by Andres Herrera | Jun 23, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
When I was traveling recently, people asked me how we celebrate Pride here in Houston. The only answer I could come up with was… “Big!” I notice during this season that the spirit of freedom and joy extend so much farther than a single day or weekend, that it...
by Andres Herrera | Jun 16, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
Next Monday, June 19th is celebrated as Juneteenth. The holiday marks the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation was read in Galveston, TX (two years after it was penned). Sometimes people think of it as a “black” holiday, but even the oppressors get a little...
by Andres Herrera | Jun 10, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
St. Stephen’s is headed into summer mode…that means it’s time to go easy and to connect with each other. We are engaging in two new efforts: We have removed the back pews so we can gather inside for hospitality. We are also encouraging everyone to greet someone they...
by Andres Herrera | Jun 2, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
A famous icon of the Trinity is drawn to depict three figures gathered at table with the viewer as the fourth. At the heart of the doctrine of the Trinity is the conviction that God’s essence includes community, it seems to suggest. On Sunday we will mark...
by Andres Herrera | May 26, 2023 | Uncategorized, Blog
At its inception, the Christian Church was viewed by the Roman Empire as a sect within Judaism and was thereby protected from Roman persecution. Two historical events united to dissolve Christian protection from Rome: the Bar Kockba revolt in Jerusalem which...
by Andres Herrera | May 12, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
These are the opening lyrics of a nineteenth century lament of a young enslaved child being sold away from his or her mother to a white person as property. The rendition by Odetta is particularly haunting; you can listen here: I recall when my mother died and the...
