By G. Jeffrey MacDonaldg.jeffrey.macdonald@gmail.com Seven of eight child choristers are poised in their seats around a grand piano when the clock strikes five in a quaint neighborhood parish hall just a stone’s throw from Narragansett Bay. When the last girl scurries in with her dad two minutes later, rehearsal has already begun. Holy Week has just ended and some might … [Read more...] about Young Singers Revive a Parish
Archives for April 2016
Relentlessly Baptismal
Knight of Cups Dogwood Films and Waypoint Entertainment Directed by Terrence Malick Review by Hannah Ruth Earl The mythos of a California setting is culture-worn and well trod. Waves and palm trees serve as harbingers of a particularly American form of self-direction via self-destruction. In Knight of Cups, director Terrence Malick subverts this popular narrative … [Read more...] about Relentlessly Baptismal
Dana Gioia: Why Poetry Matters
By Peggy Eastman In an era of Twitter and texting, poetry matters more than ever, said Dana Gioia, poet laureate of California, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and author of five poetry collections. Poetry is as old as the human need to communicate and enriches human consciousness, Gioia said in an address at the National Press Club April … [Read more...] about Dana Gioia: Why Poetry Matters
Alpha Reboots
Global Briefs Edited by John Martin Alpha, which has reached 29 million people in 170 countries, has been revamped for the digital age. Alpha began in 1977 as a 10-week basic Christianity course at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London’s West End. When the Rev. Nicky Gumbel took over its development in 1991 there were just four courses running. He refined it and it began … [Read more...] about Alpha Reboots
TLC Wins 7 Awards
The Living Church won seven awards from the Associated Church Press (ACP) and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), professional organizations of ecumenical church communicators that recognize achievement in Christian reporting, editing, marketing, and design. Both organizations announced the awards at their annual conventions in April. “Stopping Human Traffic,” written … [Read more...] about TLC Wins 7 Awards
Enlarged Vision
Acts 11:1-18 • Ps. 148 • Rev. 21:1-6 • John 13:31-35 How good is it when earth is joined to heaven and human beings everywhere are reconciled to God (Exultet of Easter, Col. 1:20). Start with heaven above. The heavens, heights, angels, hosts, sun and moon, shining stars: all, by virtue of their existence from the font of generous being, abound in endless praise (Ps. … [Read more...] about Enlarged Vision
Song in the Valley of Death
Images of Patty McKellar courtesy of her husband, Judson By Fletcher Lowe My longtime friend Patty McKellar died of a disease that still strikes deep fear in many of us. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or progressive muscle weakness, is the disease that shortened the career and life of the beloved baseball player Lou Gehrig. It summons fearful images of paralysis and … [Read more...] about Song in the Valley of Death
Bp. Andrews to Lead Wycliffe
Adapted from a Wycliffe College announcement The Rt. Rev. Stephen Andrews, Bishop of Algoma in Ontario, since 2009, has been appointed 10th principal of Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto. Bishop Andrews has worked in ministry, theological scholarship, and higher education for more than 30 years. He earned his Master of Divinity at Wycliffe College and holds a … [Read more...] about Bp. Andrews to Lead Wycliffe