Spirituality

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I always enjoy reading the Jewish Torah—what Christians often term the “Pentateuch”: the first five books of the Bible. Given the Judeo-Christian influence on much of the eastern hemisphere—and virtually all of the western hemisphere—even the non-believer can find even historical insight there.

For those of Judeo-Christian faith it’s much of our religion and religious history, having many simple, direct moral norms to follow … many of which are still believed by many Christians as still binding. In fact, one of the things Jesus emphasized when asked how to enter the Kingdom Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By DEACON CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB aka Cinema Cindy
ELCA

Thanks to the new business in town, SALA Event Center, I was able for the first time in a couple of years to watch a first-run movie in this town where I live. I am grateful. Coincidently, that film, “A Man Called Otto,” is about gratitude. It’s also about neighborliness and the family we create around us. It’s what this town has been for many folks over the decades, when your own family might live in another Read More

Fr. Glenn Jones:

As we look across the news landscape of this nation, we often hear of otherwise very good people being criticized for some fault—sometimes for an even relatively minor one. This is most prevalent perhaps in the arena of politics, where rivals will attack any weakness in the other—often supported (or not) by media coverage. And, of course, social media has ramped up criticism ability exponentially—a never-ending stream of champions and critics screaming at one another across the electronic abyss.

But even in private lives, we often will overlook all the good that a person does, Read More

Fr. Glenn Jones:

Driving around New Mexico, there sure seems to be a lot of crumpled guardrails these days. I don’t remember as many prior to cellphones and texting; maybe an unintended (and undesired) consequence of constant communication. Goodness knows we have to wait longer at traffic lights at times waiting on people to look up from texting. “Please proceed, sir” … or similarly-themed motivational expressions. 😉

But it seems that there’s a lot of metaphorical “guard rails” getting blasted right through these days as well. So many extremes, whether in politics, diet fads, exercise, social Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I had a text the other day describing a rather bittersweet moment for any parent: the young daughter wanted to ski without her parents nearby or in sight, she beginning to exhibit that budding streak of independence and self-identity. It’s good to have the young stretching out on their own, and yet stings that their son or daughter will soon no longer be their little boy or girl as they mature into adulthood over several years. And the worries increase: will she sure turn out for the best? Will she follow the good as her independence grows? Will she find a path to happiness? A parent Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

The Rev. Nicolé Raddu Ferry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Los Alamos

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This statement that my parents taught me as I was growing up had good intentions, but it was a lie. The phrase was used as a defense against name-calling and verbal bullying, intended to increase resiliency, avoid physical retaliation and to remain calm and conflict free. This phrase was first sited in 1862 and I know Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

As you might imagine, churches often get requests for research into genealogies—people wanting to find out the family line and history, and genetic testing and websites like ancestry.com have been a bit of a rage over the last couple of decades. Who were my kin? Is one of my long-long-past relations some great leader or ruler … or villain? Did my ancestors come over on the Mayflower, or maybe with the Spanish settling the southwest? But, of course, as far as longevity, all of us not of indigenous ancestry are comparatively newbie immigrants anyway. My own mother’s sister often Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Hmmm … classified documents in President Biden’s home. Same for former President Trump. Representatives and senators lying to be elected. Bribes. Voter fraud allegations. Financial schemes, scams, hatreds. Lie, cheat, steal. Rampant shoplifting. Sigh. Who are we able to trust to do the right and the good? To borrow from Thomas Paine: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” (“The Crisis”)

Each time new such news arises, are we not left with a miserable feeling of being let down and more disillusioned, regardless of who it is? Often one “side” or position revels in bad news Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By DEACON CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
ELCA

Who is responsible? We’ve all heard the comment, “Somebody really should do something about that!” But who is that “somebody,” really? Do individuals have any responsibility for the way things are? Certainly, in this town, there are lots of ideas about what “somebody” ought to do about “the way things are,” but is it helpful to complain without lifting a finger?

In Hebrew Scripture, the Prophets write about failing Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Whew! What a goat-rope that election for the Speaker of the House was this week. It was wearying to see the infighting and negotiating for bargaining chips. But almost every election cycle, although in less lengthy and formal processes, there is battle for the gavel. Of course, we only see and hear a smattering of what really goes on; who knows what deals are made when power plays are going on. Will those deals be for the benefit of the people, or simply for the benefit of the power players? We tremble to think it.

I couldn’t help but think of such while reading recently the account of Read More