Perhaps you are like me in sometimes finding it hard to ‘give thanks’ in a time when so many live in fear and uncertainty in this current political nightmare in which we find ourselves. I’m afraid it will only get worse in the next couple of years. Frustration, despair, and anger are often the themes of our days.
Last Sunday, a man entered the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas and opened fire on worshippers. 26 died. Over 20 are injured, ten of whom remain in critical condition. The building itself was so badly damaged by the barrage of gunfire from a semi-automatic weapon that it may be beyond repair. God help us all.
On September 24, a gunman entered Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee and opened fire upon worshippers. He killed one and injured seven. God help us for the grizzly business of needing to count in this way.
Read our letter regarding the impact of shadows from the Back Bay/South End Gateway Project on the community.
Published in the United Church of Christ devotional booklet 'Rise Up: Spirituality for Resistance' (June 2017).
"They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail." Acts 5:18
It was Children’s Sabbath and young Ady was giving the Words of Welcome. Finally, she announced, “Oh, and this week our pastor, Rev. John, was arrested.” The church erupted into cheers and applause.
Published in the United Church of Christ devotional booklet 'Rise Up: Spirituality for Resistance' (June 2017).
Then God said ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ Genesis 18
What do Progressive Christians need for social justice work?
Published in the United Church of Christ devotional booklet 'Rise Up: Spirituality for Resistance' (June 2017).
"Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15
The shooting in Alexandria, Virginia is a sobering event. As a person of faith it leads me to pray for those individuals affected. First, for those wounded in the shooting, Representative Scalise, as well as the Capitol Police. Second, I am led to pray for those who, though not physically hurt, will nevertheless carry psychological wounds. It seems the gunfire went on for some minutes, a time which must have seemed nearly unending for those lying on the grass of a baseball diamond wondering if they were about to die.
Some might ask: “Why do you keep at it, adding more new verses to a beloved Holy Week Hymn? Just let it be and let’s sing it and feel the emotion it evokes.” My response is simple: because it matters.
The hymn Were You There? is a wonderful old spiritual. Indeed, it is very emotive as we sing it during Holy Week. It has been sung for decades in churches and in homes, and hummed as an act of remembrance and devotion during the Lenten season by countless others, including me.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
The UCC Lent Devotional for April 5, 2017:
"Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143
In my prayers, I often err on the side of praying for things that I could do myself. God’s likely pretty tired of hearing me ask: “Help me do my part to solve [insert societal woe]”. I like to hide behind theology to justify this—prayer isn’t magic, God isn’t a genie, etc. And that’s all true.
Yesterday started off with breakfast with a colleague at Dig Inn. I highly recommend the ‘avocado toast’. We talked shop: stewardship, staffing, HR, social media, preaching, etc.