I received my earliest biblical and ecclesiastical knowledge in the Greek Orthodox Church, the church of my childhood. If I learned to experience wonder at all, I learned it there. Of course, experiencing earthly wonder included consuming huge feasts of…
Listen to the voices of women
We don’t have to celebrate Women’s History Month. No one forces us. Yet when we do, we may learn and be changed and become more involved. Our goal should be to listen and care. The National Women’s History Alliance designates…
Humor and hope mark the dark journey taken by a creative and brave photojournalist
Have you ever been death tripping? Journalist Jeff Sharlet recently took an unusual trip through the rural roads of Wisconsin. His trip became much more than a run-of-the-mill ride through the countryside. Instead, his trip was more like a pilgrim’s journey…
Life moves in circles, especially in troubled times
History is full of circles, many understood but many more beyond understanding. Often circles are more than simple shapes. Instead, they are experienced as sacred circles by indigenous communities. Sacred circles are based on an aboriginal approach to healing, as…
Faith communities must claim the courage ‘to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope’
In these troubling days, I am thinking of these heartening words,“Take these broken wings and learn to fly,” the lyrics of Paul McCarney’s song “Blackbird.” Many people from many walks of life sensed hope in the song McCartney wrote more…
Faith communities are undergoing upheaval, awakening and maybe transformation
Something is happening in the religious and spiritual universe. Many people, if they care about religion at all, have noticed the changing face of religion and spirituality in the United States and throughout the world. Most Americans consider themselves spiritual,…
Giving birth in prison: The grief of separation, the grace of presence
Conversations are happening across the nation. Stories are being told and voices are crying out for compassionate and competent health care for women who need abortions. But do we really know much about these women? What will become of them?…
Independence Day: Not to celebrate but to reflect
What do we call the American holiday coming up soon? The Fourth of July? Or Independence Day? A long-time friend answered that question for me in a dialogue we had two years ago. “It’s just the Fourth of July,” she…
After the Guidepost report: Dwelling with evil while living into hope
Like many Southern Baptists, former or current, I have read much of the abominable report released by Guidepost Solutions. It documents the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s response to numerous sexual abuse allegations and includes an audit of the Credentials…