Marco Gabriel Serrano

I don't think I'll ever get over that Mary was there when Jesus did something new in Cana, forging a new and better wine from water in jars, and was there once more in Jerusalem, when Jesus again forged something new—forged the best wine, flowing from his body instead of jars.

I may just be grumpy, but I find this stuff really depressing, and an indictment of American Christianity. I get it. You’re a “casual” church, and you don’t really “do” Good Friday. But the absolute least you can do is schedule a *carnival* on literally any other day.

@FrMatkin @tablesnorthend en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradition…

@MarcoGSerrano @tablesnorthend Well you won't get "Protestant"

Whenever a new Anglican group is formed, I find Breakaway bingo to be helpful.

@thesarjane There’s a sermon illustration somewhere in there

Toddler in airport is crying because dad won’t let him lick the floor 😔😪

Seeing all these major headlines about a “former prince” is triggering in this geriatric millennial unexpected memories of obscure, unpronounceable, symbols.

A little teaser for you. Next year, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, the First Sunday in Lent, and President’s Day are all the same day/weekend. We live in the absolute dumbest, greediest timeline. And the NFL is led by absolute morons.

@Make_it_Raines Micah 6:8 today! We love it so much (I preached on 1 Corinthians)

@MarcoGSerrano Say more?

Happy “One Sunday when Episcopalians discover the Old Testament” to all of you who celebrate.

It cannot be overstated how corrosive it is to the soul of the U.S. that to stay up on politics in 2026 is to regularly watch and analyze what are essentially snuff films. My nation is much less great than it was ten years ago. No, it’s broken.

“For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your Name.” From Morning Prayer. That word, “heritage” hits different these days. A good reminder my primary loyalty is to God’s Kingdom, and bond with those who confess the name of Christ.

St. Lucy sheds a tear every time a knucklehead refers to today as the start of the 12 Days of Christmas

I moved to New Jersey two years ago today. Biggest thing that’s surprised me: I’ve personally witnessed more car accidents these past years than the previous 40 (including 7 years in NYC) years COMBINED.

Spotify said my listening age was 81.

Broke: MAGA Woke: MAHA Bespoke: MAPA-Make Advent Penitential Again

And of the approximately 111 dioceses in the Episcopal Church, only 17 report a higher average attendance than the 114th largest church in the US (Athey Creek Church in Oregon)

Fun little fact about the relative size of the Episcopal Church: if the *largest* diocese in the entire church were a single parish, it would still only be the 29th largest church in the US by average attendance

@ArlieColes I’ve always used checks and a dedicated checking account. Petty cash is not advised.

@MarcoGSerrano And to do that audit, a record has to be created and kept when there are expenditures. Not contesting what you say at all, just elaborating for completeness/the internet -- and in total agreement that use and purpose of the use is the heart of it.

Episcopalians & other Anglicans will recognize the church funds in this story as coming from the rector's discretionary fund. This fund, earmarked for charitable purchases, is often used to buy someone a meal, alleviate an emergency hardship, put someone up a night, etc. 🧵

@ArlieColes So vestry oversight in pastoral care is all over the map. Some rectors will tally hours/visits and report back, also letting the vestry know that they’ve provided support. Others won’t. What is not typically reviewed is who receives aid and why. That’s the rector’s “discretion”

@MarcoGSerrano As far as I've seen, different parishes/dioceses may have different levels of vestry involvement (do you report every time you spend? How detailed? To the warden, or? Or only report when a potential conflict of interest? Etc), but minimally they with the parish arrange an audit.

@ArlieColes The real question is use. Bills, rent, medical needs, food, these are the heartbeat of a discretionary account. Trips, dining out, and having fun, are most certainly not

@ArlieColes I’m seeing speculation about how discretionary funds work. Vestries won’t review them, to preserve confidentiality. They are audited, which will, ideally, reveal misuse. Whether you give cash depends. Gift cards are good for strangers. Cash is fine for a parishioner in real need