It was the dreaded church “calendaring meeting” — juggling special Sundays, worship themes, vacation dates and competing programming for the months ahead. We were finally past Advent to languidly plan January.
Of course, news such as that delivered by the wise men would naturally “upset the apple cart” of all those in authority — both political and religious — who were living during a time known as the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace.” It was a time in which the Roman authorities would ensure “peace” if the religious leaders would keep their own people in line. Clearly, the news of a new king was a threat to all who had some measure of power.
Ten pairs of trail shoes crunch up the carriage road. A dry August has browned trailside grass and prompted some early color amid the maples. Grasshoppers shoot off in all directions. A few monarch butterflies drift by in pursuit of milkweed. We are on our way to Elder’s Grove, an 8-acre stand of old-growth white pines that date to 1675.
How does our faith make a difference in the life of the world? How does it address systemic issues for real change? These are the questions the Rev. Thomas Watkins finds himself asking on a regular basis.
The Rev. Holly Clark-Porter, though, found herself doing more than stepping into the Christmas story her first holiday serving at First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia, New York. She found herself swimming in a sea of hundreds of creches.
Although the iconic Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog and its Christmas companion, the Sears Wish Book, are relics of a bygone age, the well-loved tradition of families poring over every one of its colorful pages in search of the perfect gift lives on in the Presbyterian Giving Catalog.
In a time of war, it’s hard to believe in a night where all can be calm and bright — let alone holy. But for the German and English troops hunkering in the muddy trenches on the Western Front during World War I, a miracle occurred.
In our church’s social media posts, we’ve noticed a trend: The single, static photo is declining in effectiveness compared to short video clips. Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) has been pushing “Reels,” which are videos less than 90 seconds long. There are two considerations in creating these Reels — technical aspects and content.
Most of us look forward to decorating our homes and seeing family for the holidays, even if that can be stressful at times. The season of joy can evoke powerful feelings, even under the best circumstances. But for those who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be even more difficult — especially if it is “the first holiday without … .”
