“For ye have the poor always with you” — a quandry about homeless men

No judgment, none at all, or at least for the space of this post because it is a whole lot harder in the real world. By which I include the 7-11 across the street where there is usually a small crowd of panhandlers. Or I can go behind my building the other way to the… Continue reading “For ye have the poor always with you” — a quandry about homeless men

“Clean” clothing: starting with undies

I started writing this post before my earlier Justice Clothing post, thus the out-of-order title. But underwear is a good place to start the day. There is an interesting forum discussion that lays out the players in Sweatshop-free underwear thread (Vegan Represent) that’s worth going to. I’ve bough boxer-briefs from (and made for) Union House,… Continue reading “Clean” clothing: starting with undies

Justice Clothing Company for “clean” togs

I don’t accept advertising, but I do laud companies that help me live out my Christian faith. When I buy clothes, I want good assurance that the people who make and sell them receive a fair wage and decent work standard. I prefer clothes that, through their materials and manufacture, depend on less energy to… Continue reading Justice Clothing Company for “clean” togs

So you’re gay and ordained. What challenges you? Helps?

The title says it all. Since I’m gay, ordained and out, I thought I should bring up the subject. This is an open post for ordained gay men and lesbians. What are your challenges? What could help you in your ministry? What has been offered to help that doesn’t help? What advice would you give… Continue reading So you’re gay and ordained. What challenges you? Helps?

Making a church website sub-blog: 2. cleaning some features off

I really like the Simplr style, but it is too bloggy for use as a church website, so first I wanted to remove a few things that get in the way. The trial site is here. I removed the aggregation feed links since they’re duplicated in the footer and most people who use them at… Continue reading Making a church website sub-blog: 2. cleaning some features off

Chutney rants (correctly) about ministry

Chutney (Making Chutney) has a little rant about ministerial ordination and education where he throws a big wet blanket on the conventional mainline ministerial formation process. I read it in context of some of the tight-sphinctered replies at the infamous post at PeaceBang’s Beauty Tips for Ministers. For the record, he and I both have… Continue reading Chutney rants (correctly) about ministry

Making a church website sub-blog: 1. starting up

For years now I’ve been trying to come up with a reasonably-flexible middle option for churches (and temples, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, spiritual assemblies, or other worshipping congregations) that want a clean, attractive, usable website but don’t have a lot of patience or native tech ability. Or where the tech person doesn’t have a lot of… Continue reading Making a church website sub-blog: 1. starting up

Focus on lay ministries and leadership

The ad hoc  “what I expect in a minister” thread at PeaceBang’s Beauty Tips for Ministers blog seems to be winding down; it seems to have hit a few nerves but has still only scratched the surface of ministerial formation, ethics, expectations and the implied spectre of clericalism. I’m going to take the next few… Continue reading Focus on lay ministries and leadership