Today marked Colin McEnroe's final day at what has been Connecticut's flagship station- WTIC-AM, 1080. Management's decision to take him off the air is quite sad- He is witty, literate, well versed in a wide array of topics and, quite frankly, one of the few radio personalities capable of engaging in an in depth exploration of religious topics.
I turn 56 on Friday----and I find myself lately doing my share of moaning about the way things were, but I have to say that when local radio loses so great a gift as Colin McEnroe, local radio ceases to be what it could be and, dare I say, once was.
If a station's going to carry Rush Limbaugh, nationally syndicated and conservative ( though I know several conservatives who disavow him!), why not a progressive voice, who happens to be LOCAL.....?
It's a real loss..
THANK YOU COLIN MCENROE for what you have given Connecticut...
PB
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A REALLY WONDERFUL NEW BOOK.....
One of the pleasures I enjoy most each Christmastide is the opportunity to sit down and read some new books. As usual, since Christmas day, I've been juggling three of them, all good in their own right. The one I want to comment on today is the first one of the triumvirate that I finished, Susan Campbell's DATING JESUS.
Ms. Campbell is a writer for the Hartford Courant and I've long admired her work. When i read that she had written this book, I asked for it as a Christmas gift. I'm not at all dissapointed.
I would describe it as a poignant and deeply moving memoir of a woman's religious journey. Ms. Campbell was raised in a fundamentalist church and as she grew was struck with the conflict between how she was raised religiously and what she saw as the legitimate aspirations of women who believe in Jesus.
While I was neither raised a fundamentalist nor am female, I found this book resonating with my own experience in my personal religious milieu. This book is strong on a number of counts:
* She tells a great story
* She knows her Scripture and has integrated it deeply
* She offers some great insights into Biblical passages
* She lays out her search and her questions....
On top of all this.......the ending is amazing and makescomplete sense of the title, a title that might make some who take religion VERY seriously gasp, if only mildly..!!
I'm aware of the limitations of writing about a book you have not read, so I'll stop now and suggest that if you get a chance, you give it a look. If you want to read a book that takes the personal journey of faith seriously and has something to say about the way human beings need to engage religious issues....this is your book......
And, though I'm not sure this was her intent, this author has given me much to think about as a 21st century Pastor in the universal church of Jesus Christ.
To read more...go to www.datingjesus.net
Ms. Campbell is a writer for the Hartford Courant and I've long admired her work. When i read that she had written this book, I asked for it as a Christmas gift. I'm not at all dissapointed.
I would describe it as a poignant and deeply moving memoir of a woman's religious journey. Ms. Campbell was raised in a fundamentalist church and as she grew was struck with the conflict between how she was raised religiously and what she saw as the legitimate aspirations of women who believe in Jesus.
While I was neither raised a fundamentalist nor am female, I found this book resonating with my own experience in my personal religious milieu. This book is strong on a number of counts:
* She tells a great story
* She knows her Scripture and has integrated it deeply
* She offers some great insights into Biblical passages
* She lays out her search and her questions....
On top of all this.......the ending is amazing and makescomplete sense of the title, a title that might make some who take religion VERY seriously gasp, if only mildly..!!
I'm aware of the limitations of writing about a book you have not read, so I'll stop now and suggest that if you get a chance, you give it a look. If you want to read a book that takes the personal journey of faith seriously and has something to say about the way human beings need to engage religious issues....this is your book......
And, though I'm not sure this was her intent, this author has given me much to think about as a 21st century Pastor in the universal church of Jesus Christ.
To read more...go to www.datingjesus.net
Sunday, December 28, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR~ 2009!!
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2009!
I'd also like to thank you for being a reader of this BLOG- Through it, I hope the conversation we begin in church continues and that, through the ministry of our church, we are more deeply connected to those beyond our walls!
Pastor Bob
I'd also like to thank you for being a reader of this BLOG- Through it, I hope the conversation we begin in church continues and that, through the ministry of our church, we are more deeply connected to those beyond our walls!
Pastor Bob
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rev. Rick Warren, President-Elect Obama and the Inauguration
A controversy has arisen because our newly elected President has chosen Rev. Rick Warren to give the Invocation at his inauguration. Many supporters of marriage equality for homosexuals have expressed discontent at the choice in light of the role Rev. Warren's church played in opposing same sex marriage in the recent California referendum. Their argument is that this selection is an insult to homosexual Americans.
I'm not crazy about the selection of Rev. Warren. I honestly think that among the clergy in the United States there are MANY who have a more thorough, detailed and balanced grasp of theological issues and the relationship of religion and politics. Quite honestly, I was dissapointed in the way Rev.Warren handled the Presidential forum during the Fall campaign.
If I had my way, the prayer would be delivered by someone like Rev. John Thomas, UCC President, or Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and director of SOJOURNERS or a Susan Brooks Thisthewaite, former President of Chicago Theological Seminary or any number of prominent Bishops, theologians, or pastoral leaders from a variety of backgrounds and traditions.
Having said this, I will also say that in inviting Rick Warren to the podium in DC on Inauguration day, the new President, who strongly opposes Rev. Warren's view on homosexual rights, IS sending the message that, despite our differences, we can find a unity in a common faith that seeks ethical solutions to our problems.
In short, I don't think it was a good choice, but NOT because Rev. Warren's position on this issue is different from mine. I just think there are better representatives out there of an approach to religion and government that makes sense for this republic!
I'm not crazy about the selection of Rev. Warren. I honestly think that among the clergy in the United States there are MANY who have a more thorough, detailed and balanced grasp of theological issues and the relationship of religion and politics. Quite honestly, I was dissapointed in the way Rev.Warren handled the Presidential forum during the Fall campaign.
If I had my way, the prayer would be delivered by someone like Rev. John Thomas, UCC President, or Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and director of SOJOURNERS or a Susan Brooks Thisthewaite, former President of Chicago Theological Seminary or any number of prominent Bishops, theologians, or pastoral leaders from a variety of backgrounds and traditions.
Having said this, I will also say that in inviting Rick Warren to the podium in DC on Inauguration day, the new President, who strongly opposes Rev. Warren's view on homosexual rights, IS sending the message that, despite our differences, we can find a unity in a common faith that seeks ethical solutions to our problems.
In short, I don't think it was a good choice, but NOT because Rev. Warren's position on this issue is different from mine. I just think there are better representatives out there of an approach to religion and government that makes sense for this republic!
NEWSWEEK COVER STORY
This BLOG has hosted a couple of lively discussions on the topic of same sex marriage, the most recent of which led me to express some concerns about the use of anonymous comments that contain pretty strong attacks, often bordering on the personal.
So, it's not my intent to stir up a hornet's nest as we draw near to this celebration of the birth of Jesus. However,since I strongly believe that this faith we celebrate is a faith that touches on the REAL ISSUES we confront, I think it is important to commend to you Newsweek's 12/15 cover story on the subject of gay marriage. Here is the link for this story:
www.newsweek.com/id/172653
NOTE: The argumentation contained within this article should be familiar to those who were present at the BACK TO THE BIBLE sermon series I preached in 2007.
ANOTHER NOTE: The author has written a piece that should succeed in helping us engage in a serious reflection about this topic. Lisa Miller is to be commended for the way in which she puts the issues front and center for us to consider!
With prayer that we shall seek to be faithful to Jesus...let the conversation begin...
PB
So, it's not my intent to stir up a hornet's nest as we draw near to this celebration of the birth of Jesus. However,since I strongly believe that this faith we celebrate is a faith that touches on the REAL ISSUES we confront, I think it is important to commend to you Newsweek's 12/15 cover story on the subject of gay marriage. Here is the link for this story:
www.newsweek.com/id/172653
NOTE: The argumentation contained within this article should be familiar to those who were present at the BACK TO THE BIBLE sermon series I preached in 2007.
ANOTHER NOTE: The author has written a piece that should succeed in helping us engage in a serious reflection about this topic. Lisa Miller is to be commended for the way in which she puts the issues front and center for us to consider!
With prayer that we shall seek to be faithful to Jesus...let the conversation begin...
PB
Saturday, December 13, 2008
MARY, WOMAN FOR ALL CHRISTIANS
' MARY, DID YOU KNOW?' has become an immensely popular song around Christmastime, with considerable popularity among those who espouse a Protestant approach to Christianity, perhaps especially among evangelicals. It was not that long ago when Mary was underappreciated among Protestants and when one of the real dividing points between Catholics and Protestants had to do with what the other believed about Mary.
I remember back when I was young how Catholics were often taught that Protestants didn't 'believe in Mary' and when Protestants were taught how Catholics 'worshiped Mary and put her on too high a pedestal.'
It seems to me that perhaps we have reached a point in which we can appreciate Mary as an amazing figure in the Christian story. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent in our church, we will hear a moving sung version of Mary's MAGNIFICAT from the Gospel according to Luke, in which we see Mary as really fulfilling her role in what can best be described as humanity's liberation.
Mary is an amazing model of fidelity to God and of trust in God despite some pretty frightening adverse conditions. As the mother of Jesus, her role as his teacher and guide was truly an incredible one.
While even to this day, there remain theological differences among Christians regarding Mary, differences I will be happy to touch upon when asked, it's important around Christmastime to honor Mary's place in this remarkable story and to find points of consensus among Christians about this remarkable young woman.
I will be happy to write more, but, for now....enjoy the song:
http://www.wrensworld.com/marydiduknow.htm
I remember back when I was young how Catholics were often taught that Protestants didn't 'believe in Mary' and when Protestants were taught how Catholics 'worshiped Mary and put her on too high a pedestal.'
It seems to me that perhaps we have reached a point in which we can appreciate Mary as an amazing figure in the Christian story. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent in our church, we will hear a moving sung version of Mary's MAGNIFICAT from the Gospel according to Luke, in which we see Mary as really fulfilling her role in what can best be described as humanity's liberation.
Mary is an amazing model of fidelity to God and of trust in God despite some pretty frightening adverse conditions. As the mother of Jesus, her role as his teacher and guide was truly an incredible one.
While even to this day, there remain theological differences among Christians regarding Mary, differences I will be happy to touch upon when asked, it's important around Christmastime to honor Mary's place in this remarkable story and to find points of consensus among Christians about this remarkable young woman.
I will be happy to write more, but, for now....enjoy the song:
http://www.wrensworld.com/marydiduknow.htm
Monday, December 8, 2008
SMALL, PROGRESSIVE, ALIVE
As I was enjoying a wonderful Advent weekend at my church, a weekend filled with vitality and life, several ideas about churches struck me:
1. Churches come in all shapes and sizes
2. What is often not realized is that MOST of the churches in this country are what we would call SMALL churches and a large number of SMALL churches are in SMALL towns.
3. So often, LARGE churches have to find creative ways to seem smaller and more personal to members and guests. In a real way, small churches have a built in advantage in this regard.
Yet an overriding thought came to me also:
That the worldwide Christian church NEEDS small churches that are SMALL, PROGRESSIVE and ALIVE:
- Small: personal, with a sense of connection and community.
-Progressive- open and hospitable, clear about conveying the message that one can be deeply united even when living side by side with those of differing views, churches built on the deep, deep love of Jesus as foundation for the incredible respect it gives to fellow seekers of that which is good and true, a sense of MISSION to those beyond its walls. A church in which DIALOGUE based on respect and trust is essential.
- Alive-multigenerational, filled with constructive, unifying activity, opportunities to sing and to experience the very best in worship-good preaching, reverent prayer, a variety of worship styles, active, conscious participation in worship leadership.....
As sad as it is to say, many folks are lost in the big, wide world of churches these days- They feel disconnected or unwanted or judged so negatively they would never set a foot within...
Sad at Christmas...
Sad always, really..
The Christian world needs the small churches that dot our nation's landscapes- churches that are warm, hospitable, filled with energy and reaching out with an astonishing sense of WELCOME!
In this season of PEACE and LOVE and HOPE and JOY, please pray for America's little churches.....churches with a very big mission...
..............and please keep the Congregational Chucrh of Union, Connecticut,UCC, in your prayers as you do..
Pastor Bob
1. Churches come in all shapes and sizes
2. What is often not realized is that MOST of the churches in this country are what we would call SMALL churches and a large number of SMALL churches are in SMALL towns.
3. So often, LARGE churches have to find creative ways to seem smaller and more personal to members and guests. In a real way, small churches have a built in advantage in this regard.
Yet an overriding thought came to me also:
That the worldwide Christian church NEEDS small churches that are SMALL, PROGRESSIVE and ALIVE:
- Small: personal, with a sense of connection and community.
-Progressive- open and hospitable, clear about conveying the message that one can be deeply united even when living side by side with those of differing views, churches built on the deep, deep love of Jesus as foundation for the incredible respect it gives to fellow seekers of that which is good and true, a sense of MISSION to those beyond its walls. A church in which DIALOGUE based on respect and trust is essential.
- Alive-multigenerational, filled with constructive, unifying activity, opportunities to sing and to experience the very best in worship-good preaching, reverent prayer, a variety of worship styles, active, conscious participation in worship leadership.....
As sad as it is to say, many folks are lost in the big, wide world of churches these days- They feel disconnected or unwanted or judged so negatively they would never set a foot within...
Sad at Christmas...
Sad always, really..
The Christian world needs the small churches that dot our nation's landscapes- churches that are warm, hospitable, filled with energy and reaching out with an astonishing sense of WELCOME!
In this season of PEACE and LOVE and HOPE and JOY, please pray for America's little churches.....churches with a very big mission...
..............and please keep the Congregational Chucrh of Union, Connecticut,UCC, in your prayers as you do..
Pastor Bob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)