The Church has its own calendar, and each season has a color. We haven’t reached Pentecost yet, but we’re back to green until Ash Wednesday, meaning that it’s Ordinary Time. This might seem weird right now, considering COVID and all the crazy things going on … Continue reading Ordinary Epiphanies

I agree that these are stances and beliefs clearly opposed by the Gospel and are prevalent in the American Church. My disagreement with Pastor Watts is with his assertion that this way of sinning is somehow a new and uniquely American misrepresentation of God, Jesus, and Scripture.

When it comes to Sin, ehilr er Americans might put our own spin on it, our Sin is not very original.

The congregation I began serving as pastor in December 2020 provides a constant stream of amazement for me. I love getting to meet new people, learn new things about the ministry and history of the congregation, and hear stories of something wonderful we’ve done. I … Continue reading Normal Radicals

Disarming White Fragility & White Grief In the wake of George Floyd’s murder by a former police officer who’s now been charged with 2nd Degree Murder, we’ve seen protests for justice in cities across this nation and the world on our behalf. This type of … Continue reading The Shattering

Every year, I remember 9/11 with grief and disbelief. I was a college student on September 11, 2001. I was newly married. As were all of us, I was unprepared for the impact that day would have even as we watched the second plane hit … Continue reading I Remember Today: People Always Pay

Four years ago today around this time I wasn’t aware that in a few short hours I would be crying over the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9 by a young man radicalized by white nationalist rhetoric, and would have further cause to grieve as I … Continue reading Love Sees Color

Easy Hate A random thought popped up this morning when I saw this picture. It’s not difficult to think of examples of the hatefulness in which we all engage, at least to some degree. Our humor is rooted in making somebody the butt of jokes, … Continue reading Disarmed by Love

This is an important article. You should read it. I skim most of the articles I read on the internet…don’t scowl, you know you do it too. I read this whole thing. Twice. Carefully. I plan to read it again. In my opinion, this is … Continue reading Michelle Higgins: The Idea of Racial Reconciliation is Bankrupt: White Supremacy, the Church, and how to move forward

Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers delivered a powerful message this Sunday. It’s a message we all need to hear as we struggle with how we will respond to this new wave of emboldened racism. (This text is the link). If you didn’t read the sermon, stop … Continue reading What side are you on?

I’ve read a lot of good Facebook and blog posts, and well-written articles about Charlottesville the last couple of days. What makes me happy is I see a lot more anglo faces posting about this than maybe ever before. I’ve also heard the standard tropes: … Continue reading A Heritage of Hate