The Priest’s Corner – Hope Episcopal Church

The Priest's Corner

The Rev. Michael LaRue

Priest-in-Charge

December 23, 2021

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

I have just been told that Bp. Doyle will be the celebrant Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. Please make him welcome!

Peace,
Fr. Michael+

The Rev. Michael LaRue

Priest-in-Charge

December 23, 2021

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

I woke up with COVID symptoms this morning: fever, a significant loss of smell, and a bad headache. With these symptoms, I must self-isolate. Canon Saylors will celebrate Christmas Eve mass at 7 p.m. Friday, December 24th. December 26th will be Morning Prayer at 10:30. The other Eucharists, including the Christmas Day Eucharist and the 8 a.m. service on Sunday, are cancelled.

I am deeply saddened to be leaving without saying goodbye to everyone as I had planned. If something can be arranged for us to get together and do that, that would be wonderful. You have been a most welcoming and delightful parish to serve, and I will miss you all more than I can possibly say.

“I will not say ‘Do not cry’ for not all tears are evil.”

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you all in the arms of His mercy.

Peace,
Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

September 14, 2021

Hope Church: Hurricane Nicholas SITREP

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

Our present status is that we have one parishioner without power, and one who has not yet responded. Judge Hidalgo has asked us to stay off the roads today, if possible, because of road débris. If you are without power, or in need of a place to go, please let us know: I am prepared to open the parish hall for shelter, cooking, etc.

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

September 13, 2021

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

Due to the Tropical Strom alert services are cancelled at Hope Church today through Wednesday morning (Mon, Sep. 13th – Wed. Sept. 15th). I will make a decision about Evening Prayer and Bible Study on Wed. morning.

– Fr. Michael+

____________________________________________

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) remains activated at Level III-Increased Readiness and is monitoring tropical storm Nicholas. Based on current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Nicholas is expected to make landfall along the middle TX coast this evening.

Heavy rainfall of up to 3 to 4 inches per hour is expected to move into our area with the greatest threat south of the I-10 corridor. Street flooding and rises along rivers, streams, and bayous are likely. Tropical storm force winds are also likely along the coast and into portions of Harris, Fort Bend and Colorado Counties. High winds can arrive as early as 2 p.m. today. For information on bayou conditions, visit Harris County Flood Control’s Flood Warning System website.

Residents are encouraged to take the time now to check their yard and secure any loose items. Once heavy rain arrives, please stay indoors and off the roads. Remember, only call 911 in an emergency as first responders will be stretched thin during this weather event.

A flash flood watch is in effect for areas along and southeast of US 59. If your home floods, please stay home as this will be the safest place. If water rises, do not go into your attic as you can be trapped and risk drowning. Do not walk, swim or play in flood waters. Debris, wildlife, and other dangers can cause serious injury or even death.

Monitor local media and other trusted sources for weather and other information often over the next several days.

If you must drive, slow down and leave additional space between you and other vehicles. NEVER drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don’t Drown! Check the Houston TranStar live traffic map for information on road conditions and flooded main lanes in the region.

HCOHSEM will provide updates via social media channels and Ready Harris Alerts. You can also text “GULF2021” to 88877 to obtain the latest hurricane season updates.

================================================================

Peace,

Fr. Michael+

April 21, 2021

Remember… Tonight, Wednesday 4/21, our evening Bible Study will resume at 7:00 p.m. We will study together, ending with the brief service of Compline. We have space in the Parish Hall, observing mask and distance protocols, or you can join us via ZOOM at

https://zoom.us/j/97824497925

MEETING ID: 978 2449 7925 : passcode 7sf5Ak

Fr. Michael LaRue

April 17, 2021

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

While the other symptoms from my second shot of COVID vaccine have subsided, I am still experiencing asthma of a seriousness that I have not experienced since childhood. I see my doctor on Monday afternoon, and hope that he will provide me with new medication to speed my recovery. Until I am better recovered, I will not be praying the offices in Church. I also will not be leading Bible study. I will be celebrating both Eucharists tomorrow, but the sermons will be very short at best. I will also be taking it easy to allow my lungs to better get back to normal.

Thank you all for your prayers, patience, and kindness.

In Christ,

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

February 17, 2021

CHURCH CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER

Due to the high probability of icy roads late in the day and after sunset, I am cancelling this evening’s 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service. Ashes will be imposed (by a safe method) at Sunday’s services.

Fr. Michael+

Priest-in-Charge

Hope Episcopal Church
1613 W. 43rd Street
Houston, Texas 77018

e-mail : Fr._Michael@outlook.com
Cell : 832-475-6505

Fr. Michael LaRue

February 13, 2021

CHURCH CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER

Dear Parishioners of Hope Church,

It looked until about two hours ago that we could safely be able to have services for Sunday despite the impending inclement weather. However I received an Everbridge alert from the county about an hour ago, warning that freezing rain would be starting about sunset this evening. I have therefore decided to cancel services at the church this Sunday. I will be praying the Common Prayer at home, and broadcasting a liturgy of the Word on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

The church should be able to reopen on Wednesday for our Ash Wednesday liturgy at 7 p.m. I am very sorry to have to do this after all the other difficulties we have been through, and I ask for your forgiveness during this difficult time.

May God bless you all and keep you safe!

Fr. Michael+

Priest-in-Charge

Hope Episcopal Church
1613 W. 43rd Street
Houston, Texas 77018

e-mail : Fr._Michael@outlook.com
Cell : 832-475-6505

Fr. Michael LaRue

January 12, 2021

To the Parishioners of Hope Episcopal Church

Beloved in Christ,

We are currently facing a crisis in our church, in our country, and in our world of a seriousness that none of us have ever faced. This is a time for us to rise to the occasion, and fulfill the mission that God has called us to in Christ, with an energy and zeal that we have not been hitherto called to show. I have been much in prayer over these last few days, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as to how we could best do that.

Until the past few days Harris County had a lower number of COVID infections than the rest of the state. It looked as late as Sunday that we might be able, in accordance to the risk assessment model I had adopted, to meet safely for worship and the parish meeting. However, when I looked at the updated numbers yesterday, it was clear that the largest gathering we could safely host was ten people.

In addition, the trend of increasing infections, according to the best modeling I could find, looks like it will continue well into February, at which time our hospitals could be seriously overloaded and well into crisis standards of care. Even by this Sunday a gathering of any appreciable size (more than six) would exceed acceptable levels of risk. To add to my concerns, a new and more contagious strain of the virus has now been identified in Harris County, against which our current measures of mask wearing and social distancing may not be as effective.

We also live in a time of great political uncertainty and danger. This presents challenges few, if any, of us ever expected to face. In the midst of such danger, we must be prayerful advocates of charity, reason, and justice with mercy.

This time of crisis requires us to renew and intensify our prayers, to offer ourselves up as servants of the living God, of the grace and reconciliation of Christ in this deeply troubled world. If this is a time of spiritual warfare, in which the devices of the Enemy appear deployed in fearsome strength, it is also a time when we can be assured of God providing us the courage and the weapons to engage in this fight, if we humbly and penitently seek his aid.

Over the next few days, I will be consulting with the diocese, and with our wardens and vestry, and making plans as to how we can, with an acceptable level of risk, accomplish our canonical obligations with regards to the parish meeting, and, most importantly, arrange for worship, prayer, and study of sacred Scripture. I will not say safely, for right now there is no safety. We must not underestimate the dangers. The greatest of these dangers is spiritual, that we should let our foe overwhelm us with fear, despair, hurt, and loss of nerve, that we should forsake the fight and fail of our high calling as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. This I trust, knowing you all as I do, we will not do.

Respectfully yours in Christ,

The Rev’d Michael LaRue
Priest-in-Charge

Fr. Michael LaRue

January 2, 2021

Dear Parishioners of Hope Church,

My usual tool for estimating whether or not we have an acceptable level of risk is down—this amid reports that we have just spiked in number of cases..

I am therefore cancelling all in-person worship from tomorrow through next week, including Sunday, Jan. 10th, and urging everyone to please stay home. I will go myself to the church tomorrow and offer a Liturgy of the Word and Sermon at 10:30.

Please help me make sure everyone in the congregation gets the news.

The church office will also be closed next week.

The Peace of Christ be with you!

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

October 30, A.D. 2020

Dear Parishioners of Hope Church,

In less than 48 hours, on the Feast of All Saints, we will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist publicly for the first time in over seven months. This is an occasion of great joy for our parish. While sadly only a few will be able to be there, during next week I will be contacting those who are not there, and arranging to bring to you the Holy Communion consecrated at this Eucharist. As is my duty as the priest of the parish, I am asking you to please prepare yourselves for the Holy Eucharist by examining your conscience, and by confessing your sins to God.

For this purpose, I am attaching a copy of The Exhortation, from the Book of Common Prayer, which I ask you please to read, and a copy of a Preparing for Holy Communion, including an examination of conscience, which I also ask you to please go over.
(Click the buttons below this letter)

If any of you wish to use the rite of The Reconciliation of a Penitent and confess to a priest, I will be available to hear confessions at Hope Church (in the garden or in the chapel, depending on conditions) from 4:30 to 5:25 p.m. tomorrow, as well as after 6. Please wear a mask, and observe other safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID. You may also schedule an appointment with me, or with any other priest.

I am very much looking forward to celebrating the Holy Eucharist as a parish again, and to seeing some of you there or as I distribute Holy Communion in the coming days and weeks!

The Peace of Christ be with you all!

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

October 29, A.D. 2020

Dear Parishioners of Hope Church,
This was to be the week of Bp. Andrew Doyle’s triennial visit to the parish as ordinary of the diocese. Sadly, because of COVID, he is not able to join us. He has however promised to see us in person next year. He has recorded the following greeting to the parish, which I ask you to please watch.
Click this link for the greeting
https://youtu.be/oPFh7YIZUfY
He will also be joining us for vestry at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10^th. Vestry meetings are usually open to the public, and you are welcome to join us virtually. A link will be sent out in advance for you to do so. Also, if you have any concerns that you would like the bishop to address, please let me or a vestry member know, and we will be happy to bring them up.
Respectfully in Christ,
Fr. Michael+
+

Fr. Michael LaRue

October 24, A.D. 2020

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,
You will be glad to hear that our re-opening plan has been approved by the Diocese of Texas. It includes not only approval to celebrate the Eucharist when the COVID Threat Level permits, but also to bring the sacraments to those who are staying home from services. Our ability to re-open  “safely”, that is with acceptable level of risk, is dependent on the COVID-19 threat level in Harris County.  This is currently at Red, Level 1-Severe, where the advice is to “Stay Home, Work Safe”.  As soon as it goes down to Level 2, those who are not at special risk will be invited to come for in-person services.
Even though we are not able to meet in-person, I have decided to start celebrating the Eucharist again on the Feast of All Saints, Sunday, November 1st, 2020.  The blessed sacrament will be reserved, which will make delivery of Holy Communion to parishioners’ homes possible.  These, and other ministrations of the Church, will require certain safety measures, about which we will be informing you all
I had hoped to resume in-person Bible Study, but the current threat level will not allow for this. I believe, however, that we have resolved our technical problems.  So on-line Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, October 28th, at 7 p.m.  We will e-mailing every one on how to log on, as well as posting the information on Facebook and on the parish website.
This has been a very difficult time in the life of our congregation. I know that many of you are discouraged, as I have been. This often causes us to feel that we don’t have the energy to persevere in the disciplines of the Christian life. The only way to overcome such discouragement and despair is to practice the virtue of Hope, — something our congregation is known for!  That means, relying on God’s grace, persevering in the life of prayer, study of Scripture, acts of mercy and charity, and performing the duties of our state in life when it gets hard. Despite our distance, we are not alone in this fight, but are together in Christ, not just as parishioners of Hope Church who pray for and support each other, but as members of Christ, as part of the Holy Catholic Church, of the great Communion of Saints, supported by the overflowing grace of Christ and by an innumerable multitude of saints and angels.
The Peace of Christ be with you all,
Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

July 20, A.D. 2020

Dear parish family of Hope Church,

I was released from quarantine earlier than I expected (last Tuesday) by Houston Methodist and my GP. I was told to take it easy though, because of my asthma has, as expected, starting acting up, so far not badly. My energy level is still not quite back to normal, either. This is to be expected in my case after a serious respiratory illness, and will likely last a number of weeks. I am also supposed to take it easy, rest when needed, take my asthma medication, do my breathing therapy, and keep monitoring my blood pressure, blood oxygen, etc. — all of which vitals have been very good.

As you saw, I was able to officiate at the live broadcast of the Liturgy of the Word yesterday, and am putting in a few hours in the church office today for the first time since I became ill. I am going to try to keep as normal a work schedule as I can this week, and get back to work on the Transition Plan for Diocese, and my other duties.

I want to thank you all again for your prayers, love, and support, which have been invaluable!

May the Peace of Christ be with you all!

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

July 13th A.D. 2020
(Sixth Week after Pentecost)

Dear Parish Family of Hope Church,

I wish to express my deepest thanks to all of you for your recent prayers and signs of love and concern during my recent illness. I am happily now mostly recovered, was able to work at my desk for a good spell this past Friday — and discovered this morning at breakfast that my sense of smell is returning! I find, however, that I still tire easily, and have occasional bouts of shortness of breath and coughing.

Right now I am catching up on the work of the last two weeks. My quarantine ends Friday, and we will be broadcasting from Hope Church on Sunday. If you have pastoral needs, please make them known to me either by the parish secretary, Mrs. Dorothy Miller, or directly, and we will do all we can to meet them. The virus continues to be very dangerous in our community. I ask for your continued fervent prayer and common charity during this time of trial: Two things I have never found lacking in our congregation.

In Christ,

Fr. Michael+

Fr. Michael LaRue

July 1, 2020

Dear people of Hope Church,

I came down sick Monday night and was diagnosed this morning, based on my symptoms, with COVID-19. I am going for a test today, but my physician is confident that I have the disease, and has ordered me to self-quarantine for 14 days no matter the result of the test.

Due to my current sore throat and tiredness I am not able to lead the Bible Study this evening on Zoom. I will also be unable to record a service for broadcast on Sunday. If I am feeling better next week we may be able to resume Bible study, and I am looking in to what I need to do to live broadcast a Sunday service from home on the 12th.

My overall health is good, although I do have asthma. I will be doing everything I am supposed to to look after myself and not spread the virus, and I appreciate your prayers at this time.

Peace,

Fr. Michael LaRue+

Priest-in-Charge

Fr. Michael LaRue

June 26, 2020

Dear parishioners of Hope Church,

This is your priest-in-charge, Fr. Michael. This morning we received definitive news that the infection rate has again gone above 10% for those tested. I also received a letter from Bp. Monterroso outlining the current situation. There were four congregations that had a limited reopening last Sunday. Two of them have so far agreed to close again, and I expect the other two to follow suit, following our bishops’ advice. At this point we have no set date to reopen. We will continue broadcasting our pre-recorded Sunday Liturgy of the Word, and I am investigating how to broadcast Morning and Evening Prayer. We have also re-started weekly Bible Study on Zoom, Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

I am working on a re-opening plan for us, to be submitted to the Diocese by June 30th, setting forth *how* we will reopen when we decide that it is safe to do so. I am also investigating, under the guidance of Bp. Monterroso and the diocese, how we can safely get the sacraments and ministrations of the Church to those who request them or need them. As soon as we can safely do so, I also plan to provide opportunities for private prayer in our church.

We know that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is more powerful than any virus, and indeed than human sin which exacerbates the harm that this virus can do. However, we should not tempt the Lord our God by failing to exercise our God-given reason and use the other tools he has given us to protect ourselves and stay healthy. This trial we are experiencing gives us the opportunity grow in the life of grace, in prudence, charity, and other virtues by protecting ourselves and our neighbors, by being more assiduous in prayer and repentance, and in a deeper encounter with our Lord in the Scriptures.

I continue to pray the Office and other appointed services of the church for you all every day, and am available for spiritual help and counsel. If you have a particular need for any of the sacraments or other ministrations of the church, please let me know, and we will figure out how to make it work.

May the Peace of Christ be with you all,
Fr. Michael+

June 1, 2020

Welcome to Fr. Michael LaRue, our new Priest-in-Charge!

May God grant you a fruitful and joyous ministry among us!

Fr. Jim McGill
May 15, 2020

Dear ones,

Today, I attended a webinar with Bishop Doyle, along with the other clergy in the Diocese of Texas. The Bishop wanted to pray with us, thank us for our work, and encourage us in the work we will do together with you in order to re-gather eventually at the church for our worship. He has been very clear, from the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, that the first priority of all our churches is the safe and healthy worship of God in Christ, and that the decisions made for re-gathering will be done by parishes, only and exclusively with the direction, advice, and permission of the regional bishops.

The diocesan staff is tracking the community spread of the virus in coordination with the CDC and other medical professionals and scientists. The Bishop emphasizes that our re-gathering will be done on the basis of the best information we can obtain from the science community. He strongly urged the clergy to abstain from partisan political discussion or conflict, where, as he said, quick re-opening is seen as a Republican stance and remaining closed is seen as a Democratic one. He has remained, in my opinion, steadfastly neutral in this regard, acquiescing not to political voices, but following scientific data.

The Bishop mentioned that the CDC is recommending that all residents over 65 years of age remain at home. He has recommended that clergy similarly encourage those over 65 in their charge to remain at home. He is making no rule about clergy over 65, but has asked that we (including me) consider the CDC’s recommendation. He will support each clergy’s decision.

There are lots of ways to re-open the worship of our churches, and some will open sooner than others. Indeed, there are counties in the diocese where the rate of infection in dropping; in some cases it is close to zero. Churches in those areas will clearly open sooner than those in areas of increasing infection. In all this, the regional bishops will work with and direct the opening of each congregation. While no firm dates have been set, no churches will reopen before June 1.

The reopening of our worshiping communities will be a “long haul” effort. It will be a process that sometimes seems fast and sometimes seems slow. This process will likely take 6 months to two years to endure. In all this, patience and the will to serve God and each other are the hallmarks of our common calling. The Episcopal Church is not an “I” church. It is a “we” church. Our very love and concern for others dictates our individual actions. We do not seek the “freedom” to go out without a mask so much as that we seek to love, serve, and protect others by doing so. We must remain vigilant, in this time of testing and of temptation to use a difficult situation to differentiate ourselves from others, so that our common call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving [our] neighbor as [our]selves” remains the focus of our life and informs our actions daily.

The Bishop has sent out to Heads of Congregations a number of guiding notes designed to help us prepare for the time ahead of changing toward more “normal” activities. Since I will not be present with you when these changes take place, I have been sending all of these notices and guidance to the Wardens and other leaders in the parish of Hope Church, so that they may take counsel together, divide up the tasks to be undertaken, and work together to ensure a smooth transition to the new way of the parish being together. If you have questions about this process, please depend on your leadership for guidance. Of course, I will gladly receive any question as well, though what the Vestry decides to do, particularly after the month of May, will be up to them.

It is still my pleasure and privilege to serve you as your Interim Rector. I will continue to serve you and the God who calls us and loves us until the Day of Pentecost of this year. If you have questions of me, you have only to call or write.

In peace,

Fr. Jim McGill

Fr. Jim McGill
5/8/2020

Fr. Jim
5/1/2020

Fellow siblings of Jesus Christ,

We are halfway through the Season of Easter, in a year like no other. From what I can tell, we are braving the storm and staying at home for the good of the whole community, and our city, while not spared completely of the virus, has had relatively few infections and deaths. I know it is difficult to work, be a family, raise and teach children, be a supportive and loving spouse, or be all alone. But you seem to be doing it well! The Vestry has been calling around, and their reports are largely on the order of “well, it’s hard, but we’re doing it.”

Did you ever notice that God calls us to move forward, no matter how far forward we have come? It seems like we overcome some bad habit or difficult relationship, just to be called to take another step toward what God wants us to do or be. I have had the experience that, just when I thought I had arrived at a plateau, and just when I figured it was time to take a break, some new thing comes along to set things in motion again, some wind comes by to fill the sails, some fire begins to burn in me that makes me listen to what God is trying to tell me. Can’t a guy get a break?

I know that you are tired of Netflix and Hulu. I know that you think that making one more peanut butter and jelly sandwich will send you over the edge. I know that the buildup of laundry, while you’ve had weeks to get it all done, is making you wonder what is wrong with you. And I know that my incredibly clean workshop fairly gleams even in the corners, but I can’t seem to get started on the project that I cleaned it up for.

But you are doing well! Your faith is holding up. Many of you are watching worship on Sundays. Many are even watching two or three on Sundays! Most of you are calling friends and loved ones to remind yourself and them of the love that binds you together. Lots of you are Zooming, Facetime-ing, and Skyping so that you get to see your loved ones, even if it is electronically. There is no shortage, from my vantage point, of love, support, comfort, and connectedness among the faithful of Hope Church. And for that I give thanks to God. After all, the resurrection of Jesus is what our community is all about. The scriptures during Easter tell us that the resurrection means that Jesus forms, blesses, and comes to our community “when two or three are gathered together.” That Jesus gives peace to his friends means that Jesus means for us to give peace to one another. That Jesus understands and forgives unfaith means that we, too, are to understand and forgive. That Jesus walked with the disciples and taught them after rising from the dead means that we, too, are to walk with each other and teach one another about faith. That Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd means that he will never abandon us, will call us by name, and will lead us to green pastures and cool waters along paths of righteousness.

So lift up your drooping arms and enliven your spirits! Make another peanut butter sandwich and give thanks that there is someone in your life to make it for! Keep on keepin’ on. This time is not forever (I am led to believe). Be attentive to the next thing that God is calling you for. After all, God loves you just as you are, and God loves you far too much to leave you that way!

Hope Episcopal Church — 1613 W. 43rd St., Houston, Texas 77018 — (713) 681-6422