These are some of the wonderful ladies of Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville,LA. Some I have met before, some were original friends and faces. Yes, or this wonderful community is populated with all kinds of folks: men folk,women folk, retired Bishops, or missionaries,mission committees, day care ministries, or youth ministries,and the historic church itself is a mission in preservation. The historic church sits in the old part of St. Francisville, a lovely small town above Baton Rouge near the river. It is generally draped with moss hanging from very old oaks. It pridefully hangs flags on a blue field with a single white star in it signifying its historic revolution from Spanish rule in 1810. The region was annexed into the original Union in 1812. So the memories and deep history of this largely English settled part of Louisiana elope deep. The current Rector of Grace Church is the The Very Rev. Dr. Roman Roldan. Fr. Roldan, or rightfully or wrongfully invited me to preach on August 26,2018. As generosity and hospitality are hallmarks of this congregation I was invited to stay in an old plantation now a B&B. The area is widely known for its famous and sometimes haunted plantations. The one that I stayed at is not haunted but its oaks and moss and ravines conspired to conjure up visions of the past. The Butler-Greenwood plantation was started in 1790 and some of the early buildings remain. I was located in what had been a very early kitchen separated from the main house. One of the fun aspects of that lovely “Kitchen B&B” was an original well with a Plexiglas cover in the floor just adjacent to a large tub. Out back was a porch with a porch swing over looking a pond with ducks and such. An oak limb framed the view and yes, it too was covered with moss. I like moss. It is just so evocative. I was taken to dinner by Fr. Roman, and his delightful wife and two wonderful parishioners at a local favorite and the food was excellent. Having filled up on fresh red fish and sharing a terrific bread pudding I headed back to my lodgings to finish preparing my sermon. It was once again St. John,waxing on approximately the body and blood of Jesus and his eternal invitation of genuine presence. I was the third guest preacher invited to speak. I suspect that Fr. Roldan wanted to avoid the often repetitive nature of this part of John’s Gospel. Wise choice because in listening to it three Sundays in a row it starts to sound like the same Gospel. Of course it isnt but it sounds like it is and thus the challenge to priests everywhere. Those that preceded me are most excellent preachers so – no pressure – apt? Canon Shannon Manning had last week and Fr. Rollins of St. Alban’s Chapel the week before. No pressure? As I was sitting and musing on, “The spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (Jn 6:63), and […]
Source: stannanola.org