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The No Shame Zone

One young person’s subversive thoughts on church and society   Single but not lonelyThe recent Supreme Court decision in favor of same-gender marriage had one serious flaw: it indirectly promoted the myth that you can’t have a fulfilling life without being married. by Tad Hopp The Supreme Court has finally ruled that same-gender marriage is… Read more »

justleros = more than just nonsense or disparates

A space for a contemporary woman disciple to give voice to justice concerns in a world where some still think that women’s words are just leros (Greek for “nonsense”) or, in Spanish, disparates   Move us to compassionA reflection and confession based on Mark 6:30–34 by Magdalena I. García The apostles gathered around Jesus and… Read more »

Souls of White Folks

Guest columnist   Measuring (black) life with white tape What it’s like to be black in a country where white is normal by Derrick L. Weston My colleague Jeff Schooley asked me to contribute a companion piece to his latest Souls of White Folks article. I am privileged and happy to add some perspective. Whereas… Read more »

Souls of White Folks

A white man’s frank and repentant exploration of how racism finds a home in white folks’ souls.   Double-unconsciousness The blinding effect of the spiritual problem of racism by Jeffrey A. Schooley The Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world—a world which yields… Read more »

YoRocko Podcast

Conversations with church leaders about projects that matter   Rocky Supinger talks with Derrick WestonDerrick talks about community organizing in Baltimore through the 29th Street Community Center and about his experience blogging and podcasting.   <—- Derrick Weston is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a community builder for the 29th Street Community… Read more »

Recovering Reverend

You can take the pastor out of the church, but you can’t take the Church out of the pastor.   FlamingHaving your church burnt down by a white supremacist is persecution. Two people of the same sex getting married is not. by Derrick L. Weston There is a tone deafness in some segments of American… Read more »

Pilgrim Poems

If not now, when?   Watch and learnGo to the ant . . . consider its ways, and be wise. —Prov. 6:6 by Rose Niles Carapace of industry on the march.Discovered:mountainous crumb.Careen to return home the prize.Oldest friendsI name youAmber and onyx.Scuttlers,observedfound peace in cooperative harmony.Others scorned digging in theDirt(But I knew better)Chaotic secrets of that… Read more »

Scribbling Outside the Lines

Playing beyond the boundaries in hopes of finding God and inspiration   Nine by Adam Walker Cleaveland Nine.Nine bodies.Nine bodies on the ground.Nine black bodies on the ground. It’s been three weeks since the devastating shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. In the piece below, the letters of the… Read more »

A Mote in Minerva’s Eye

Seeing without categorizing   Heaven’s tent The boundaries of the Presbyterian family are determined by the Holy Spirit, not us. by Anita Coleman I’ve known a Heaven, like a Tent— To wrap its shining Yards—   Pluck up its stakes, and disappear— Without the sound of Boards
 Or Rip of Nail—Or Carpenter—
 But just the… Read more »

justleros = more than just nonsense or disparates

A space for a contemporary woman disciple to give voice to justice concerns in a world where some still think that women’s words are just leros (Greek for “nonsense”) or, in Spanish, disparates   Rolling headsA reflection and confession based on Mark 6:14–29 by Magdalena I. García King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name… Read more »