Moral discernment

As the mainline Protestant denomination that is out in front of the movement for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the church, the UCC is often portrayed in the media as some peculiar exception to “what Christians think” – or ignored altogether. So I thought this development was an encouraging sign:
It [...]

Muslim perspectives on the life of Jesus and resurrection

To members and friends of St. James UCC… getting ready for Sunday, May 9
We’ll return to some experiences of looking at spiritual truth from outside the Christian tradition with the visit of Sr. Sheikha Farhanahz Ellis who is the Interfaith and Outreach Director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) located in [...]

Interfaith conversations around some Jesus narratives, death and resurrection

In what is known as the Apostle’s Creed, a statement of belief developed to educate those who became converts to Christianity – but was then also used regularly in much of its liturgical worship – these basic statements are at its core:
Jesus was born, was crucified (under Pontius Pilate’s decree), died and went [...]

The cheapening of religion

An interesting comment by a reader of Andrew Sullivan’s blog describes the “cheapening of religion” that seems to have found its essential expression in the absurd outburst by Brit Hume. It seems to me that we’ve been seeing quite a bit of this sort of thing in Loudoun, such as in the recent outburst over [...]

Aren’t we all God’s children?

I was listening to a very “conservative Christian” radio commentator the other day. She was rejoicing in the signs of springtime appearing around us, reflecting on the idea that everything must die in the winter in order for there to be the resurrection of life in the Spring. Did she know that she was expressing [...]

Choices

Today’s Reading is a excerpt from “My Stroke of Insight” by Jill Bolte TAylor, Ph.D  From Page 148.
……….More often than not, I don’t like how agression feels inside my body so I shy away from the hostile confrontation and choose compassion.
For me now, it’s really easy to be kind to others when I remember that [...]

A tale of two Christmas services

I don’t think I can let this Epiphany season conclude without sharing this small “aha” moment. My partner and I have occasionally attended services at another church in our community, the Lovettsville Community Church. This congregation used to be known as the Church of the Valley, founded by Pastor Jay Ahlemann. It’s the church responsible [...]