Piety Hill Musings

The ramblings of the Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit. Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 160 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

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Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Monday, June 27, 2016

Seeking a sign? - Rector's Rambling for June 26, 2016

The St. John’s electronic signboard was installed in 2007, replacing an old, manually changed letter sign that had deteriorated with age.  This new sign is larger, more prominent, and has an angled, two-sided face to make the messages viewable from both directions on Woodward, as well as when you are stopped at the traffic light on Montcalm and the Fisher Freeway Service Drive.
Among the regular rotation of signs are our Sunday Service Schedule, Web site, and invitations to come to weekday services on the appropriate days.
At other times, we run signs for Holy Day special services, events, and guests.  Other signs include an invitation to “Pray Here for the Tigers” as was once proclaimed on a banner on the side of the church.
Occasionally we run a series of one-week teaching signs, including our “Deadly Sins? Grace wins!” series running right now, with a short explanation of a deadly sin, and its remedy.
It has been interesting to see reaction to it.  When “Pride” was on there, someone called the office to complain that it was a slight against them (ironic since the sin of pride would have you think everything is about you anyway).  No one called about “Envy”, and this past week if “Sloth” offended anyone, they were too lazy to call to voice that concern.  “Gluttony”, “Lust”, “Anger” and “Greed” will appear in the coming weeks.
For every deadly sin listed there is a positive remedy posted as well.  But as the master series sign points out, even though we have Deadly Sins, Grace wins!  Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death, and by His merits we can begin to live lives worthy of our calling.
The sign board is a fun teaching tool, which also lets the world know we are here and open.