News & Articles
WEIGHT ON THE ARCH
A recent study conducted by a research center found that a growing number of clergypersons are leaving their vocation or are tempted to do so. Being the son of a minister, I was already aware of the toll that the position takes on people. I remember my father having to conduct a funeral before officiating…
THE POWER OF MEMORY
Several years ago, I was invited to speak at a conference center in southern Wisconsin on interfaith relations. It wasn’t until I looked at the conference brochure that I realized that I’d be returning to a place where I’d spent summers as a boy. The conference center was always magical to me. The grounds were…
We Are All Caretakers
In the writing workshops that I offer, I begin by sharing with participants what we all have in common. We are all caretakers of stories that will never be known unless we tell them. This is true whether we are talking about non-fiction, fiction, poetry, plays, or songs. To be a caretaker of anything or…
Facing The Future With Open Eyes
The new year begins with a lot of uncertainty, and it’s likely that our nation and the world will look quite different before 2025. On the global scene, will 2024 bring a resolution to the war in Ukraine? The answer to that depends not just on Putin and Zelensky, but also on American politicians. If…
It’s About Time
After church services a week ago, a friend stopped me and asked, “Is it just me, or does it seem that time is speeding up?” Without a second thought, I agreed. The New Year’s holiday brings with it a heightened sense of time. On the one hand, the holiday invites us to look backward, to…
It’s Okay To Be Sentimental
Looking back over the years, I realize that many of my clearest Christmas memories are from when my wife and I were first married or when our boys were little. Paradoxically, those were the days when money was tightest. One of my favorite Christmas memories stems from when we were in graduate school in Scotland.…