Chris Yaw

I am a Christ Lover

ABOUT ME

Chris Yaw

Welcome! I’m an Episcopal priest serving a congregation in Metro Detroit... With a passion for gun safety... A zest for online Christian formation... A zeal for video blogging... A budding writer... A heart for those who have unintentionally harmed... A commitment to workforce housing... A love for marrying people... And a wonderful wife, three kids, and a cat... If we have common interests or not, I'd love to connect with you.

Me

Contact Details


  • St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. Twelve Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan, 48076, USA


  • +011 248-557-5430


  • chris@stdavidssf.org

How Can I Help?

St. David's

I have served as rector of St. David's Episcopal Church in Southfield, MI for 16 years, join us Sundays in person or via zoom.

St. David's Gun Disposal

Working on the issue of unwanted gun disposal, we've made some real progress in helping rid the U.S. of unwanted firearms.

ChurchNext

Since 2013 we have been helping people learn more about faith through our online learning courses at ChurchNext.

Oakland Housing

Helping middle income families get better housing is a challenge that Oakland Housing has been addressing for 75 years.

Hyacinth Fellowship

Because hurting others hurts us, the Hyacinth Fellowship organizes support groups and reminds us that we are not our worst mistakes.

Yaw Wedding

I have been officiating for more than 20 years and continue to find joy in helping couples build lifelong relationships.

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U.S. Guns Produced Today
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Americans Accidentally Killed Today
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Homeless Americans
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Weddings Performed

Blog

  • Who Is Your King?

    Who Is Your King?


     

    Who is your king?


    Why? Because these days Christianity is being tested: from where comes our salvation? Governments or political offices?
    Do we fuse the sacred cross with a temporal flag, creating a dangerous, unholy alliance
    Is God a Democrat, or Republican, or an American? Would God, then, be on the side of a particular Nation, and a particular interpretation of scripture, all the while, demonizing all others?

    We must be very careful these days, O Saints of God, that we try not to capture and control God, to make the Lord a servant of our own political agenda.

    In Sunday's Gospel we hear the story of the Transfiguration, and a bold declaration of Jesus' kingship, heard in a voice from a cloud, 'This is my son, my chosen, listen to him!'

    And what might he say to us today?

    You know what Christian nationalism is, and how it's on the rise, but let's be clear, this ideology is nationalist, but it's not Christian.

    We must not limit the boundless love of God to a political ideology.

    We have one God, one Lord, one savior, who makes himself known high up, upon that transfiguration Mount, and deep down in the depths of our hearts. Let us listen to none other than him.

  • Beyond Betrayal

    Beyond Betrayal

     


    Has someone betrayed you?

    Have they talked behind your back, stolen your girlfriend, or trampled all over you just to get that promotion?

    Learn a lesson from Joseph whose jealous brothers sold him into slavery.
    Joseph was not spiteful or vengeful, he didn't look back, but looked forward:

    What was God doing? God was still with him! What good might come of this?

    Joseph's decision to get through, not get even, led to the very survival of the Jewish race!
    Because God can use your betrayal.

    Jesus takes this a step farther when he tells us not just to ignore our enemies, but to actively wish them well - to love them.

    We'll hear both stories this weekend, and will be reminded that God uses the harm that comes our way.

    It may awaken you. It may make you more aware. It may spur you to new levels of growth and understanding. 
    Sure, it hurts, but don't take the bait and react, calm down and reflect!

    Your betrayal may just be God's beginning of something big and better.

  • Here's What It Means to Be Blessed.

    Here's What It Means to Be Blessed.

     

    When Jesus said '“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." What if he was talking to the person who had been so stricken with the plight of the downtrodden that he had given all his money away to help?
    Ya, that newly poor person he would be blessed.

    When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled." What if he was talking to the man who had emptied his pantry to give to those who were starving?

    When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." What if he was talking to the person who was so taken with empathy for the needs of his hurting neighbor, that he was reduced to tears?

    When Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man." What if he was talking to the man who had stood up for a righteous, yet unpopular cause, like the human rights of the immigrant, the poor, the suffering, the transgender person, and was being barraged with hate?

    And when Jesus said, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." What if he was talking to people who were holding onto too much of their money and possessions and had turned a blind eye to the suffering?

    When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry." What if he was talking to people who had refused to share their food?

    When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep." What if he was talking about people who refused to pay attention and be moved by the plight of the less fortunate?

    And when Jesus said, "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets." What if he was talking about people who chosen popularity over purpose - not to get involved in anything outside their comfort zone, do anything controversial, or potentially upsetting to their charmed life?

    Jesus is convinced that the best life a human being can live, is the one they give away - that we are truly blessed when we help the poor, hungry, and hurting -

    And that our souls really suffer when we hoard, ignore suffering people, and refuse to get involved in anything that might be dangerous, inconvenient, or unpopular.

    May God grant us courage and wisdom and strength to be blessed.

  • I love you so much I can't stand by

    I love you so much I can't stand by

     


    I love you so much I can't stand by.

    When the suffering turns deadly, the danger too great, the pain too strong - it's time to heed our better angels: who won't sit still or stand by in the face of pain, injustice, and suffering.

    Because love can't stand by.

    You know it well - it's why you open your wallet for the needy, volunteer at your charity. and support your house of worship whose ostensible mission is to help those who are not its members.

    This is why God sent Jesus: after watching his harried and suffering children tie themselves in knots of greed, violence, and selfishness.

    God could not stand by - so God sent love in the flesh.

    Love drops the nets, heeds the call, and follows - which is at the heart of the calling of the fishermen-disciples that we will hear this weekend.

    What is so big, so pressing, so heart-piercing that's nudging you to drop the nets?

    How are you coming face to face with the world's need that you are being drawn, interested, and persuaded that something more needs doing?

    Don't stand by. Don't sit still. That's not what love does.

    See you Sunday.

    When the suffering turns deadly, the danger too great, the pain too strong - it's time to heed our better angels: who won't sit still or stand by in the face of pain, injustice, and suffering.

    Because love can't stand by.

    You know it well - it's why you open your wallet for the needy, volunteer at your charity. and support your house of worship whose ostensible mission is to help those who are not its members.

    This is why God sent Jesus: after watching his harried and suffering children tie themselves in knots of greed, violence, and selfishness.

    God could not stand by - so God sent love in the flesh.

    Love drops the nets, heeds the call, and follows - which is at the heart of the calling of the fishermen-disciples that we will hear this weekend.

    What is so big, so pressing, so heart-piercing that's nudging you to drop the nets?

    How are you coming face to face with the world's need that you are being drawn, interested, and persuaded that something more needs doing?

    Don't stand by. Don't sit still. That's not what love does.

    • SAY HELLO TO ME

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    ADDRESS

    St. David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. Twelve Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076 USA

    EMAIL

    chris@stdavidssf.org

    TELEPHONE

    +011 248-557-5430

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