Congregational Stewardship
The writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (born on Feb. 4th) show the important interaction of faith, politics, and culture. A German-born theologian and activist in the Resistance Church, Bonhoeffer dared to counter National Socialism and the spread of Nazism. An advocate for the Jews and contributor to a group planning Hitler’s overthrow, he was imprisoned in…
There are so many things in the universe that go beyond words to express and invite us to ponder. So I decided to start another blog category, called “Wonder and Mystery.” Maybe just a few glimpses of mine will invite you to think deeply about yours. Space brings instant wonder to me: not the crucial…
Do you enjoy poetry? I just discovered a new book of poems originally by an unofficial saint of mine, called Sweet Hunter: The Complete Poems of St. Teresa of Avila. I know, most people know Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) as the author of the book, The Interior Castle. But she also wrote mystic poems, and…
These end-of-summer days are yielding an abundant grape harvest, grown especially juicy under the hot sun. But I’ll never look at a cluster of grapes without remembering Cesar Chavez and the many months’ long boycott that many of us had while he was negotiating with farmers for better working conditions. These days, March 31st is…
No doubt John the Baptist didn’t look very “saintly,” the way we usually think of saints or of people with spiritual messages we might want to hear. After all, this John was known for his ascetic lifestyle, living in the wilderness, wearing strange clothes, and eating insects for food. But he’s also known for baptizing…
These are increasingly terrifying times, especially to people considered on the margins or without the political clout to enforce their rights. So here are two important quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that help me keep going forward: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only…
“God is the Lord of angels, and of [people]—and of elves. Legend and history have met and fused,” wrote J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy series. Each time I read from them, I see more connections with our modern-day world. – March 25th is National Tolkien Reading…
Leslie Weatherhead, whose birthday is Oct. 14th, is another unofficial saint of mine. An English theologian in the liberal Protestant tradition, he was right up my alley.His book The Will of God changed my understanding of how God allows free will and works with us when we choose wrong. “God’s circumstantial will” can work with…
“Saints” are not bloodless figures in stained glass windows. They’re real people in the past or present who have encouraged our personal faith. This weekend Christians are celebrating the saints in our lives. November first is “All Saints Day” for Protestants and November second “All Souls Day” for Roman Catholics: days to thank God for…
Author Madeleine L’Engle’s birthday is Nov. 29th. She was a vibrant writer and a strong person of faith, seen in both her fiction and nonfiction. A Wrinkle in Time and the rest of her science fiction books affirm children, their willingness to care, learn, and risk their lives for one another. Her nonfiction gives even…