What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see. – Lin-Manuel Miranda (“The World Was Wide..
When I went through confirmation class decades ago at First Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, Illinois, no one said to me what Jan..
I recently began a new call as a solo pastor. I’ve been preaching the lectionary Scripture texts since I arrived in April...
It can be incredibly powerful to think of confirmation for the young people in our congregations as a rite of passage –..
Like marriage, confirmation is about the church’s desire to be a player in people‘s lives. It would serve better if it stopped..
Banana bread, coffee, a glass bowl of mixed nuts. These treats welcomed us into the large, cinderblock classroom. Every week a comforting..
Guest commentary by Randy Covington Editor’s note: Randy Covington is a Presbyterian elder and journalism professional. He was recently asked by his..
Last year, a short article in the New York Times announced the retirement of the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus elephants. Changing..
Editor’s note: Grace Ji-Sun Kim attended the 2015 United Nations climate change convention as a journalist, and in 2016 as an observer...
Guest commentary by Dwyn M. Mounger “Man’s [sic] nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” – John Calvin, “Institutes..
What beauty the world has to offer, I want to be in it Not because the world is dangling some enticement for..
Oh High Priest! Cleanse me with your water, Rid me of my impurity, Make me like the one who brought down fire,..
Guest commentary by Gary Charles This commentary was written Gary W. Charles, pastor of Cove Presbyterian Church in Covesville, Virginia, near Charlottesville...
During a sabbatical from my pastorate in 2015 I walked a pilgrimage of faith that radically altered my life. Nothing I have..
On July 30, Susan McSwain brought her friends from Reality Ministries to lead us in worship. Reality Ministries is a community of..
I am not grateful for everything: humidity, hatred, or the vengeful vow, foam packing peanuts, blisters, the slippery slope. I’m grateful for..
This month we asked our bloggers to share how they are caring for their bodies and souls in the midst of the..
Guest commentary by William Yoo In the painful aftermath of the hateful activity and horrible tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, many Presbyterians condemned..
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) It’s nearing the end of summer..
This month we asked our bloggers to share how they are caring for their bodies and souls in the midst of the..
A dozen years ago, Robert Reich, academic economist and secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, published a brief essay in The..
The conversation about what we need to learn from Charlottesville continues to unfold, as people around the nation look hard at what..
Many groups, two sides, one right response Many groups converged on Charlottesville, Virginia, last weekend, but only two sides were represented: good..
Guest commentary by Peggy Grant A beautiful Christmas tradition at North Church is the giving and receiving of “star words.” Star words..
Guest commentary by Frank Spencer, president of the Board of Pensions, on lower costs for medical coverage available to seminarians. Registration with..
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