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