Tidying Up
On NetFlix, I happened upon a new series starring Marie Kondo called “Tidying Up,” which is about decluttering one’s home so that one’s joy and freedom may flourish. Marie Kondo…
Author: Janine Schenone
I am the rector (senior pastor) at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego, California.
Coming Home to Authentic Life
Social scientists, psychologists and theologians have pointed out the importance of community and love attachments to a joyous and purpose-filled life. At the same time, they have pointed out the…
Repainting the Church
In his book Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton writes, “If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change. If you leave a white post alone it will soon be…
Digging Deep for Support in Lent
I have been watching the massive construction efforts on Genesee Avenue for weeks now as the main supports for San Diego’s new trolley tracks are being placed. First a massive…
The Force Awakens
[Preached at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego, CA on Christmas Eve, 2017] The Force Awakens A long time ago in a civilization far, far away, a hero named…
The God of Detours
How common it is to experience disappointment and a sense of abandonment by God when we adopt a course that we believed to be God’s will, only to experience it…
Truth Shall Spring Up from The Earth
[Sermon preached at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church on 8/13/2017 in San Diego, CA] My usual sermon preparation work begins two weeks before a sermon, when I look at the readings.…
Preaching While White
I recently returned from an international preaching conference titled “Preaching on the Borders” in San Antonio, Texas. The conference is a combination of worship sessions with preaching from stellar preachers,…
Repairing the Breach and Restoring the Streets
[Sermon delivered at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, San Diego, on 2/5/2017] My sisters and brothers in Christ, Our country is deeply divided. Americans either love or HATE the movie…
When Imperfection Is Perfect
I recently returned from my uncle’s funeral, at which his longtime companion Betsy said to me, “Sometimes I read your blog.” “Wow,” I said. “I haven’t written there for a…
The God of Slow Time
In January, I was the recipient of a great privilege: over three weeks of vacation and rest between my previous post at All Saints Church and my new post as rector…
Run for the Border
[This sermon was preached at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA on my final Sunday there on January 3, 2016 before I leave to assume my duties as Rector of…
Pregnant with Transition
In our Gospel reading for December 20 (Luke 1:39-55), we hear of the meeting of two pregnant women, Mary and her relative Elizabeth. Pregnant women often compare notes, to find…
Learning to Walk in the Dark
Recently, I have been thinking about being in the dark, both the literal darkness of short days and the figurative darkness of uncertainty and worry. That’s because I just read…
