by Donald Hanna I remember years ago, I was teaching a confirmation class at a church where I worked. Some of the kids in the class began talking about “the church.” They went on and on about how the church was close-minded, how it was judgmental, how it was hypocritical, and how it was homophobic. … Continue reading
by Erika Marksbury An older man, let’s call him Abraham, has befriended my son, Oscar. Abraham attends the same church we do. I’m the pastor, so there’s always stuff to do afterwards, and my kids are left to fend for themselves, throwing paper airplanes off the balcony, seeing if they can scrounge up more cookies, … Continue reading
–By Joanna Harader As a parent, I failed Lent this year. Or I suppose a gracious professor might give me the “at least she tried ” D. I did order and even print “An Illustrated Lent” family devotional. It looks very nice and impressive in my three-ring binder. We actually did the devotions on two, … Continue reading
by Joe Greemore Reflection & Scripture Today was one of those marathon Sundays at church. You know the kind – the ‘breakfast-and-out-the-door to nine o’clock church school, ten-fifteen service, twelve-thirty lunch, three o’clock bells, four-thirty youth, six o’clock class, eight o’clock dinner’ days. I figured the kids would be exhausted – I was exhausted – … Continue reading
My job is hard on my son. I am a children’s ministry director. That means at least one day a week, my family is “at work” with me. For my husband and my daughter, this isn’t an issue. But my job is hard on my son. My son is an incredibly intelligent, sweet, compassionate and … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, I persuaded my husband to accompany me on a visit to the local Episcopal priest. With Easter Vigil and our daughter’s first birthday on the horizon, it was as though a reminder notification had gone off on my iPhone – “Time to Baptize the Baby.” My spouse (and, may I add, … Continue reading
Practicing Families 