Ben E. Helmer
Ben Helmer has been vicar of St. James' since June of 2009. He has been ordained to the priesthood for 38 years. He was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University and received his M. Div. from General Theological Seminary in New York. His wife, Jane, is a mostly retired horticultural writer and editor. They have two sons. Richard is a priest in the Diocese of California and Steven is a carrier pilot in the U.S. Navy. Ben has served churches in Northern Michigan, Western Kansas and West Missouri. He was also the staff officer for rural and small community ministries for the Episcopal Church from 1999-2005 when he retired. He and Jane were then invited to work in Louisiana for a year where Ben was a chaplain to clergy, diocesan staff and caregivers and Jane worked as a volunteer following the ravages in Katrina. In June of 2007 Ben and Jane went to Guam for 18 months where Ben served as archdeacon for the Episcopal Church in Micronesia before returning to Missouri. The Helmers now live in Holiday Island about 7 miles north of Eureka Springs with their chocolate lab, Jessie.
Sermons and Bible Studies
Such Good Things, Easter 6 (C) – 2019
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all […]
God’s Hidden Work in the World, Lent 2 (C) – 2019
While it may be hard to imagine what life for Abraham was like, or even whether he was only a patriarchal ideal in the Old Testament, a careful reading of […]
Servants of Christ the King, Christ the King (B) – 2018
This sermon is being written the day after the massacre of eleven congregants of the Jewish temple in Pittsburgh. As we approach the end of our Christian year and focus […]
Snakes, Lent 4 (B) – 2018
If you are uncomfortable around snakes, this might not be your Sunday! But, if you can set that discomfort aside, you will be treated to an insight about how the […]
Congregations and Conflict, Proper 18 (A) 2017
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have […]
Transformation, Last Sunday in Epiphany (A) – 2017
It had been a long, multi-year mission with not much to show for it except threats from the rulers of occupied Israel and the religious authorities. Despite countless healings of […]
Today’s Readings and Collect…, Proper 16 (C) – 2016
Today’s readings and Collect can be seen as a unit teaching us about God’s power and how it works in us. The opening Collect (prayer) in the Episcopal Church says: […]
Ambassador for Christ, Lent 4 (C) – 2016
The Prodigal Son is a story familiar to all of us and movingly depicted in art, drama and dance. We like stories like this; ones with happy endings where people […]
Drink the Cup Jesus Drinks, Proper 24 (B) – 2015
One remarkable thing about a lot of Christians is the way they approach the world and one another. There is a quiet reserve, a sense of hospitality and genuine submission […]
Moving Toward Christian Unity, Ascension Day – 2015
“Lord, is it time?” How many questions like that do we ask on our journey in faith? In today’s reading from the Book of Acts, while the apostles were still […]
Jesus Didn’t Say… Easter 7 (A) – 2014
We are all familiar with depictions of people coming and going. Many will recall in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,” how Glinda, the good witch, descends upon Dorothy […]
Having a Baptism Today, Epiphany 1 (A) – 2014
Having a baptism today gives us something to celebrate. Whether the person to be baptized is a child or an adult, a baptism done on this day is more than […]
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