Congregational Stewardship
January 19th is our country’s day this year to celebrate the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many people think of him as a political figure, but he was primarily a spiritual leader and person of faith. It’s his faith that led him into addressing the need for social change. We need…
“Faith is the first factor in a life dedicated to service,” said Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. “Without faith nothing is possible; with faith nothing is impossible.” Mary McLeod Bethune was a pioneering Black educator, women’s rights activist, and civil rights leader. She also was advisor to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. She founded…
Sunday, Jan. 11th, is Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s birthday. I first “met” him through his best-known book series, “The Prophets.” That two-volume work became my first deep dive into some of the Eighth-Century BC prophets, whom I had long admired. The depth of his research and the breadth of his insights still make his commentaries essential…
A joyous Christmas season to you! Did you know that “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” that popular song of this worship season, is about the days after Dec. 25th, not before? Each day in the song names one aspect of Christian faith and life for people unable to read or without any books beyond the…
What is a “Blue Christmas?” Tomorrow will be the longest night of the year, when Earth’s creatures experience the greatest number of night hours. So it’s not surprising that on that day some people find their experiences of loss, anguish or depression further affected by the long, dark hours. That’s why many churches have a…
December 6th is the feast day for St. Nicholas among Catholic and Orthodox Christians around the globe. So a lot of children are scrambling around to get ready for him to come tonight. As a child, have you ever put out cookies and milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve? That comes from a tradition many…
The more I learn, the more I sense “wonder all around,” even in deep space far from our humble planet. American astronomer Vera C. Rubin (1928-2016) has named a few of these stunning, new understandings about those far, far away regions. Like dark matter spinning throughout the universe. And how galaxies whirl around in space…
Way back in 1941, then-U.S.-President Franklin D. Roosevelt began a National Bible Week, which was traditionally observed during the week of Thanksgiving. Ever since my earliest years of pastoring (well after 1941), I enjoyed celebrating it, and invited church members to read for devotions or study during that week in particular, to remind us of…
November first is All Saints Day: a perfect time to think about Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest, writer, & theologian. He taught for nearly twenty years at the University of Notre Dame, and at both Yale & Harvard Divinity Schools. Then he was pastor for ten years at L’Arche Daybreak, a community of people with…
Did you hear that incredible young-adult poet recite her poem at President Biden’s presidential inauguration a few years ago? I was awestruck by her passion and love of country, calling us to band together as a nation and pull ourselves out of a dark place. —October 17 is Black Poetry Day, and you might not…