Sitting Down to Eat with Jesus

Jesus himself might not have the credentials for Communion in every sanctuary built in his honor. Except for one thing: Communion. The printed bulletin explained that participation in this ritual (called by some the Eucharist and by others the Lord’s Supper) was...

Men in Black, Men in Blue

I am nervous about these Men in Blue. I do not like the plot they seemed determined to play out on the global stage. So long, in fact, I accepted with delight the earphones offered by the attendant. I settled in for an hour of silliness, courtesy of the summer sequel...

What to Do With Stuff and Things

We went to an auction last month. An old man died and his children were selling all his stuff. I like auctions: the people, the food and, of course, the stuff. I like to look at all the stuff. Jesus would go to an auction every now and then, don’t you think? I...

Survival Guide for Orthodox Churches

Recommendation: Secure a Starbucks franchise; locate it in what is now the prayer room just off the foyer. If a communion service is absolutely necessary, develop techniques to make it move a little quicker; research shows that videos during the lag time are well...

Kingsolver Tackles the Sermon

Instead of the sermon, Kingsolver has turned her considerable talent to the novel, the essay and the short story. “What makes writing good?” is the question she asks, but the answer she gives could have been provoked by asking about good preaching....