November 1, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

"When people cease to believe that there is good and evil, only beauty will call to them and save them.”

We live in a post-truth society where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred. In this kind of culture, it is unlikely that we will debate people into the truth. It is even more unlikely that our anger or sarcasm will win people over. But we can be a light for the world. We can show the truth of Jesus by the beauty we bring into our communities. We can model what it looks like to lead lives characterized by generosity, grace, and kindness. We can show others another way to live. We can show sacrificial service to a world consumed by selfishness. We can show peacemaking to a world consumed by violence. We can show forgiveness to a world consumed by vengeance. The beauty of a life well-lived speaks to God’s truth much louder than angry words.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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October 25, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

Sometimes people lose their compassion and generosity because it doesn’t seem to work. No matter how much you give, there are people who refuse your help. There are people who will never change. This reality can cause some people to give up and to become cynical. They stop using their gifts for others.

As your priest, let me offer a word of encouragement: please don’t give up or give in. Embrace the fact that you cannot control people or outcomes. That’s ok. But God has given you gifts. Use them. Be generous. Help others. Continue to serve and pray and grow. That’s where life is. That’s where joy is. Regardless of the outward results.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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October 18, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans encourages us to “not be conformed to the ways of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Now, the “renewing of our minds” goes well beyond having the right doctrine. It’s about living into God’s bigger story and allowing that kingdom to be our primary reality. Often, Christians can believe the right things, but all of our energy is still consumed by the ways of this world (money, politics, power, achievement). We begin to think that the main reality is the culture around us. To be transformed by the renewing of our mind is to ask better questions and to live with better words. Holiness, communion, salvation, reconciliation, liberation, sacrifice—these words begin to define how we live much more than our cultural labels.

As we continue our emphasis on stewardship this month, here are some better questions to ask ourselves:

  • How can I live a holy life?

  • Who can I serve?

  • In what ways can I be more generous?

These are the questions that should concern us the most.

To be clear, the concerns of our culture do not become unimportant, but we are now seeing these issues from a bigger and better perspective. We are now seeing people through God’s eyes. We are now seeing ourselves as being a part of God’s bigger story.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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October 11, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

Over the next few weeks, we will be asking each person in our parish to consider their own stewardship in terms of time, gifts, and service. We do this each year because it helps the church in terms of recruiting new volunteers for ministries and in our ability to plan next year’s budget. With that said, the primary goal of stewardship is discipleship. It is an opportunity for each of us to consider God’s calling on our lives and to consider the areas in our life where we need to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Here are some helpful questions for reflection:

  • How might God use me to bless others in the coming year?

  • Where is God calling me to serve?

  • How do I need to shift in my life to make worship and prayer a greater priority?

  • What is my plan for Christian formation and reading scripture?

  • How might I simplify my life so that I can be more generous this year?

As your priest, please know that I am incredibly excited for all that God is doing in our church and I am praying for each of you as you consider your own discipleship journey.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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October 4, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

How we live in this world is largely determined by how we see this world.

Capitalism teaches us to see the world as a market. In a market place it's all about selling and buying. You are either a consumer or producer. As a result, we see life as a way of gaining certain goods and then protecting those goods from others. In this worldview, we tend to see people (and God) in a transactional way. Can they improve my life or status? Or do they threaten my position and possessions? This perspective produces much ambition, but it's an ambition often based on fear and insecurity.

Politics teaches us to see the world as a place of competing powers. It's all about winning and losing. In this worldview, we tend to see people through the lens of tribalism. Them Versus Us. Good Guys Versus Bad Guys. This perspective can produce a strong desire for justice, but it often leads to a "win-at-all-cost" mentality where we demonize others.

With both worldviews, we slowly lose a sense of the sacredness of life. We then not only mistreat each other and exploit creation, but we also lose our sense of meaning. We lose sight of what is most important. In a world that is secular, nothing is holy, which means nothing really matters. Thus, we become indifferent and cynical. We take life for granted. We take each other for granted. We take God for granted.

But a truly Christian perspective sees the world as a temple; the location of God's presence. This worldview allows us to see the intrinsic worth of all creation, which includes people, but also plants and animals. Everything becomes valuable if it is sacred. And everything is sacred if the world is a temple.

We no longer see people as transactions to be exploited or as enemies to be defeated. We see every person as worthy of love because every person is made in God's image. We can even see the sacredness in the people who annoy us or bring no advantage to us.

We become more attentive. We begin to notice the grace all around us. We start to appreciate the small beauties of life, and treasure life in all its details. We begin to see God's goodness in each other and in the creation around us. We become more grateful.

The world is a temple, so...

-let's begin to treat ourselves and our bodies as holy

-let's begin to treat each other as sacred

-let's become good stewards of God's creation

-let's become attentive to God's presence

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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September 27, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

I have a sneaking suspicion that when we see Jesus face to face, we will immediately realize that we weren’t even close to understanding his greatness. No matter what you believe now, his love is always greater than you can fathom. His mercy is so much more than you’ve been told. His power is so much stronger than what you’ve experienced so far. 

And I think at that moment, we will have a split second of regret. Because if we would have really understood who he is, we would have lived differently. We would have been more generous, more loving, more forgiving. We would have spent less time on the trivial and more time on the essential. But after that moment passes, we will simply be overwhelmed by his grace and consumed by his love.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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September 20, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here are some important promises to remember from God’s Word:

  • God is with you. (Psalm 46:7)

  • God is for you. (Romans 8:31)

  • God sees you. (Genesis 16:13)

  • God hears you. (1 John 5:14)

  • God knows you. (Jeremiah 1:5)

  • God cares about you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

  • God loves you. (Romans 5:8)

See you Sunday!

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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September 13, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

“The best things in life are free,” is an old and well-known saying, but it’s true.

Taking a walk outside is free.

Spending time in prayer is free.

Gratitude is free.

Watching a sunset is free.

Saying “thank you” is free.

Offering words of encouragement is free.

Being kind is free.

Loving your family and friends is free.

The best things (and most healing things) in life are free.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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September 6, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

So much of our lives is determined not by what is in the world, but how we see what is in the world.

Some people take a walk and they put in headphones and the goal is to simply complete their exercise as quickly as possible. Others can take that same walk, but they notice the beauty of God’s creation all around them.

Some people go to work to punch a clock so they can get a paycheck. Others go to work and they can sense moments when God wants to use them to bless those around them.

Life becomes mundane when seen through the lens of apathy and indifference. Life becomes wonder-full when seen through the lens of grace and attentiveness. May God give us eyes to see!

“Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees

takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”

- Elizabeth Barret Browning

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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August 30, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

As someone who was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, I’ve been asked several times why I transitioned over to the Episcopal Church. These reasons are part of my answer to this question, and I hope they may be helpful for you as well in understanding some of our traditions.

Beauty—I really appreciate liturgy, hymns, and beautiful sanctuaries. I believe the glory of God can be revealed through beautiful architecture, beautiful music, and beautiful liturgy and the Episcopal Church does each of those very well.

Ordination—I believe ALL people should be able to serve in every office of the church and be able to fulfill God’s calling on their life. In the Episcopal Church, every person can serve as acolytes, vestry members, senior and junior wardens, deacons, priests, and bishops.

Communion—I want to serve at a church where the Eucharist is the central focus of worship. I believe Holy Communion is the source and summit of the Christian life.

Book of Common Prayer—I’ve been using the Book of Common Prayer for several years now devotionally. I really appreciate the daily offices and the opportunity to join with Christians all around the world in reading the same scriptures and praying the same prayers each day. I love the liturgy and prayers it provides for worship as well.

Church Calendar—Our family has always followed the church calendar and so I am thankful to be a part of a church that does so as well. It creates a great rhythm for life that is centered on the life and teachings of Christ.

Communion of Saints—As I’ve become older, I’ve come to a greater appreciation of the communion of saints and the impact of their example and devotion. I love the feast days in the Episcopal Church.

Overall, my own journey has led me to a place where I crave sacred space and a sacred rhythm to life. Liturgy, contemplative prayer, set calendars, hymns, communion, and a more inclusive theology have become immensely important to my faith and my family and so I wanted to be a part of a church that emphasizes these practices in a more intentional way.

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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August 23, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’m in my forties now and so I’m currently in the process of planning my midlife crises. Right now I’m considering either a tattoo or getting a motorcycle. (Just kidding). All joking aside, the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to be courageous in our walk with Christ. Courage is not a virtue I would have seen as central earlier in my faith, particularly in my context where I am unlikely to face any real persecution. However, it takes courage to follow the ways of Christ over the ways of this world.

It takes courage to change, and to venture into the unknown and unfamiliar. It takes courage to keep loving people even when they disappoint you. It takes courage to walk by faith, to persevere, to not quit, to keep putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. It takes courage to really believe that God is not done with you yet and to strive for a life of holy love.

So, brothers and sisters… “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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August 16, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

The more I read the scriptures, the more I sense our calling to be rebels. Not rebels in the sense of being wild or selfish. But rebels in the sense where we live a different kind of life.  Saint Paul writes to the church in Rome, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.” Romans 12:2. The world needs more people who are not conformed to the ways of this world. Here are some examples:

To practice being still in God’s presence is an act of rebellion in a world full of noise and scrolling feeds.

To treat others with kindness is to act in defiance to a world that is trying to conform us through anger and fear. 

To resist the urge to demonize those we disagree with and to live as peacemakers is the ultimate refusal to play by the world’s games, which require tribalism and violence. 

Following Jesus is not a boring life of simply trying to be nice and polite. Following Jesus is an amazing journey of seeking the narrow way and being transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is a life of rebellion that acts in opposition to the destructive patterns that often surround us.

 Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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August 9, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

Oftentimes we find ourselves in a place where we want our circumstance to change. We desperately want things to be easier and better. We’re hoping for life to become more convenient and simpler to manage.  Sometimes what we really need, however, is a fresh revelation for our current circumstance. We need a change in the way we're thinking about our situation. We need eyes to see and ears to hear what God is showing us and teaching us. This may or may not change our circumstance, but it will certainly transform our character. Our outward lives may not become easier immediately, but our inward peace and strength will be greater.  Seek God’s presence. Pray for wisdom. God is faithful. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Yours in Christ, Father Brandon

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July 30, 2026

Brandon Dasinger - Spiritual Autobiography

Words cannot express how excited I am to be the new priest at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and how excited our family is to be a part of the Hartwell community. I’m filled with immense gratitude as I reflect upon the journey that has brought us to this place. Whenever I think of my faith journey, three words immediately jump to my mind: people, places, and grace. I immediately think of people, because neither our callings nor our ministries happen in isolation. God has constantly surrounded me with people who have mentored me, encouraged me, and supported me. I think about my youth group when I was in High School and how for the first time I saw people who had a real relationship with Christ. I did not grow up in church as a child, but started attending a church in High School. Within that youth group, I witnessed a group of young people who loved one another and welcomed me with open arms. It was this youth group who loved me into the faith. I think about my youth ministers and pastors who saw gifts in me that I didn’t see in myself. These were individuals I could learn from and serve alongside. I think about professors and fellow students in college and seminary who have both inspired and challenged me. I think about my wife and kids who have taught me so much about God’s love and goodness. Being a husband and a father has truly been the greatest blessing and responsibility in my life. My wife and I have now been married for 20 years and I’m so grateful for her friendship, support, and encouragement. Her own willingness to take steps of faith has encouraged my own faith. My kids are now 16, 12, and 8 years old. We have also been foster parents to several other children. It has been both the greatest challenge and greatest joy to love and care for each child. My kids have taught me so much about the love and goodness of God.

Second, when I reflect on my faith journey I think about places. In the Old Testament, God’s people made a practice of piling large rocks as monuments to the Lord’s provision. These monuments were to be reminders of God’s faithfulness. While I’ve never piled rocks onto each other, there are certain locations and places that remind me of God’s goodness. The church camp I attended as a youth is one of these places. I attended youth camp there four straight years. It is also the place where God originally called me into the ministry. Another place is Asbury Theological Seminary where I went for my Master of Divinity degree and later for my Doctor of Ministry degree. It was the first place my wife and I lived after we were married. We left our families in Alabama pursuing God’s calling on our life and we experienced so much provision and grace in the process. In addition to the education I received, we were incredibly blessed through the diverse community, chapel services, and other opportunities for spiritual formation. We had very little money in those years and yet God provided for us in every way. We still go back to Asbury each year and each year we are reminded of God’s faithfulness. In addition, Saint Meinrad Abbey has become a special place for me over the past few years. A few months ago I completed my studies and was confirmed as a Benedictine Oblate. An oblate is simply someone who becomes affiliated with a particular monastery and commits to their Rule of Life. The Rule of Life consists of being attentive to God’s presence by meditating on the gospels, keeping the daily offices, and participating frequently in the sacraments. The end goal is for an oblate’s life to become a generous oblation (offering) of oneself to God. I’ve now been to the abbey several times and will continue to have a spiritual retreat at the abbey once a year, Lord willing.

The last place I think about is not a specific building, but a country. For the past six years, I’ve served part-time as the Executive Director of Project 82 Kenya, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the orphan and the vulnerable in Kenya. I am incredibly blessed to work with such an amazing staff, board, and sponsors. I am incredibly blessed by the amazing children and families who are a part of this ministry. It is a holy calling to be a part of a team that is called to protect and care for the vulnerable. As I think back about the churches I’ve served, the schools I've attended, and the mission trip locations, these each were places where God has shaped my faith and ministry. Like the stone monuments of the Israelites, these locations remind me that there is a God who never fails, never leaves, and who is always faithful. The third word that comes to my mind in my faith journey is grace. Saint Paul says in 1 Corinthians: “By the grace of God, I am who I am.” I share that same sentiment.

As I look back on my past and the direction I was heading, it is truly amazing that I am here right now. Not that I’m perfect, but only God’s grace can explain the change that has occurred within me. My life simply does not make sense apart from God’s presence and spirit. It is God’s grace that has saved me, guided me, and equipped me. In fact, one of the things I love about St. Andrew’s and the Episcopal Church is that we have a strong optimism when it comes to God’s grace. We believe God’s grace is for ALL people and that ALL people are welcomed to God’s table.

So if you’re looking for a church community, please come check us out! We’d love to meet you!

God Bless, Father Brandon, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church