Ruth VanDemark, our colleague on this journal and in our synod, died on June 9th of complications from breast cancer. She was deeply devoted to the ministry and mission of Let’s Talk, to foster thoughtful theological conversation in our synod and beyond. She co-edited our 2010 issue on “Environmental Theology” and was instrumental, though uncredited, […]
On the Way: Children of the Heavenly Father
The phantom-limb sensation of parenting two children lasted for about a month. For over two years, my wife, son and I had been the family for a foster child placed in our care well before her first birthday. Caring for her was a great blessing and an adventure, though it was, not coincidentally, a daily […]
As I See It: Training Youth To Visit Other Churches
It intrigues and concerns me that many of our young people don’t seek out worshiping communities when they leave home, for example, to go away to college or university. Yet they readily return to worship at their home church when they are home visiting their parents. So they cut loose from family routines when they […]
Sea Monsters, Butterflyfish, and the Hiddenness of God
Annie Dillard once wrote: “Nothing could more surely convince me of God’s unending mercy than the continued existence on earth of the church.”1 True enough, but I would also add a corollary: nothing could more surely convince me of God’s hiddenness than the continued existence of theology. The history of theological reflection might plausibly be […]
“I have called you by name”: The Calling of Parenthood in the Midst of Grief
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…” […]
A Mother’s Day Sermon
Sixth Sunday of Easter, 2012 John 15:9-17 9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that […]
Washing the Diapers: On gratitude, justice, and living in a broken world
I’d just picked up my daughter Harper from preschool. When she was safely buckled into the car and we were headed toward home, we turned onto the main thoroughfare that runs from downtown to our neighborhood, and there she was: the homeless woman we see standing on that corner nearly every day. She stands holding […]
Faithful Parenting: It’s in the Story!
Economically, emotionally, and socially, they had known mean lives. They practiced the few parenting resources they had received on their children. My parents were capricious, insular, and hard as nails. They choked on compassion and squashed rebellion. They did not go to church. They did not pray or read the Bible. Their social lives and […]
Writing Our Children
This morning, my daughter and I ate yogurt, granola, and plums for breakfast. We sat together on the couch and read The Time of Easter, a rather dry picture book that explains the theological roots of Holy Week via the persona of two church mice. Then Thisbe and I walked to the library and I […]