I know that only a few members of TSA actually receive the United Church Observer, our denomination’s monthly magazine. It is the oldest publication of its kind, now in its 187th year. The September edition features a cover story on…
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“A person or community that remembers its story as a story of grace is delivered from the bondage of anxious self aggrandizement.” – Sally Brown (professor of preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary) When I came across that quote of Sally…
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Ok, I like to think that I connect the biblical story to the modern day as much as the next preacher. However there are those who try to do so in such a way that drives me crazy. Here is…
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Just in case you didn’t know, the street in front of our church has been torn up this summer. This has made it difficult for people to get into our building but, of course, as everyone comments, “it will be…
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So the Olympics have begun. I think that I am pretty typical in my attitude toward the Olympic Games. Before the fames I am deeply cynical. I mutter about drug use and money wasted and promises not kept. I pontificate,…
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People have been sending me links to various statements and responses, from a wide range of organizations, to the killings in Orlando on June 12. I have been struck by the honesty and bluntness of many of these statements. They…
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While Susan was away recently I decided to watch the movie “Spotlight”. It got lots of attention at this year’s Oscars. It is about the Boston newspaper team that opened up the story of sexual abuse by priests in the…
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So I finished my taxes. Not a big job really and I use a software program that makes it especially easy. This year as I inputted the information I listened to news stories of corporations and the uber rich and…
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This blog post may be a little self indulgent but I have been thinking a lot recently about how people experience worship and especially the sermon. And so here are some thoughts that hopefully will help you to experience both…
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Do you recognize this painting? It is by Hans Holbein the Younger and is called, “The Body of Christ in the Tomb”. It was painted in 1521 and hangs in Kunstmuseum, Basel. It is a disturbing image, so disturbing that…
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