Spirituality

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

By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb
ELCA, retired

In the eighteenth chapter of Genesis, Abraham and Sarah, the couple chosen as progenitors of the People of God, receive a visit. Living in a tent, in an inhospitable wilderness, they would offer hospitality to anyone who came by. In this case, their visitors were a trio of holy ones, come to bring further news of God’s promise to them.

The story is a favorite of mine. In it we have the tradition Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

A headline caught the eye recently: “Denzel Washington Blasts Cancel Culture; Says Faith Matters More Than Followers”. Asked whether he was concerned about losing approval and followers by not acquiescing to popular culture, Mr. Washington responded: “I don’t follow anybody … I follow God, I don’t follow man. I have faith in God.” He added: “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.” This reminds of Oscar Wilde: “A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.”

In a world saturated with noise—social media clamor, cultural trends, and the relentless Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

There are likely few of us who have not passed over opportunities—sometimes pressing—to help others. That is our fault of selfishness—putting wants ahead of the needs of others, whether that personal desire be of money, time, convenience, etc. The French philosopher Voltaire’s provocative statement, “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do,” tends to subtly chastise us on such occasions, and conscience challenges us to reflect on the moral weight of inaction, a principle that resonates deeply within biblical teachings, historical examples, and plain ol’ human Read More

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

By Pastor Lynn Finnegan
Associate Priest
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

This verse from the biblical book of Hebrews in the New Testament sure does sound good. It has all the right, strong words: faith, assurance, hope, conviction. But what do we do on those days/weeks/months when we can’t muster up faith, have only the assurance Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

The resistance—not infrequently violent—against Christianity that occurs at times is interesting to watch, albeit sad and tragic. This last week a Christian rock singer having a concert in Montreal was received by protesters outside of the church of venue, and the church fined for a concert without a permit, the singer claiming it was a worship service. Toe-MAY-toe, toe-MAH-toe … depending upon the point of view, or more likely the political or social motivations, of the beholder. Many on social media posit that the resistance was due to the singer’s pro-Trump leanings, Read More

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

By Deacon Amy Schmuck
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

“He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’

So he said to them,

‘When you pray, say:

Father may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do Read More