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 The Rev. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill

October 31-November 2 is what the Church sometimes calls “Allhallowtide.” These three days include All Saints/Hallows’ Eve on October 31, All Saints’ Day on November 1, and All Souls’ Day on November 2. This is the time of year when we intentionally remember that “great cloud of witnesses” of which St. Paul speaks.

Besides the official Saints of the Church, we also remember the ordinary Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Have you ever noticed how politicians say “I” and “me” a lot? I mean … how can you not have? And their minions praise them to the skies … at least in press conferences; who knows what is said behind closed doors? Whether presidents, governors, mayors … representatives, senators, etc., so many seem to do it. But in a way it appears to diminish the actions of their subordinates who actually get things done. Anyone who has been in the military knows that officers oftentimes are praised though it’s the sergeants and the lower ranks who do the work. Even in churches, we priests and Read More

A recent view of Chartres Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral in Chartres, France, about 50 miles southwest of Paris. Photo by Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb

By Deacon Cynthia Z. Biddlecomb
(ELCA) retired

On a recent visit to France, with the help of knowledgeable guides, my eyes were opened to the symbolic way that churches were laid out in medieval times. Ancient church architecture was very specific and intentional: the medieval building is often cruciform in shape, and stained-glass windows were used to visually teach the faith. I learned there’s more to it.

As one enters a medieval church, the Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

When you watch the fiction of television, you’ll often see portrayals of freedom as being unrestrained license to do anything that passions impel you to do at the moment. Sadly, often tragically, things don’t tend to turn out well when you do that—either for yourself or for those around you. TV is, after all, fiction. How much pain has been doled out because we don’t restrain ourselves when we give in to temptations moving us to do things which are wrong—the tearing apart of families, destruction of financial security, health problems, feuds, and even murder, etc.

Freedom, according Read More