Letter to my beloved son
by Cara and Carlton Johnson Author’s note: This is a letter that my wife and I composed to our oldest son. Recently,..
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The Original Rainbow Warrior
Guest commentary by Matt Schmidt In the 1970s, hippies in California, inspired by Native American prophecies of rainbow warriors who would someday..
Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words Are Vanishing – and How We Can Revive Them
Jonathan Merritt Convergent Books, 256 pages Reviewed by Dana Hughes Jonathan Merritt is worried. The Christian, writer and linguist is concerned that..
Co-moderators announce new book study
(OGA) The Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) have selected a new book study for Presbyterian churches. The Reverend Cindy Kohlmann and..
Stories shared: Presbyterians’ care for creation
Climate change and its impact continue to make headlines. World leaders and ordinary citizens alike are seeking ways to better care for..
Of Valentine’s Day, Holy Communion, gun control and potlucks: Prayer, Scripture, service and the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship
Guest commentary by Brett Webb-Mitchell Spread before us on a table in Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall were 50 white paper lunch..
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
“If there is a theme in what lies ahead for the church as we enter a new year, it is that the..
Shalom Farms & UPSem: Cultivating food for life
Since the late spring of 2017, five acres of Union Presbyterian Seminary’s (UPSem) land has been under the care and cultivation of..
Letters to the church I love
Guest blog by Alissa Conner This month, we invited our bloggers to write a “love letter” to the church. Here are their..
The particular Presbyterian call to creation care
Grover Cleveland, William Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt. John Muir, Rachel Carson, David Brower. At first glance, we might say that what connects these..
What’s right about Wizard’s Wardrobe in Albany, New York?
Seven years ago, after a year-long discernment process, a number of us started tutoring at a nearby public school. Within a year,..
I don’t think y’all can ever stop doing this: A reflection on the blackface scandal in Virginia
Guest commentary by Charles Holmes The conjoined twins of racism and politics, connected via several points along their central nervous systems, have become..
The Hawk is flying
“Who let that Hawk out? Whew, the Hawk is flying high today!” I exclaimed as walked into my office from a bone-chilling..
Tutu stresses justice, mercy, humility in remarks to students (20 years ago)
20 years ago — February 1, 1999 “‘What does the Lord require of you?’ Micah stated that a relationship with God depends..
Not Your White Jesus: Following a Radical, Refugee Messiah
Sheri Faye Rosendahl WJK Press, 202 pages Reviewed by Rose Wayland Growing up in the Anabaptist tradition, and recalling my college days..
Christian educators gather at the waters for education and inspiration
GALVESTON, TEXAS (Outlook) – Focused on the theme “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (drawn from Isaiah 55), the 2019..
The dinner party
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at..
Cultivating Teen Faith: Insights from the Confirmation Project
Richard R. Osmer and Katherine M. Douglass, editors Eerdmans, 208 pages Reviewed by Katherine A. Stanford What are we doing to help..
Christian educators gather at the water for soul-nourishment
GALVESTON, TEXAS (Outlook) — “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters!” After reading these words from Isaiah 55, Anne Wilson, co-chair of..
What’s right about Highland Presbyterian Church?
Highland Presbyterian Church — Maryville, Tennessee Highland Presbyterian, which was founded by Maryville College students 65 years ago, is a small church with..
How to Not Be Afraid
“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea around us.” — Franz Kafka Start by looking at a picture of..
Remembering James Hutchinson Smylie
Guest commentary by Dean K. Thompson It is a privilege to be in the grateful company of many who are celebrating..
The Steward of the Underside of the Table
there is nothing for me outside of You. this is the only thing i know. and when i have lost sight of..
A Beautiful View: A Friendlier Christianity as a Way of Life
F. Morgan Roberts Cascade Books, 108 pages. Reviewed by Thomas G. Long Near the end of this lovely and engaging book, Morgan..
Dancing with words
When I was born, the doctors bound me to a word: “girl.” Perhaps because this word never fit, I became obsessed with..