Spirituality

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Well, here we are almost at the new year … gym operators gearing up for the onrush of many resolutionists, kids trying to get as much as they can out of the quickly waning respite from school, CPAs dreading long hours, weeks and months prepping tax returns.

Speaking of government stuff, while not really in this column’s purview, something very important which will affect many came up in conversation with my CPA (of 40 years’ experience), missed by media attention, yet having potentially devastating effects for many—especially small businesses, and perhaps many readers.

Called 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

One of my favorite memes online describes how we feel in this “week between” the holidays of Christmas and New Year’s day as “Confused and Full of Cheese”. (See image)

I am here to encourage you in this week of continued festivities, days off from work, family and friend gatherings, and yes- more church services upon us, that you live into a prolonged sabbath rest as Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Ah … the weekend before Christmas, and all through the house …

Well … There are probably at least a few creatures stirring—parents wrapping gifts, bored kids out of school playing video games or on their phones and tablets, links to Amazon and Etsy and other shopping portals getting slammed by late shoppers hoping that their packages might…just might…arrive at their destinations before Christmas (“I’ll pay extra shipping! Just get it there before Wednesday!!”)

But, hopefully, in all the chaos and hubbub we might remember the whole reason for the season: the birth of 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 The Rev. Lynn M. Finnegan
Associate Rector
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith

“Safe travels.” “Text when you get there.” These are the text messages my family sends whenever one of us is traveling, either on a plane or a long car ride. The message is literal: we are hoping and praying that the travel goes smoothly, with no cancelled flights or road construction or accidents.

Compare this to the sentiment those of you who have walked Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Last weekend Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria fell to what have been reported to be U.S.-backed rebels. Subsequent videos coming from the area allegedly show atrocities occurring, including persecution of a large Christian population existing in Syria. We’ll have to see what the future brings. It will be especially trying for the Christians suffering so especially now that the Christmas season is fast approaching.

There were also videos supposedly displaying Assad’s “garage”—several tens of vehicles at least: Rolls Royces, Lamberghinis, Corvettes, Ferraris, Cadillacs, Read More