I grew up in the Lehigh Valley ofPennsylvania, first settled by Moravians, German speaking Protestants fromEastern Europe suffering persecution in the 17th and 18thcenturies. They chose biblical names fortheir communities. My hometown was Emmaus, for example. And it was a short distance from there toBethlehem, known as “The Christmas City.” The Moravians have many beautiful traditions and hymns for theholidays. One of my favorite Christmascarols is “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” One verse goes,..
I was born, raised and have lived my entire life near Lake Erie. The fourth-smallest of the Great Lakes has a majestic shoreline that extends across the state and north..
When I reflect on growing up and Lenten experience, I think of Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I didn’t always understand Lent as described in these words:
For years, I longed for a child. Due to health concerns, I was unable to have a baby for years - yet, I remained hopeful that one day a child would enter my life. I held..
Through the remaining five weeks of this Lenten season, we will be reflecting on daily scripture readings. Each blog writer will reflect on their experiences alongside..
The contrasts of Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are deeply engrained in many Christians. New Orleans, the home of that most American rendition of Mardi Gras, announced..
We begin February by reflecting on American Heart Month. The heart is command central, sending oxygen and blood pulsating through all the systems of the body. Its..
As we continue this series around the concepts of Parker Palmer’s Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy, Rev. Bobbie McKay, Ph.D., reflects on the capacity to..
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, I was a few minutes late to a Zoom meeting with the other writers of this blog. I was late because I chose to watch what was happening at..
In our newest Abundant Aging blog, we are asked to explore and respect “otherness” as a way to build bridges. English poet William Cowper wrote hymns and poems...
