Nothing is forever. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn,…
Everyone votes at a Passover seder, the traditional formal meal on the first night of the holiday. Who will engage in lucid conversation about policy questions meant to advance the seder project and potentially advance the Jewish people? Who will play outsider and reject the rules and format, but nevertheless conform to the project simply by asking how nothing has changed? Who will sit and…
During this election cycle many Christians and evangelicals have decided to vote based on anger, emotions, and political ideology over obedience to the Bible’s criteria for electing the right person. I am not an evangelical. I am unapologetically a truly Bible-believing Christian. What this means is that I believe that the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the…
Responses to my column last month have made me think deeply about listening. I said before we need to listen to others first rather than try convincing them by talking first. That kind of listening, though, is really not enough. We also need to listen to ourselves. The reality is that we can’t hear someone else when our souls are making turbulent, unfiltered noise. I…
As a teenager I remember the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky affair. Wait. Was it an affair? They never had sex so apparently it wasn’t an affair, but just an inappropriate set of events. The famous words uttered by the President were “I did not have sex with that woman.” As a teenager I thought to myself, what is the big deal? I argued like…
Politics is one of the hardest topics for clergy to talk about. Legally, we cannot tell our communities how to vote. If it were legal, we would face the even tougher issue of backlash within our community from those who disagree. Beyond preaching the importance of participation, there is one thin line we can speak on — values. Religion, faith, and spirituality determine our value…
Religion and politics are sometimes considered dirty topics. People pledge to keep these two topics off the table when gathering for family events. The media portrays families always having an argument between that gun toting confederate flag waving uncle and the pro choice gay marriage supporting niece. I am sure the reality is not that drastic but it still illustrates the point, that religion and…
While jazz can usually be heard on the radio or in a venue, people typically don’t think of hearing it in church. However, that’s exactly where it can be heard on Sunday, Feb. 7 when the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square hosts a “Jazz Mass” at the 10 a.m. service to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Directed…
Want to make up for the fact that you missed seeing Pope Francis? The FIAT 500L he used during his historic visit to Philadelphia in September is going up for bid. The vehicle will be auctioned to the public at the annual Philadelphia Auto Show Black Tie Tailgate at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday, Jan. 29 at 9 p.m., according to a press release…
Just in time for this weekend, The Maccabeats, a Yeshiva University-based a capella group, left behind its usual Jewish setting of lyrics, subjects, and New York or Israel backgrounds for something seemingly very different. They joined forces with Naturally 7, an African-American a capella group, to cover James Taylor’s song “Shine A Little Light” on the site of the Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.…
Jesus told his disciples, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, ‘Nothing.’ He said to them, but now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled…