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March came in with its blizzard more like a polar bear than a lion, but it left like the lamb of the Palm/Passion/Easter story. Spring and Easter always coincide and are represented by all kinds of new, infant life: baby bunnies, chicks, ducks, and yes, this year, April brings a baby giraffe. Back in February,⦠Read More
As long as I can remember, I have loved stories. Listening, reading, writing, acting out, and watching stories has been an important part of my life. After a really evocative one, I will often embellish it or continue it in my thoughts, composing and filtering it through my imagination and senses. I’ve done this often⦠Read More
Will you be their Valentine? Our gift drive for the residents at Concourse House will begin next Sunday, January 15th. Sign up at Coffee Hour to purchase pajamas for a specific child or gloves for a Mom (or both!) Additionally, we continue our ongoing donations program of new or gently used clothing, books, school supplies⦠Read More
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Scroll down for to view the hymn and listen to the audio. Kathryn Carroll The rose was a pre-Christian symbol of veneration and since, became a symbol of Mary, great with expectancy, fully in bloom. The sweetness of this hymn is a fitting match for the fragrance of its subject⦠Read More
To a Maid Engaged to Joseph Scroll down for to view the hymn and listen to the audio. Kathryn Carroll I think that many 20th Century Christians, particularly Protestants, were not formed with the same devotion to Mary as were our Catholic and earlier Christian forbears. The cultural times seemed not to know how to deal⦠Read More
Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice Scroll down for to view the hymn and listen to the audio. Kathryn Carroll I write this on November 8th, Election Day. This hymn raises a prophet’s voice in me: By the time this is read, a month will have passed from this historical election year and its outcome.⦠Read More
The King of Glory Comes This is a jauntier melody than most of our Advent hymns. I can almost envision it as a circle dance with clapping, stomping, and spontaneous whooping for joy. It fits our modern traditions for this time of year of parties and childish excitement. The notations in The Faith We Sing⦠Read More
I woke this morning with you on my mind and heart. Last night I wondered how aware children really are about things, and how you would address any of your children’s questions or anxieties. And I wondered about the church’s role and mine in helping to bridge the deep cultural fissures that were confirmed by the⦠Read More
Yesterday was All Saint’s Day and a week from Election Day. It’s hard to believe that by this time next week, we will (presumably) have elected the person who will serve as the 45th POTUS. Some astonishing descriptions of both candidates have been hurled around and “saint” was not one of them. Interestingly, the “character” factor has not included any baseline⦠Read More
I don’t know if there is a parent on earth who doesn’t sometimes imagine their child’s future self. When they’re little, I think our hopes for them are fairly general, basic, and more immediate, like hoping they will sleep through the night, or reach developmental milestones on target. Then we begin thinking about emotional health⦠Read More