. John’s. With his faithful leadership along with a strong finance committee, we are more financially secure than ever before.

He has been a wonderful steward of the building, often making sure the sidewalks are cleared after a snowfall, conserving the energy of the building, and wiping down the floors in a flooded basement after a rainstorm.

Fr. Duncan epitomizes St. John’s Mission of "To Know Christ and to Make Him Known” through his passion for heading several of our ministries; most notably, the HIHi initiative welcoming and feeding the homeless at our church along with purchasing food vouchers to area food chains. He is a true advocate for marginalized and vulnerable people.

He has led several mission trips to Puerto Rico and other places, spreading love, compassion and the word of Christ by helping communities in both urban and rural areas. He has faithfully led the efforts of our community garden which feeds countless individuals who have food insecurity. He demonstrates compassion and love while providing visitations to our sick parishioners at their home or the hospital as he is often called to perform the last rites.

His steady and prayerful leadership during the pandemic helped guide us through a most difficult and unprecedented time in our lives.

On a personal note, he welcomed my husband Mike and I to St. John’s in October 2016 and has been an advocate against hate and prejudice toward the LGBTQ+ community. He has marched in the Long Island Pride Parade, most recently last weekend. I will miss our conversations about the Dodgers and Yankees.

However, it is now time for Fr. Duncan to enjoy the rewards of years of dedication and sacrifice. We hope that he and his wife Barbara may enjoy a most wonderful, fulfilling and long-lasting retirement with their family and friends with a nice tailwind at their back as they sail the calm seas.

-Sean Butler, Warden

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A FAREWELL FROM: RECTOR, REVEREND DUNCAN A. BURNS

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-55)

In Luke’s gospel, the disciples are met with apathy by a group of Samaritans. They reject them because Jesus and the disciples are set on Jerusalem. Samaritans are a religious sect that follows the Pentateuch or first five books of the Bible but places the Holy Temple in Mt. Gerizim instead of Jerusalem. This difference caused prejudice and ill feelings. When the disciples James and John saw that the Samaritans were not accepting Christ, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

The bombing of Iran reminds me of another war that was started to destroy weapons of mass destruction. In 2003, when the United States felt threatened by Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction, I was serving as the press secretary’s chaplain. Most of the CIA and national security advisors found no compelling threat in Iraq. At that time three percent of Americans were opposed to invading Iraq. A million lives later and a trillion dollars and now most Americans think it might have been a mistake to reign down fire on the Iraqis. I oppose every war that is not for the preservation of American lives, and I am aware that many of you differ from my perspective. I can only tell you that Jesus offers another choice. Reinhold Niebuhr once said: "Basically love means . . .being responsible, responsible to our family, toward our civilization, and now by the pressures of history, toward the universe of humankind." The Gospel of Jesus allows us to see beyond our own times and through our own biases. Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. We have affirmed as a nation that all people are created equal by God. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus breaks down the biases of Samaritans, Gentiles, Women, Lepers, the sick, and the poor. More importantly if we are careful listeners, the gospel can break down the biases of our own day. We cannot let ourselves think for a moment that we don’t have biases. By now, you all know that I am a pacifist and that I oppose entering another war.  So how can we follow this path of love to our neighbor when we have veered in the past?  

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve these past eleven years at St. John's. I’m filled with gratitude for the countless moments we’ve shared in this parish. Together, we’ve celebrated joys—baptisms, weddings, and countless services where we’ve encountered God’s grace. We’ve also walked through sorrows, leaning on each other and on God’s strength. You’ve welcomed me into your lives, shared your stories, and allowed me to serve as your priest. That trust has been the greatest privilege of my life. Your generosity, your time, prayers, and support—has sustained me through every challenge and triumph. Whether it was a kind word at coffee hour, a helping hand at a parish event, or your faithful presence in the pews, you’ve made this community a true home. As I step into retirement, I carry with me memories of your faces, your faith, and the ways you’ve shown Christ’s love. I ask for your continued prayers, as you will always have mine. Though my role is changing, my heart remains with you. I trust that God will continue to guide this parish, bringing new shepherds to lead you with wisdom and grace. May God bless each of you abundantly, and may we always remain united in His love. Thank you, again, for everything.

In Christ's love,

Fr. Duncan

One would think that a healing, whether physical or demonic, would be a great and amazing thing to bear witness to, a cause for celebration and joy. Yet, for the villagers who witnessed the healing of the demoniac in this weekend’s Gospel reading from Luke, they ask Jesus to go away. Once they figure out it was Him who healed, they want nothing to do with him. Indeed, “they were filled with great phobos”, that is fear. But why fear when the healing should be something good and joyful?

I wonder how often we might be struck with such fear or nervousness because of a change. We are often scared of change. Denying that it's actually happening or self-medicating ourselves to numb any feelings we might have with distractions. Fear can be such a strong emotion that leads to us becoming tense or despairing. But it can also be a good tool as fuel in order to get done or move through the reality that is confronting us. In many stories in the Gospel, it’s obvious that fear is what is driving any one of the particular characters. Peter is a prime example of this. Peter falls into the water because the fear of the moment overcomes his belief in Jesus Christ. He denies Jesus because he is afraid of the consequences. Yet, Peter becomes the first Christian preacher who on Pentecost declares the truth about God and Jesus Christ and our need for Him.

Fear, like any emotion, does not define who you are. When we are confronted with fear as an emotion that arises within us, we should take stock about what is truly happening. In our faith and spiritual life, change might lead us to feel fear but as believers in a God of peace and security, such fears should always be given back to Him, trusting that He will see us through. In the weeks and months ahead, I pray that you all at St. John’s will recognize fear as it comes and then turn to God, in prayer, in community, in Scripture, and remember how much God has done and see the faith, love, and courage you all have because of God to make Him more known in this community. God bless!

In Christ,

Fr. Zach

On Trinity Sunday, we are asked to follow the Holy Spirit in our diversity, to unity in the love of God as portrayed by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and sustained in the power of the Holy spirit. Creator, God bring us into a new life of peace, hope and love. Jesus, Redeemer, renew us through your Gospel. Holy Spirit, Sustainer, strengthen and guide us in unity through our diversity. Jesus tells the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:12-13).

Jesus will show that it is only through self-giving love that they will understand the peace of God and that all people are loved and forgiven. The Trinity is steeped in theology that is too much for most of us to bear, but the idea of unity in diversity is the key to understanding three in one. “The first person of the trinity is God the Father, creator, the unoriginated origin, source, Father of the only begotten Son, breathing out the Holy Spirit. The Son is eternally begotten of the Father, receives the divine nature, essence and substance from the Father, consubstantial with the Father, the Word, image and sacrament. Holy Spirit, proceeds, consubstantial with the Father and the Son, breathed out.”

In today’s lesson, we are promised the Holy Spirit to guide is into all truth. Jesus did not leave us as orphans but left us with the Gospel. God the Father leaves us with the Holy Spirit. In today’s reading from Proverbs we hear, “Does not wisdom call and does not understanding raise her voice…On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand.” Elizabeth A. Johnson said, “Another, even more explicit way of speaking of the mystery of God in female symbol is the biblical figure of Wisdom. This is the most developed personification of God’s presence and activity in Hebrew scriptures. The word for Wisdom is feminine and Hokmah in Hebrew, Sophia in Greek. Sophia has knowledge, insight, and strength that she wishes to impart; her words are truth. She loves those who love her and promises that those who seek her will find her.” Does this not sound like God? When we say God the Father we speak of the unknowable except through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Wisdom was created before the heavens and the earth and helps us to unravel the mystery of God in feminist theological discourse. The word Sophia is used to understand truth that has stood for all time. It is past, present, and future like the words of John. As you go forward from the crossroads, I use this example of looking at God from a new perspective. Perhaps Sophia will help us to move in new directions that will bring the love of God at St. Johns to new generations. Please preserve the best of what we do at St. John’s but be open to new ways of looking at God, the Trinity, and the church.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

50 days past Easter. 10 days after the Feast of the Ascension. We have come to Pentecost. The commemoration and celebration of the Holy Spirit being sent among the early disciples and apostles and first ignition of the work of the Church. It was the spark needed, as promised by Christ Himself, for the early followers of Jesus in order to proclaim the Good News of God’s salvation. And it is still the spark needed in our Christian life and faith.

Yet, for many, that spark doesn’t seem to be there. Maybe it was there and now it is not. Maybe we feel like we’ve never had the spark. Indeed, for many Christians the Holy Spirit seems like a mystery (which isn’t exactly wrong), when, in fact, it is the gift God has given us and is meant to be accessible to all who proclaim Christ crucified. The gift of the Holy Spirit isn’t one-dimensional either. It includes many more gifts within its interior life. The fruits of the Spirit, the peace of God, the conviction and forgiveness of sin, and more. Without the Holy Spirit to direct and guide the church and our lives, then we would be “back and forth by the waves”, as Paul describes our lives without God.

In our life, we must discern the Holy Spirit and where He is leading us. Yet, too, is our own self a place in which the Holy Spirit takes up residence, as shown in the Scripture above. The Holy Spirit is supposed to dwell within us. Our bodies are temples and our lives are the fruits of this residency. While the Scripture is not one of the readings this weekend, it is important to understand the role the Holy Spirit plays in our life.

This week, my prayer is that you at St. John’s continue well to discern where the Holy Spirit is both leading this church and your very self in whatever you are dealing with in life, in order that God’s glory and love can shine through us here and you wherever you are at. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Zach

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

At the last supper in the Upper Room, Jesus speaks to the disciples. In Aramaic the word for peace is shlama. For Jewish Christians they probably used the Hebrew, Shalom. In Greek it is Erene or the place where the soul is at rest.

Jesus promises the disciples and all of us, the peace that passes all understanding. This peace is hard to grasp because it is not of this world. The world at peace is a world or family that are not fighting with one another. God’s peace is our contentment, fulfillment, completeness, soundness, satisfaction, prosperity, it is a divine dose of good or wellbeing. It brings us to wholeness of self and in harmony with God.

It has been my goal as your pastor these eleven years that God will wash you in all that is good and bring you into relationship with Jesus Christ. While some churches offer a superficial peace by setting off endorphins in your brain, Jesus offers you a lasting peace that comes through faith, worship, and prayer.

Those of us who do morning prayer together feel a bond through scripture and prayer. We feel God’s peace in our hearts and in community. This happens at noon day prayer on Wednesdays, at 8:00 in Rite I worship, at 10:00 in Rite II worship, and in community at the coffee hour. None of this could happen if Aninna, Sue, the lay ministers and the breakfast team did not give of themselves.

Our ministries like Prayer Shawl, Garden of Grace, Thrift Shop, EFM, Bible Study, St. Hilda’s Guild, Social Justice, HIHI, and Spirituality all bring us to peace in community. We are not a social service business, We bring people to God by bringing them the love and peace of Jesus Christ. We receive the goodness of God when we join together in God’s name in faith.

The world may criticize mistakes that we have done, but God keeps on sending the Holy Spirit to bring us from brokenness to wholeness and from death to life. Nothing is more important to this old grandpa then to bring the love and peace of God to the next generation. Our Nursery school children and our Sunday school children, and our own children and grandchildren are precious to us. Think of the love you have for the children and multiply it by infinity, and you might get a tiny sense of God’s love for you and God’s desire for you to have the peace that passes all understanding. Jesus will atone for the sins of the disciples in the upper room and for the sins of all mankind by his death on a cross and his resurrection on Easter. May we give all glory and praise to God for all that God has done, all that God is doing, and all that God will do. Jesus gives the promise of peace to all who believe.

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In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan

Imagine with me a perfected New York City. A Washington, DC without lying or slander. A Los Angeles full of humble residents and sacrificial lives. A Jerusalem crowded with peace and good-will.

One of my favorite Bible passages is the reading from Revelation to John that we will be reading also this Sunday. Goes without saying that I am especially excited to preach this passage for the first time. It is John’s vision of the New Jerusalem, the holy city coming down like a bride on her wedding day. A vision of the glorious city of God that is the glory of our God. Here, the love of God and the love of the Church (remember, the Bride of Christ) for our God finally meet and are finally brought together, fully reconciled.

The Gospel reading this weekend contains one of the most famous of Jesus’ sayings, “Love one another, just as I have loved you.” Many of us know well the Greek word for love being used here, which is agape, the transcendent love between God and humanity. The love that does not seek for itself return or self-interest but sacrifice and care for the other. This love reigns supreme above all others and we should know well that our Christian life should be modeled on this love, with God’s help.

In the world today, there is much talk of love. In fact, I’m not sure the message of the church is all that compelling sometimes when we talk about love and how we are supposed to love our neighbors. That is important but I’ve been convinced that the church and the world need to hear about hope. Paul in Ephesians 2 reminds that some of us “were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (v. 12).

We have a great witness to that hope knowing what is to come. The New Jerusalem, the coming of God to His people, to make His home among His people where there will be no more death, or tears, or pain. And yet, we have this now, as broken as the world all seems, to live into the glory, love, and hope we have in God.

I pray the hope of the promise of that heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, will instill in you a renewal of God’s love in your life so when you look around running those errands, doing those chores, and being among your neighbors, you will seek to serve the city and all who dwell therein. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Zach 

On this Mother’s Day weekend, we read a curious little story about a woman named Tabitha, in Greek, Dorcas. Whether she was a mother and/or widow, we’ll never know this side of heaven, but we do know the widows, presumably more likely to be mothers, admired and worked alongside her in the mission and work of the early church. Dorcas’ story is the first in Acts in which the apostles raise someone from the dead. (There is only one other, when Paul raises Eutychus after he falls thru a window in Acts 20.)

By this time, it’s almost that we’ve forgotten that the power of God can do this. This far into Acts we’ve seen mass conversions, other miraculous healing of people, martyrdoms, and the startling story of Ananias and Sapphira. But finally, we are reminded of God’s conquest over death, physical death. I think for many of us, living in this modern age, we can read these types of stories and be unsure of what to do with them. “Certainly, God doesn’t raise people from the dead anymore!”, we might be thinking. Or, “we don’t need these miracles anymore because that’s what God had to do for them, but not for us!”

Indeed, considering the fact that there are only two people in Acts who are raised from the dead, it does give the appearance that this was a unique way in which God showed his power. However, physical death isn’t the only thing God raised from the dead. The spiritual power of God includes the spiritual re-birth we need, not only when we go through a conversion experience, like Paul, but also through repentance and forgiveness. Here, do we come face to face with God’s grace, which is always available to us but should never be taken for granted. When we live into God’s grace, his unmerited favor towards us, do we begin to and rest in the goodness and holiness we are given by Him. I pray you to know intimately that the power of the Resurrection saves us from death and ushers in for us new and everlasting life through Jesus Christ. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Zach

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Happy Easter season. Thank you all for making this a beautiful season celebrating the

resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Last Sunday we had a wonderful First

Communion Service that was well attended and had great music from our choir, cantor,

and guitar players. The Swing into Spring Concert was really well done and gave

Denise, John, and Eileen a chance to show some of their best dance moves. My thanks

to the Jazz Committee, Alex, and all those who helped out.

The Easter services were well attended, the music was fantastic, the altar was beautiful,

and the egg hunt was festive. I really appreciate all the time and effort that so many

contribute to make Easter at St. John’s so wonderful.

This Sunday we will give thanks to our hard working Thrift Shop volunteers with a

brunch after the service. The garden committee is almost ready to start planting organic

vegetables for food insecure individuals in our community. Please join us on May 10th

and May 17th to plant the plants that our children have grown.

It has brought me great pleasure to serve as your rector for the past 10+ years. After

significant discernment and prayer, I have decided to retire as rector of St John’s on

August 1st, 2025. This will give me more time to spend with my wife and grandchildren.

It has been a privilege to serve this parish, and I am thankful for the kindness, love and

support from all of you. I will continue to pray for the people and work of this church.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan