St. Thomas Episcopal Church Sermons

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: The Unnamed Woman

In this week’s podcast, Bishop Melissa Skelton—the first woman Archbishop in the Anglican Church of Canada and, most recently, the Diocese of Olympia’s Provisional Bishop before Bishop Phil LaBelle was called—reflects on this story. Bishop Melissa will come to bless the stained-glass windows at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, Washington during a dedication service on Sunday, January 25, 2026. 
As Bishop Melissa notes in our conversation, the story of the unnamed woman who washed Jesus’ feet invites us to bring our love and affection as we welcome Christ among us. In Luke’s telling, she is an outsider among insiders—someone with no power or privilege—yet she performs an extraordinary act of worship. She kneels at Jesus’ feet and pours out her tears and costly perfume, offering her whole self in prayer and devotion. Her act of love moves Jesus deeply.
This story reminds us that we, too, are invited to offer our whole selves to God—to pour out our hearts in prayer without holding back, and to show our love through hospitality and care for the Christ who is always among us.  
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
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The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

To Be a Saint: Fully Involved Holiness | The Rev. Edmund Harris | November 2, 2025

On All Saints’ Sunday, Father Edmund invites us to rethink what it means to be holy. Sainthood isn’t perfection or distance from the world—it’s the courage to be fully involved in it. Drawing on Luke’s Beatitudes and a reflection by Rowan Williams, he reminds us that holiness takes shape when we love those the world overlooks, live out our baptismal promises, and make space for God’s kingdom to grow right here, in the middle of the mess.
#StThomasMedina #EpiscopalChurch #AllSaintsSunday #HolinessInAction #Beatitudes #Luke6 #Episcopal #CommunityOfSaints #FaithInAction #SacredEveryday

The Way of Humility | The Rev. Liz Costello | October 26, 2025

In this sermon on Luke 18:9–14, the Rev. Liz Costello explores humility as both grounding and grace-filled. The Pharisee and the tax collector’s prayers reveal two ways of seeing ourselves before God: one closed off by pride, the other opened by truth. Mother Liz connects this parable to the Latin root of “humility”—humus, meaning earth—and reminds us that to be humble is to stay near the ground of our being, where God’s love and mercy meet us.
#StThomasMedina #EpiscopalChurch #Proper25 #Luke18 #MotherLizCostello #GroundedInGrace #Humility #FaithAndGrace #SundaySermon

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Mary & Anna

The story of Mary and Anna, or the Presentation, begins when Mary brings the infant Christ to the temple in accordance with Jewish law. Parents would bring their infant to the temple to give thanks to God for the mother and child’s survival of childbirth. Mary and Joseph bring two pigeons—an offering that reveals their humility and poverty, fitting for the One who would model humble love for the world. Our Episcopal rite of “Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child” finds its roots in this story, and the Feast of Candlemas commemorates it.  
In the temple, Mary (and Joseph) encounter Anna (and Simeon), a prophetess who had spent her life in prayer. After her husband’s death, Anna devoted herself to God, patiently awaiting the day when redemption would be revealed. When Mary enters, carrying the infant Christ, Anna’s weary eyes recognize the fulfillment of every hope she had prayed for. In the meeting of these two faithful women—one young, whose “yes” to God changed the course of history; one old, whose lifelong faithfulness is fulfilled in this moment—we witness hope passing across generations as God’s kingdom breaks into the world. Their witness, as bearer of the Word and prophetess, calls us to embrace steadfast faith in our own lives.
This week’s podcast conversation features the Reverend Mary Bol, who serves as both Vicar of St. Michael’s South Sudanese Church and Pan-African Missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. She is recognized as the first South Sudanese woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in the United States. 
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
_____________________________________________
The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

Persevering with God | The Rev. Liz Costello | October 19, 2025

In this week’s sermon, Persevering with God, Mother Liz Costello explores the stories of Jacob wrestling with the angel and the persistent widow before the judge. Through these readings, we’re invited to embrace an active, questioning faith—one that leans on God’s help even as we persevere through struggle. (Psalm 121 reminds us where our help truly comes from.) #StThomasMedina #EpiscopalChurch #SundaySermon #FaithInAction #Perseverance #WrestlingWithGod #WithGodsHelp #Psalm121 #MotherLizCostello #BeingWith #WorshipTogether

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Ruth & Naomi

The story of Ruth and Naomi begins in a time of famine when Naomi leaves Judah with her family. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return home. Ruth, however, refuses to abandon her: “Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). In Ruth’s steadfast devotion and loyalty, we glimpse the very heart of covenant love—a love that mirrors God’s faithfulness to us. Their journey from grief to new life in Bethlehem reminds us that God is always at work weaving hope out of hardship.
We're especially thrilled to share this week’s podcast conversation with The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. 
Bishop Ruth is not only a gifted preacher and compassionate leader but also a friend and mentor of mine. Many of you may remember her visit to St. Thomas when she preached at our Celebration of Mutual Ministry at the beginning of my rectorate. Since becoming bishop, she has led a remarkable ministry of reconciliation, with a strong commitment to anti-racism work, LGBTQ advocacy, and building bridges between Episcopalians and ACNA congregations in her diocese. Her work is a living witness to the reconciling love of Christ, making her reflections on Ruth and Naomi’s story of steadfast loyalty and restoration especially moving.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
_____________________________________________
The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

Faith for the Time Being | The Rev. Edmund Harris | October 12, 2025

Father Edmund Harris reflects on what it means to be faithful “for the time being.” Drawing on Jeremiah’s message to the exiles in Babylon and the story of the grateful Samaritan leper, this sermon invites us to cultivate steadfastness and gratitude—two sides of the same faith. We are reminded that God is present not only in times of triumph but also in our waiting, endurance, and thanksgiving.
#StThomasMedina #EpiscopalChurch #BeingWith #FaithForTheTimeBeing #FatherEdmundHarris #Steadfastness #Gratitude #Jeremiah29 #Luke17 #MainlineFaith #WorshipTogether #FaithInAction #EpiscopalLife

Saint Francis the Healer | The Rev. Liz Costello | October 5, 2025

Saint Francis was many things—a lover of animals, a poet of creation, a radical peacemaker. But what if we saw him first as a healer?
This week, The Rev. Liz Costello shared stories of Francis that remind us how to sit with others in their pain, recognize their dignity, and seek healing—even when agreement is impossible.
“May we be like Francis, who when he approached people, sought to honor their dignity and offer comfort when health wasn’t possible.”
#SaintFrancis #FeastofStFrancis #EpiscopalChurch #Healing #FaithInAction #BeingWith #StThomasMedina #BlessingOfTheAnimals #ArchbishopSarahMullally #FranciscanSpirituality #PeaceAndHealing #ChurchLife

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Miriam

I’m delighted to share the second stained glass window design: Miriam. You can view it digitally by clicking here. 
I’m especially excited to share this podcast about Miriam because our guest is arguably one of the most influential Hebrew Bible scholars of our time—and a dear friend—Dr. Ellen Davis. 
Dr. Davis is known for her expertise in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament theology, agrarian studies, and the intersection of holy scriptures and art. She has written extensively on biblical interpretation, including influential works such as Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture, Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament, and Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament, and countless commentaries. Her forthcoming book, Light Within Light: Psalms and the Arts of Insight (with Rabbi Shai Held and artist Makoto Fujimura), blends biblical translation, visual art, and theological reflection. Her deep interest in art inspired by biblical stories made her especially delighted to reflect on our stained-glass window of Miriam.
As Dr. Davis shares in the podcast, Miriam’s story is a pivotal moment in the Jewish Bible. After the Israelites cross the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army is defeated, Miriam leads the women in song, taking up a tambourine as they proclaim: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:21). This is the first recorded instance of a woman leading worship in Scripture, marking her role as both prophet and leader.
Her song is more than a celebration—it’s an acknowledgment of God’s deliverance and a way of guiding the people to remember this act of salvation. Through her leadership, Miriam models communal worship and theological reflection, showing how music and ritual can anchor a community’s understanding of God’s power and faithfulness. And even as a child, Miriam demonstrated remarkable courage: she saved her baby brother, Moses, placing him in a basket and following him until he reached Pharaoh’s household, where he was adopted and cared for.
While Miriam, Aaron, and Moses did not always see eye to eye, her successes and struggles in leadership offer timeless lessons for church leaders today. Listen to Dr. Davis reflect further on this story in part two of our Stained Glass Window podcast on biblical women.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
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The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Sarah & Hagar

I’m delighted to introduce the first of eight podcasts that explore the biblical stories behind the stained-glass windows. Each episode will feature a guest who will help unpack the stories. Our podcast on Sarah and Hagar features Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai.
I invited Rabbi Weiner intentionally, because this story is, first and foremost, a Jewish story—a story that Christians have inherited from the Hebrew Bible. As Rabbi Weiner explains, Sarah and Abraham’s story is central to Jewish identity. God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled through Sarah’s son, Isaac, making her a matriarch of Judaism. Hagar and Ishmael are part of that story too. Christians trace the covenantal line through Abraham and Isaac, fulfilled in Christ, which means Sarah is a matriarch for us as well.
Hagar’s story is a powerful story of resilience. She is the first person in the holy scriptures to name God. Cast out and alone in the wilderness, Hagar calls God El Roi—“the One who sees me.” God stays faithful to her, making sure she and her son survive.
For Muslims, Hagar is also a matriarch, since Ishmael is considered an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad. During the hajj pilgrimage, Muslims visit the place where they believe that God caused water to spring from a rock to save Hagar—the Zamzam Well.
This story, with its joys and struggles, connects Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as these three Abrahamic faiths trace their beginnings back to Abraham and Sarah.  
While the story contains tension and division, it also speaks of hope and God’s faithfulness. In our window, we chose to depict Isaac and Ishmael looking back at one another—a quiet gesture of reconciliation, reminding us of an ongoing longing for peace and reconciliation.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
_____________________________________________
The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.