These thanks we give fit best with simplest things, the ordinary benisons we scarcely note as our times go fleeting past. This daily breath so freely drawn, the dawning light that greets the eye, familiar, fond voices on the ear, rich flavor on the lips, across the skin a soft and tender touch, and over and around all this a profound and constant trust in which we set one foot before the other. An elemental gratitude that lies in wait to lift the soul to life again. … [Read more...]
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Commentary 15 hours ago
Simplest Gifts
These thanks we give fit best with simplest things, the ordinary benisons we scarcely note as our times go fleeting past. This daily breath so freely drawn, the dawning light that greets the eye, familiar, fond voices on the ear, rich flavor on the lips, across the skin a soft and tender touch, and over and around all this a profound and constant trust in which we set one foot before the other. An elemental gratitude that lies in wait to lift the soul to life again. continue reading... -
Editor's viewpoints 16 hours ago
Thanksgiving 2020: Give thanks for those who have helped us weather this pandemic
Scarcity, rather than abundance, may strike many as the keynote of Thanksgiving 2020, given the absence of family and friends who are following public health guidance during the pandemic and staying home. But perhaps we could redirect our thanksgiving reflection this year, for there are many other people who have been present for us, who have placed themselves at risk to do “essential” work that meets our daily needs and keeps our communities up and running. Think of all the remarkable, courageous people who are staffing hospitals, pharmacies and grocery… continue reading... -
Worship Resources 1 day ago
November 29 — 1st Sunday of Advent: Family faith formation @ home
Welcome Before you begin this week, gather: A circle form (this can be a florist wreath form made of foam or metal, or a pre-formed Advent wreath). Four purple or blue candles, One white pillar candle, Greenery (natural or artificial). Matches or a lighter. One: Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent. We wait for the coming of Jesus. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: We begin with a circle to remind us of God’s unending love and presence. All: Emmanuel, God with us.… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized149 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews173 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews154 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Getting social for the sake of the gospel November 17, 2020 Editorials1 comment What is your relationship to social media? What about the congregation’s use of social media? I confess to having a love/hate relationship with it. In exasperation after one too many hurtful comments, I deleted my Facebook account and felt utter relief as a result. While I occasionally miss seeing pictures of friends and their families, never once have I wanted to reengage with the platform. I do, however, have Instagram and Twitter accounts. I suppose I am more than ambivalent but less than enthusiastic about social media. However, I do recognize the importance of using every medium available to us to pro...
Meet the Outlook’s interim leadership: Roger Gench and Jay Blossom November 16, 2020 Editor's viewpoints1 comment Dear Presbyterian Outlook reader,
On behalf of the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation Board of Directors I am pleased to share the news that Roger J. Gench and Jay S.F. Blossom have accepted the call to serve as our interim editors. In this period of transition, we are committed to providing our readers and supporters with denominational coverage, excellent commentary and theologically sound church resources at the level of excellence to which you have been accustomed. Roger and Jay are well positioned to provide strong leadership during this interim time and are both committed to maintaining t...
Goodbye, thank you, and a prayer November 13, 2020 Editor's viewpoints1 comment Friends,
On my last day as editor of the Presbyterian Outlook, I want to say one final time: Thank you! I will cherish this season of ministry and rejoice always in the people with whom I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. I leave you with this prayer:
God who calls and sends, creates and names us, you make of us one people, one household, one body. We too often fail to treasure the gift of one another, but in times of transition, in notable milestones and moments of clarity, you grant us glimpses of the grace afforded us in our relationships with each other. For writers who attempt to shap...
Simplest Gifts
Tagged With: poetry • thanksgiving
Thanksgiving 2020: Give thanks for those who have helped us weather this pandemic
Scarcity, rather than abundance, may strike many as the keynote of Thanksgiving 2020, given the absence of family and friends who are following public health guidance during the pandemic and staying home. But perhaps we could redirect our thanksgiving reflection this year, for there are many other people who have been present for us, who have placed themselves at risk to do “essential” work that meets our daily needs and keeps our communities up and running. Think of all the remarkable, courageous people who are staffing hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores. Think of postal service workers and delivery truck drivers. Farm workers and others laboring in the food industry. Biomedical researchers at work on developing new vaccines. Journalists and news outlets that have kept us abreast of events. Park service employees supervising a surge of visitors in need of the solace of nature. Civic leaders monitoring pandemic circumstances on the ground. Election officials and poll … [Read more...]
November 29 — 1st Sunday of Advent: Family faith formation @ home
Welcome Before you begin this week, gather: A circle form (this can be a florist wreath form made of foam or metal, or a pre-formed Advent wreath). Four purple or blue candles, One white pillar candle, Greenery (natural or artificial). Matches or a lighter. One: Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent. We wait for the coming of Jesus. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: We begin with a circle to remind us of God’s unending love and presence. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: We bring evergreens to remind us the hope we find knowing Jesus is eternal. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: We gather four candles to mark the four weeks of joy and anticipation as we wait for the babe in the manger and the coming of Christ again. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. All: Emmanuel, God with us. One: Four candles are purple as a reminder to prepare … [Read more...]
Spend the holidays with your household: Population one
You’ve seen the pleas from the CDC: “Spend Thanksgiving with just your immediate household this year.” My sister called me this week and asked what I was doing for Thanksgiving. “A frozen lasagna and TV,” I joked. (Don’t worry — I’m at least planning on using the oven.) “But all week I have plans to go hiking with my girlfriends,” I quickly added. “Okay, I won’t worry about you then.” Like many single people, spending Thanksgiving with just my household means I will be alone. But, I am a healthy active young woman who still has the ability get out of the house. Whether you are single, have a small household, a large household, lots of roommates or lots of pets, COVID-19 has encouraged us all to stay home for the sake of physical health. But, mentally, we are all weary of the solo thing by now. Like so many, the church I serve has a plan to keep us all together online, through Scripture and liturgy, and candle lighting on Sunday nights during Advent. We will still gather on … [Read more...]
There’s Trouble All Around (a free hymn for Thanksgiving 2020)
There’s Trouble All Around LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise") There’s trouble all around; it’s hard for us to bear! O God of love, there’s so much sadness everywhere. We hear the daily toll of people who have died; we see what comes when hate and fear are amplified. We thank you, God, for faith that says that it’s o.k. to cry out as the Psalmist cried out, when we pray. We thank you that in times when everything goes wrong, we’re once again reminded that your love is strong. We thank you, God, for hope that daily sees us through— and for the gift of Jesus Christ who makes us new. We thank you, too, for hope that truth and science bring. The time will come when, once again, we’ll laugh and sing. We thank you, God, for love, for kindness and for smiles, for friends and loved ones reaching out across the miles, and for your Spirit’s gifts that help us through these days. God, may we know these blessings and give thanks and praise. Tune: … [Read more...]
The called becomes the caller (Jan. 3, 2021)
Uniform Lesson for January 3, 2021 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Luke 4:14-22a We shift this week from the beginnings of Jesus’ own call toward the various calls at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. The called now becomes the caller. Jesus will issue this call through proclamation, deeds of power, healings and intercession. As with John the Baptist, so with Jesus (in Luke 12:49): “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” This fire and this call may not bring peace (as in absence of conflict) but division (as Jesus’ call in our passage for today indicates). Be on your guard when editors stop a story in mid-verse! What’s the rest of the story? Luke 4:14-15 — Ordinary means While Luke makes clear that Jesus, as he begins his public ministry, is “filled with the power of the Spirit,” this power is made manifest in quite ordinary ways. The primary verb for Jesus’ invitation/call to others is teaching, versus preaching or doing works of power. His … [Read more...]
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