Sermons from Trinity Cathedral Portland

"The world is always skeptical of hope." Sermon by Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

"We are called to be the body of Christ with a future already begun." Sermon by the Rev'd Vijendran Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live on Sunday, May 2, 2026.

"Sometimes we don't see what's right in front of us." Sermon by Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

"Jesus returns still wounded, and yet whole."  Sermon by Shana McCauley, Canon Vicar, recorded live on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Sermon by the Rt. Rev'd Diana Akiyama, Bishop of Western Oregon, recorded live on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Sermon by Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live at the Easter Vigil, April 4, 2026.

"Ritual is not meant to be watched."  Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live on Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026.  

"God gave us one another to walk this journey together."  Sermon by Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

"The point is what happens after the healing." Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministry, recorded live on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

"Lean into putting yourself out there." Sermon by the Very Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

"Blessing is being in relationship with God, so that whatever life brings can be withstood." Sermon by the Rev'd Vijendran Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

"Here we are again. So what are we going to do about it?" Sermon by guest preacher Garrett Bucks, recorded live on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

"This is the moment." Sermon by Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

"Get up and do not be afraid." Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministry, recorded live on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

"The work of justice is long." Sermon by Interim Dean Brendan Barnicle, recorded live on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

"We need not fear the pain that light can bring." Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

"Choosing to do nothing is a choice." Reflection by the Rt. Rev'd Diana Akiyama, recorded live on Wednesday, January 28, at the Prayer Vigil for Troubled Times.

"The pronouns of Christianity are we/us." Sermon by Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

"What is your witness?" Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministry, recorded live on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

"Vulnerability shows us who we are – and where God is." Sermon by the Very Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

"Children challenge us to change how we do things."  Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, recorded live on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

“God holds our song in God’s heart.” Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministry, recorded live on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

"In the beginning was the Word." Sermon by the Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025.

"Even in the darkest hour, God shines brightly." Sermon by the Rt. Rev'd Diana Akiyama, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon, recorded live on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025.

Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025.

“If Advent brings one word to our consciousness, it is hope.” Sermon by the Rev'd Vijendran Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on the third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025.

"Advent is a season of prophecy." Sermon by the Rev'd Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on the second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025.

Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2025.

"Let our fear be diminished by the light." PLEASE NOTE: After Day 1, this year's Advent podcast will move to its own feed: join us at dailyadvent.podbean.com or search "Daily Advent" wherever you listen.   The Rev. Spencer W. Brown is Congregation Priest Associate at Washington National Cathedral, where he joined the Canon Vicar’s team in 2023. Spencer has served congregations in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He shares his life with his husband, Lucas, and their dog, Cruella. They love watching horror movies, enjoying the outdoors, laughing and cooking with friends.   Join us every morning in Advent for this aural Advent calendar of daily reflections on fear and how it affects our relationship with God.  

PLEASE NOTE: After Day 1, this year's Advent podcast will move to its own feed: join us at dailyadvent.podbean.com or search "Daily Advent" wherever you listen.   Brendan Barnicle and Shana McCauley introduce Daily Advent 2025: Meeting Fear. The Christmas season is full of cheery Santas and shiny wrapping paper, but in that first year, Mary and Joseph faced scary times – much as we do today. In Meeting Fear, we will consider fear and how it affects our relationship with God. Join us every morning in Advent for this aural Advent calendar of daily reflections.   Brendan Barnicle is Interim Dean and Shana McCauley is Subdean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.

"The reign of Christ is about compassion – not control." Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministries, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 23, 2025.

"How do I prepare to be unprepared?" Sermon by Interim Dean Brendan Barnicle, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

"If things do not go our way, does that mean God is absent?" Sermon by VJ Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

"Christians are a group made up of difference." Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

"Together, we can change the world." Sermon by Interim Dean Brendan Barnicle, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

"Prayer can feel a lot like wrestling with God." Sermon by Canon for Intergenerational Ministry Charissa Simmons,recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

"How do we express our gratitude?" Sermon by the Very Rev'd Julia McCray-Goldsmith, retired Dean of Trinity Cathedral in San Jose, California. Recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Sermon by the Rev'd Canon Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

"Is it wrong to live in comfort while surrounded by poverty?" Sermon by the Rev'd VJ Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, September 28 2025.

"In God's kingdom, the world is turned upside down."   Sermon by the Rev'd Canon Michael Spencer, Head of School at Oregon Epicopal School, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

"God's agenda is eternal: the last is always first."   Sermon by the Rev'd Canon Shana McCauley, Subdean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

"The work of welcoming can change the world." Sermon by the Very Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Transfiguration Sunday, September 7, 2025.

"Productivity is not a measure of our value." Sermon by Charissa Simmons, Canon for Intergenerational Ministry, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

"When we pray for unity, we must be ready for transformation." Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

"Tension is inevitable when God's truth is revealed." Sermon by the Rev'd VJ Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, August 17, 2025.  

"Transformation starts with us but expands to the world." Sermon by the Very Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Transfiguration Sunday, August 10, 2025.

"What reservoirs of privilege have we collected?" Sermon by Liz Harlan-Ferlo, Canon for Spirituality Education & Arts, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Sermon by the Rev'd Canon Vijendran Sathyaraj, Canon Associate, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

"We are called to challenge the fears in our midst." Sermon by the Rev'd Dr. Brendan Barnicle, Interim Dean, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

"God made the pearly gates rainbow for you."   Sermon by the Rev'd Christopher Craun, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon, recorded live at the 10:00 am service on Pride Sunday, July 20, 2025.