And the steeple bell rang A rural church’s Holy Week witness in a pandemic by Donna Frischknecht Jackson Frank, I really don’t think it’s a good idea to gather at the church. Yes, I know this is the holiest of weeks. You are correct. Easter is coming. Yes, I know you miss your church…. Read more »
April 7, 2020
Barn Boots and Blessings
And the steeple bell rang A rural church’s Holy Week witness in a pandemic by Donna Frischknecht Jackson Frank, I really don’t think it’s a good idea to gather at the church. Yes, I know this is the holiest of weeks. You are correct. Easter is coming. Yes, I know you miss your church…. Read more »
Lenten ‘one mores’ Hope and love in the dark valley by Donna Frischknecht Jackson Even though I walk through the darkest valley … you are with me. — Psalm 23 It is Lent and I have found myself walking in one of the darkest valleys one can walk — the valley of death…. 
Statue of “Christ the Redeemer,” Rio de Janeiro, Brazil What is a redeemer? Its original meaning may surprise you by Rebecca Lister But now, says the Lord— the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called… 
Unexpected Surprises What genealogies reveal by Rebecca Lister Do you ever get irritated when reading genealogies in the Bible? All that “so-and-so begat so-and-so…” Most of the time, we just skip over these lists of unpronounceable names to get to the good parts that really matter. Yet, genealogies hold deep meaning for us if we… 
Church leadership bedrocks Are we leading out of expectations or principles? by N. Graham Standish I’ve been working with a pastor for a number of years, helping him invigorate a somewhat stagnant church. We’ve talked about a lot in the process, and the results of our conversations are showing signs of breathing new… 
Peace, faith and power A Revised Common Lectionary resource for April 8 by Magdalena I. García Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ – John 20:29 Read the full lectionary passage here When we are afraid to… 
Snail mail still works Thinking through technology’s uses by Richard Hong My first job was in software development, creating the first-generation of programs that replaced laboratory notebooks with computer systems. Our clients expected that computerization would solve their problems. But we had a saying: “The computer doesn’t do it better, it just does… 
Ashes and violence and teen’s question: Why? by Donna Frischknecht Jackson The sanctuary was mostly quiet. Every now and then a hum, rattle and swoosh from the ancient heating system would interrupt the stillness. It was a welcomed noise as I was trying hard to keep the cavernous room at a toasty 60… 
And the Walls Came a Tumblin’ Down What ‘walls’ do we need God to tear down in our lives? by Rebecca Lister And the walls came a tumblin’ down. These words came to me the other morning as I was listening to an interview by the author of a book entitled The Line Becomes a… 
Finding God in the Junk Drawer A much-needed reminder to ‘watch for God’ by Donna Frischknecht Jackson God spoke to me the other day. I wasn’t standing on some mountaintop. Nor was I lying prostrate on the floor. I wasn’t even kneeling in the quiet of the old sanctuary of the little rural church…