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A Conversation with Wendell Berry

Watch the 2013 Chubb Lecture at Yale University, A Conversation with Wendell Berry, posted on the website of the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale. While you’re there check out the many other resources available on this website. (Photo: Center for Interfaith Relations, Creative Commons)

A Crumby Gospel

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, August 17, 2014
Chances are that this week folks in your faith community will be reeling and/or numb from world events. Add to that the usual list of prayer needs and human brokenness and pain. So hand out this crumby gospel, these crumbs of abundant love, grace, and salvation, and don’t be stingy.(Photo: Simon James, Creative Commons)

Divine Hospitality & Abundance

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Year A, August 3, 2014
There is so much more than mere money to God’s abundance; in fact, by honoring all aspects of God’s abundance and desire for us to live life to its fullest, we are equipped to better understand how to weave our understanding and right use of financial resources into our daily living. (Photo: Amy Gaertner, Creative Commons)

How Giving Transformed Grief

We all have something to give in every stage of our lives. Here’s a story by Cindy del Rosario about how one dad transformed the grief of losing his son to cancer into a way to help other children facing the disease. (Photo: Emilio Nares Foundation)

Word

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A
How are we respond to the creative word and redeeming purpose of God? The answer is a simple one. We, the created and beloved, are to praise God and offer our thanks. We are to use our humble gifts of human voice, word, and action in joyous and grateful response to God’s amazing “Word” of grace, love, and mercy. (Photo: John Morgan, Creative Commons)

A Living Wage in God’s Economy

Third Week after Pentecost, Year A, June 29, 2014
This week’s lessons offer wonderful possibilities to talk about stewardship of time, resources, relationships, and faith. Ample opportunities to address hospitality and welcome are at hand, as well. Check out our ideas for worship and for time with children and youth, too! (Photo: Intel Free Press, Creative Commons)

Wrapped in Prayer

Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A, June 1, 2014
As we leave Easter for the long, green season of ordinary time, may we never forget that relationship with God is anything but ordinary. May we also never forget that prayer is powerful and in it we enter into conversation with our Lord, into the very presence of the Divine. (Photo: Bill McChesney, Creative Commons)

Community Gardening

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Lectionary Reflection, Year A
Christian, Christian, how does your garden grow? Who waters, who plants, and who gives the growth? Consider this week’s lessons as part of an “instruction manual” from the master gardener in how to be and grow as disciples. It’s not easy, but the rewards are myriad. (Photo: d-olwen-dee, Creative Commons)

Consider Your Own Call

Lectionary Reflection for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year A
February 2, 2014
This week’s lectionary lessons invite us to ponder what it means to be disciples, called to love and serve God and others. Our calling is not one to which most of the world aspires, but it is exactly in pursuing what the world deems foolish that we find our meaning and our salvation. (Photo: Aaron Geller, Creative Commons)

Jesus in Pieces?

Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year A
January 26, 2014
Leading and serving the people of God can be tough sledding; just ask Paul. This week’s gospel and epistle lessons offer important words for leaders AND for the people they lead. Blessings on the work you do and on the communities you serve! (Photo: Steve Snodgrass)