-
·
Common Humanity
a homily for Good Friday Text: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [This was my reflection for Word 4 in our eccumenical Good Friday service using the last 7 words format.] Perhaps no line in scripture is more troubling than this. It is the single audible cry in Mark (and Matthew): “My…
-
·
Ranting Grammarians
I really like Lynne Truss. Her book Eats, Shoots & Leaves is one of my favorite books ever. I’d like to think that would be so even if I hadn’t majored in English. The book itself is one big rant on behalf of better grammar. She is militant, persuasive, and funny. And that seems to…
-
·
When GOD Gives Conflicting Instructions
On her blog yesterday, the Rev. Susan Russell announced a Celebration of Equality. It is a really special event in the life of her Pasadena congregation and I’m sure is going to be an awesome sight. In the midst of this celebration is a “sneak preview” of a new documentary about the Rt. Rev. V.…
-
·
With Regards To Conflict
MadPriest made a cogent statement over at his blog about the relationship between Sudan and the Episcopal Church: The Episcopal Church of Sudan’s retraction of their invitation to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA is like the Jew set upon by robbers, upon his recovery, telling the good Samaritan to fuck…
-
·
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
My friend Penny brings new light to Christmas through a discovery of a missing verse from the classic hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”. I’ve always loved this evocative hymn, with its angels and their unfurled wings coming to us through a mysterious door from heaven to bring God’s news to us in splendid…
-
·
Fixing What We Got Wrong
My mentor during seminary, The Rev. Darren Elin once remarked that we get our two biggest holidays backwards: we celebrate Christmas the night before and Easter the morning after when it should be the other way around. Boy was he right. This is my first Christmas in 5 years in which I wasn’t one of…
-
·
Church: Club, Community, or Neither?
Awhile back I wrote about how much I hate announcement time. Go back and take a look at it, because I feel justified in saying that. Announcement time, as I’ve experienced it in the several congregations I’ve served has, for the most part, been a horrible train wreck. This is mostly the case because it is…