St. Alban's Episcopal Church, El Cajon, CA

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

The rubrics for Holy Baptism state that the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of several days in the Church Year on which it is especially appropriate to celebrate Holy Baptism and/or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. (See The Book of Common Prayer, page 312.) The liturgy is from The Book of Common Prayer, pages 292-294.

The Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Celebrant: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and
renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?

People: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father?

People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People: I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the
prayers?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?

People: I will, with God’s help.

The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows.

May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

The monks have continued their walk in South Carolina while Aloka the Peace Dog undergoes surgery. Details - foxcarolina.com/2026/01/12/buddhist-monks-peace-dog-undergo-surgery-following-injury-during-peace-walk/

01/12/2026

Our children are watching.

They are watching as we put egos and pride and hatred before grace and humility and love.

They are watching as we stay apathetic to anything that doesn't directly impact us.

They are watching as the most vulnerable and powerless are suffering.

They are watching as our communities and our country are torn apart.

Our children are watching.

We are the ones who will determine what kind of world they inherit, and what the future holds for them.

They will reflect back to us both the beauty and the devastation we have wrought.

All we can hope for, is that somehow it will have been worth it.

That there is a higher purpose.

That righteousness will prevail.

That love will persevere.

That justice will be served.

And that our children will take the scorched earth we have burned to ash,

and rebuild.

Shared from “Shower Arguments with Emily Solberg “
page.

01/12/2026

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

JOHN O'DONOHUE
'For a New Beginning,' from his books 'To Bless the Space Between Us' (US) / Benedictus (Europe)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

Sunrise at Lough Inagh
Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill