Spirituality

Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry and Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div.
ELCA

Those of us who claim a Christ-centered faith know we have not lived up to the model of the godly life set for us by Jesus. But we know that grace abounds and that our God is a god of love and mercy. We know we will get through whatever awaits us this week, as we always have. We do not expect a life without challenges. God’s promise is that we are loved no matter what befalls Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Whew! Big couple of weeks coming up. Of course, all in the news is the coming election on Nov. 5. People have said that this is the most important election of our time, and that the partisanship is worse than ever. Well, maybe … but it seems we hear that every four years. But it is a civic duty—are responsibility of citizenship—to make each of our voices heard on election days. We may feel like we’re “a voice in the wilderness” in this third most populous country on earth, but as is said, each pebble helps make up the mountain.

With all the quadrennially-rampant vitriol, it’s a bit ironic Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry and Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Deacon Amy Schmuck
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

Grace and peace to you, readers of this weekly article. I pray in the spirit of our column title, “All Shall Be Well” that you are finding ways to feed your souls with comfort, with gratitude, with joy, and with community in order to live into that mantra as you are able. Pr. Nicole’ Raddu Ferry wrote last week about remaining faithful during the election Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

You might remember the burning of the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris several years ago. Christian or no, virtually all viewed it a great tragedy—Christians for the destruction of the medieval center of Gallic worship, and non-Christians of the loss of an almost irreplaceable work of art and historical relevance. The storied loveliness of Notre Dame of old was virtually unrivaled.

But have you ever seen the pre-fire underlying framings supporting a cathedral or other structure? Often it’s a mishmash of timbers, wooden or metal supports, nailed and tied together, often Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Ah, marriage. Ah, romance. As I forementioned last week, we had a lovely wedding Saturday. It’s quite the treat when we priests and ministers can witness at the tying of the knot with young people we’ve known since they were young lads or lasses. Of course, as you ladies know, dads almost never think anyone good enough for their daughters—that innate protective instinct. “Who dare think himself worthy of MY little girl?!”

Courtship, of course, exists to find someone with whom one who seems at least compatible and hopefully moves the heart toward love. In earlier days of arranged Read More

Clergy from left, Pastor Deb Church, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, and Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By The Rev. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church

October is the time of year when many Christians remember with fondness St. Francis of Assisi (see Mother Lynn Finnegan’s column from two weeks ago). St. Francis’ feast day is celebrated in early October. For many of us, that celebration includes a special blessing of the animals. As a priest, I have met many household Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I’m privileged to have been asked to officiate at a wedding next weekend—one of the greatest joys for any minister. And so thoughts have been in that direction the last few days.

Marriage and children…two of the greatest blessings that God gives mankind while we are here on earth.  We read in scripture:  “My soul takes pleasure in three things, and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of men; agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony.” (Sirach 25:1)

In the divine plan, the coming together of Adam and Eve at the Read More

Clergy from left, Pastor Deb Church, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, and Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div.
ELCA

Autumn is my favorite season in Los Alamos. It doesn’t last long enough, but to see the leaves change color is an annual treat. The hottest days of summer are behind us. And, unless we are into winter sports, we aren’t looking forward to winter temperatures or icy sidewalks. Whatever our preferences, the changing of the seasons is inevitable. Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Aren’t you just soooooo impressed—a little French in the title? It’s always fun to throw in some phrases from another language once in a while; it helps a writer look more edjamacated than he done is.😉 A little Latin here, a little French lingo there, to spruce up the column … a sine qua non lest ennui set in, and then … adios amigos. Or did you ever read an article which seemed to be written by a thesaurus? Who knew that the purpose of language was actually communication?! As the alien-inhabited Mr. Spock said in TOS  episode “Is There in Truth No Beauty”, “You depend on [language] for Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry and Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Rev. Lynn Finnegan
Associate Rector
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith

“The Peace Prayer” or the “Prayer of Saint Francis” is a well-known prayer of unknown origin. Whether the iconic Saint Francis, known best for his love of animals and all of God’s creation, wrote it or not, its symmetry and simplicity has universal appeal. “Make me (or “us” depending on the version) an instrument of your peace,” Read More