Community

I am writing this from the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, also known as “La Casa de Paz y Bien,” more commonly called, The Casa. The Casa is located in the middle of a major metropolitan area, but you would never know it from the center of the campus. There are several buildings but a large…

Back in May, I was contacted by our Presbytery’s nominating committee asking if I would serve as the commissioner for the General Assembly (the elected commissioner was having surgery and could not attend). I hesitated at first. I knew this would take time and energy and I don’t have much of either to spare. However,…

I have a confession to make: It has taken me a year and a half to access my office voicemail. When I finally figured it out, I had 22 messages. I listened to them all. Each one represented an important communication that someone was trying to convey to me. Fortunately, each person got in touch…

Over the past few years I have gotten used to what I call the “storms of bad news.” Sometimes I see them coming over the horizon, other times they flash out without warning. Tragic acts of violence, public health crises, intense political conflicts, or ecological disasters ride in like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,…

When I was in seminary a friend helped me prepare for my ordination exams. At our first session he asked, “Who governs the church?” “…God?” I replied, sheepishly, like a kid in Sunday school. He let out a quiet sigh, a clear signal that I should try again. Not knowing where this was heading, I…