secretary Freedom From Religion View in browser February 3, 2024 Freedom From Religion Molly Baskette Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. – Mark 12:17 (NRSV) I’ve been wrestling lately with the … Read more
Light a Candle—or All of Them View in browser February 2, 2024 Light a Candle—or All of Them Vicki Kemper Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Now my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to … Read more
Bootstraps View in browser February 1, 2024 Bootstraps Rachel Hackenberg God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God determines the number of the stars, and gives to all of them their names. The Holy One lifts up the downtrodden, and casts the wicked to the ground. God covers the heavens with clouds, … Read more
Walking Trees View in browser January 31, 2024 Walking Trees Mary Luti [Jesus] took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had laid his hands on him, he asked, “Can you see anything?” The man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they … Read more
Watch Your Mouth View in browser January 30, 2024 Watch Your Mouth Chris Mereschuk No one can tame the tongue. We use it to say, “Praised be our God and Creator,” then we use it to curse each other—we who are created in the image of God. – James 3:8-9 (The Inclusive Bible) … Read more
Charged View in browser January 29, 2024 Charged Donna Schaper Jesus taught them, saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 (NRSV) A humble proposal: to remove the word “charge” from ordinations and installations and use the word “bless” instead. The psalms are surfeit with … Read more
Still, Though View in browser January 28, 2024 Still, Though Martha Spong Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the … Read more
The Door Is Still Open View in browser January 27, 2024 The Door Is Still Open Kenneth Samuel After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. – Revelation 4:1 (NIV) The concept of hell may be many things to many people, but Howard Thurman, the noted … Read more
Satisfied View in browser January 26, 2024 Satisfied Vince Amlin Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of … Read more
The Brutal Blessing of Grief View in browser January 25, 2024 The Brutal Blessing of Grief Katherine Willis Pershey “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4 (NRSV) One of my most vivid childhood memories is of being chastised for crying too hard the night my grandmother died. … Read more