Sad news about the six members of a religious order, the Melanesian Brotherhood, taken hostage in the Solomon Islands: a warlord confirms that all are dead. Please pray for the deceased. A news story from Australia and this official obituary fill-in the story. I first learned of the Melanesian Brotherhood when I found their liturgy,… Continue reading Sad news from the other side of the world
Author: Scott Wells
Big Sermon I: What is Christian?
I really didn’t get online to make the previous much-too-long statement, but to try and throw out a few ideas as I think about my next sermon, on August 24, the big annual “What is Universalism?” event for newcomers to church. The Christian cohort within the UUA, while producing some good minds, devoted laypersons, and… Continue reading Big Sermon I: What is Christian?
Would being many be harder than being one?
David Soliday asks in a comment at this entry to expound on my thoughts. Sure. I really believe that Unitarianism and Universalism were re-tooled in the years after the Second World War, and leading towards consolidation in 1961, to be a joint theological “other” from what had existed before. Some examples. In those early years,… Continue reading Would being many be harder than being one?
Strange hymn fact
I was in church today, but not preaching. That duty fell upon one of the deacons, Richard Hurst, who delivered a well-crafted sermon on anger, divine anger in particular. But what will stick with me for the next seven days — a question asked Mystery Worshippers at Ship of Fools — is learning that the… Continue reading Strange hymn fact
Housekeeping: Preferred stats tracking
A request for advice, my dear readers: I’m independently hosted, and don’t have user-friendly stats tracking. Philocrites and ABT [2009-08-13. defunct blog; see Ministrare] mentioned their unique visitors at the end of last month, and now I want to play. Recommended services?
Lawrence, deacon and martyr
St. Lawrence, martyred this day in 258, is one of my favorites from the early church. Of course, I first learned of him from the two-degrees-removed association that is St. Lawrence University, the former Universalist college (and seminary.) Much of what we know of him is legendary. Suffice it to say that he was in… Continue reading Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Not lectionary, but calendar?
Chutney makes clear what Chutney (I’d use a pronoun, but I don’t know what gender the writer is) is missing, and that doesn’t jerk my chain so much. If I were making a thematic calendar with readings — with an overlay “sanctorial” calendar of the “saints” and major anniversaries — I’d start with the procession… Continue reading Not lectionary, but calendar?
Lectionaries redux
MyIrony.com Chutney gives me my first chance to test out the TrackBack, which itself was activated at Chutney’s general request to godbloggers. I guess the appeal to a Unitarian Universalist lectionary jerks my chain in three distinct ways. 1. To quote a zillion TV law dramas, “it assumes facts not in evidence,” namely, a theological… Continue reading Lectionaries redux
Housekeeping: Trackback activated
I think I’ve got Trackback activated. If you’re reading this, give it a spin. (Thanks.)
What did Micah mean?
Now that the Bishop-elect Robinson matter has been resolved, is it too much to consider an almost unrecognized matter that concerns a gay man, the will of God, the Episcopal Church, and the current General Convention? Louie Crew, a well known gay advocate in the Episcopal Church, and a lay delegate from the diocese of… Continue reading What did Micah mean?