Friends

Below you will find an update about the timing and publisher of my next book, and another chance to register for the November/December Book of Common Prayer course in our living room. We have ten folks joining us so far; it should be a great group!

But first: the Confessions of St. Patrick

You have likely heard of—and have hopefully read—The Confessions of St. Augustine. This early Christian work is a beautiful and prayerful reflection by one of the great minds of Christian history. (Some of you joined me for a few virtual sessions on this text back in 2020!)

What you may not know is that St. Patrick of Ireland also wrote a similar work about his own life. (Or perhaps you knew this all along. If so, please don't judge me for only discovering it this week while browsing the Incarnation library after service!)

I have just started reading this book, but I was struck by the parallel between St. Patrick's preparation for his missionary journey to Ireland and Jesus' temptation in the wilderness.

And it was there of course that one night in my sleep I heard a voice saying to me: 'You do well to fast: soon you will depart for your home country.'

In both cases, fasting is not viewed as a weakening ahead of a temptation or a journey, but rather as a strengthening so that a person is ready to face what is coming.

Speaking of virtues as moral muscles and habits—such as fasting—as ways of strengthening those moral muscles...

Rhythms of Habit: To be published in April/May 2026!

I am very happy to share that I have signed an agreement with CiRCE Institute to publish Rhythms of Habit in April/May 2026! I am excited to work with a publisher that focuses on the classical Christian movement, and am looking forward to partnering with them in helping schools adopt a framework of virtues as moral muscles, habits as exercises aimed at strengthening specific moral muscles, and the church calendar as an annual prescriptions of habits that can be adopted in order to holistically strengthen the moral muscles we need to become more like Christ year after year.

This framework is one that individuals and churches can also benefit from adopting, and I will be working to promote the book in those places next year. But as I spoke more with CiRCE it became clear that they are the best people to run with promoting the book within the classical school world.

The full manuscript is due February 1st, so I will be putting my head down to iron that out in the months to come. I am excited about the direction the book has taken as it has been fermenting for the past five years.

I will be provided a generous allotment of author copies, and will be planning a giveaway here as we get closer to the publication date!

There is still (some) room in my BCP Living Room class!

Register Today: Using the Book of Common Prayer (In-person)

Click here to register for Using the Book of Common Prayer!

• Sunday Evenings 8:00pm-9:30pm (November 2 - December 7, skipping November 30)
• Meets in our living room. Viv's homemade sourdough and wine included.
• $100 for all 5 sessions (Pay soon)
• Register today!

The Book of Common Prayer is meant to sustain God’s people all throughout their day and all throughout their life. A growing number of Christians are drawn to this rooted, beautiful text, but few have had a solid introduction to its history and purpose or an overview of how to actually navigate this rich resource.

Join me for five classes over the course of five weeks this fall. We will meet in our living room, or in someone else's living room, depending on the size of the group. Expect plenty of time for engaging conversation and hands-on practice each session. Outside practice with the BCP is required.

Units include:

• History and Purpose of the Book of Common Prayer
• Navigating the Book of Common Prayer
• Using the Book of Common Prayer in your daily life

Note your Interest Today: Here There Be Dragons (Virtual or In-person)

Click here to indicate your interest in Here There be Dragons. Commitment and registration to follow.

• Meeting times TBD. Five discussion classes spread out over the semester, with time to read in between.
• $100 for all 5 sessions. (Pay later. Simply indicate your interest today.)
• Indicate your interest and class format preference today; formal registration will come in early 2026.

A semester-long introduction to classical moral theology cleverly disguised as a reading course about dragons. This is an accelerated version of a course I am teaching Logic School students on Fridays this year. Outside reading required between sessions.

Units include:

• This is a Created Universe
• You are a Moral Being
• You are a story and you are part of a story
• Reading everything in light of Reality.