Saint Mark's Episcopal Church Burlington

09/06/2026

Good morning and welcome to our service.
Unfortunately our guest minister is unable to be here this morning. Today we're lead by Steve Cunha in an abbreviated service.

09/04/2026

LABOR DAY

Historians commonly describe the late 19th century in the United States as a “Gilded Age.” In the post-Civil War period, what had been an overwhelmingly rural economy entered a period of rapid industrialization and urban growth. The separation between owners and workers began to expand, and by the 1880’s, a very few were becoming extraordinarily wealthy and often flaunted their wealth (hence, the “gilded age” nickname). At the same time, ordinary industrial workers wages lagged far behind despite the fact that it was their labors which were critical to industrial expansion.

What we now call Labor Day emerged in this historical context, first in the form of a parade in New York City in the 1880’s culminating in a fundraising meal in support of emerging labor unions and eventually as a federal holiday. Although an international worker’s day on May 1 began to be observed, this country established the first Monday of September as Labor Day.

As often happens over time, the original purpose of Labor Day has largely become lost, giving way to being celebrated as an end-of-summer three day weekend before fall schedule demands resume.

I invite us to recall the origins of Labor Day this coming weekend, being thankful for the ways in which the tasks of our lives which can provide us with a sense of meaning and purpose. It is not an especially “churchy” holiday, but our lives having meaning and purpose is not lacking in spiritual importance.

—Stephen

09/02/2026

We're kicking off something we've been working toward all year.

Sustainable Faith: An Interfaith Season of Creation is a weekly series of personal essays from faith leaders across Massachusetts, each writing in the first person about how their tradition moves them to act on climate. Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist voices, speaking plainly about what they hold sacred and why this moment matters.

Our Executive Director, Rev. Michael Reed, opens the series. He was once taught that this earth is "just a clean bus stop", somewhere temporary, not worth caring for. His essay is about why that story never sat right, why more climate data isn't moving us, and how faith can tell a better story.

New essays land every Sunday through October 11.

🔗 Link in comments to read the first piece by Rev. Michael Reed.

08/31/2026

Heading to the polls to vote on Tuesday, September 1? 🗳

PHP will have a drop off donation box located near the polling entrance, all day long!

Any non perishable, unexpired item can be dropped off at our box. If you need ideas, see our wish list here!

As always, thank you for supporting PHP! 💙

08/27/2026

ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

On August 28, the church recognizes Augustine of Hippo (354 CE to 430 CE), a convert to Christianity thanks to his mother Monica’s influence. He was about 32 years old when he was baptized and with remarkable swiftness, he was ordained and then consecrated bishop by the Christians of Hippo (a city located in what today as Algeria).

St. Augustine’s influence on the emerging theological thought of the early Christian Church can hardly be overstated. He affirmed the essential goodness of God’s Creation, despite human imperfection in honoring that creation. He made the case that the Church is “holy” in the sense of calling all people to seek holiness in the gathered faith community, not because its people have already become “holy.”

Of his many writings, the most widely known are “The Confessions of St. Augustine” and “The City of God.” Both are still essential reading for students of Christian theology and the history of its formation.

Augustine defended the faith community in the face of substantial opposition from opponents, both within Christian communities of his time and from pagan thought opposed to Christianity.

He died on August 28, 430 CE as the city of Hippo was besieged by those known in that era as “Vandals,” remaining faithful to the emerging church and remaining true to the belief in a God whose goodness is eternally powerful.

—Stephen

08/23/2026

Welcome to Saint Marks for our Service on the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, led by Rev. Stephen O. Voysey

08/20/2026

THE WEDNESDAY AFTER LABOR DAY

During my school-aged days, I never had a second thought about when the new public school year would begin. It was the Wednesday after Labor Day. Teachers only on that Tuesday, then a half day for students on Wednesday to get the homework cycle started. Then, on the Sunday after Labor Day, most churches had a “welcome back” Sunday theme.
Schools opening on the Wednesday after Labor Day and “welcome back” Sundays seemed as immutable as Christmas Day being December 25.

In the current era, schools open on any number of several August dates depending upon the school district. Having said that, the three day Labor Day weekend is still a major holiday and I suspect still equates to many folks as the end of the summer (much as Memorial Day equates to the beginning of summer).

The theme of regathering as busy autumn schedules resume will be the focus at St. Mark’s on September 13, including a barbecue of hot dogs and hamburgers and more following the 9:30 service.

Please save the date and watch for details.

—Stephen

08/16/2026

Welcome to our Service for August 16th, 2026 for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost

08/13/2026

BEARSKIN NECK

For many generations, the peninsula extending out from Rockport, Massachusetts has been known as “Bearskin Neck.” The local legend is that in about 1705, Ebenezer Babson was attacked on the peninsula by a bear. Using just a single hunting knife, he killed the bear, skinned it, and then placed the wet skin on the rocks to dry. A passing fisherman saw the drying skin and began to call it “bearskin neck.” The nickname caught on.

Who knows whether that incident really occurred, but it is true that Rockport Harbor has been an important center of commercial activity since at least the 1600’s (and very likely much further back for indigenous peoples). In winter, it is frequently a windswept place as heavy storms come ashore bashing the rocks. There are a few hearty souls who live on Bearskin Neck year round.

Today, it is a seasonal destination for visitors and locals alike, featuring restaurants, galleries, the famous Motif # 1, and small shops which have been there for many decades mingled in with businesses which come and go from season to season. Thousands of people flow up and down Bearskin Neck throughout warm season days.

I first visited Bearskin Neck when visiting my cousin and her family beginning in the 1960’s, then with a family of my own when my children were young, and now as a Cape Ann resident.

Amanda needed to repair a clasp on a silver bracelet recently. I dropped her off at the foot of the neck to take it to a jeweler (a family friend and neighbor in Westchester County, New York from Amanda’s young years), parked the car (quite a distance away on a packed summer Saturday), and then walked back to the jeweler’s shop.

As I heard visitors conversing with each other along the way, I was struck by one thing which I had not noticed in years gone by, namely, the number of languages which were being spoken. There was something comforting about people from all over the world enjoying a beautiful little seaside place in a relaxing, peaceful manner together.

At a time with so much discord in the world just now, it was as refreshing as a gentle sea breeze to be reminded that we are capable of simply enjoying one another’s company in harmony.

—Stephen

08/11/2026