I’m off to Rohatsu Sesshin. Will be back Sunday afternoon. ‘Till then try to stay out of trouble… Read more
I’m off to Rohatsu Sesshin. Will be back Sunday afternoon. ‘Till then try to stay out of trouble… Read more
John Brown was hung on this day in 1859. And with that hanging the country’s day of reckoning for its original sin began to count down… Read more
TO LIGHT ONE CANDLE 1 December 2013 James Ishmael Ford First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island Text Blessed is the match consumed in kindling the flame. Blessed is the flame that burns in the heart’s secret places. Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor’s sake. Blessed is the match consumed in kindling the flame. Hannah Senesh Three days ago it was a once in seventy thousand year event, the first night of Hanukkah and our... Read more
Here’s a word for moms. You have a kid in the house who wants to play football? You need to give it some serious thought. Yes, football is pervasive. As American as apple pie, they say. Just a bit ago, as I flipped on the radio to NPR I found myself listening to a story on various grudge matches in college football. Mildly disgusted I turned the radio off then turned the television on to my favorite politically... Read more
Within the confusing mists of that earliest period of church formation, where the bulk of surviving documents are associated with the faction supporting Paul’s claims to leadership, trying to figure out what was “historical” is extremely difficult. Probably discerning exactly how the community that followed Jesus became the Church is past possible. Still, there are tantalizing hints on this and that question. Among these questions where we can find hints are whether there were women in leadership at that time.... Read more
Ah, Barlaam & Josaphat! On this day in the Western Church’s calendar and for those of the Eastern Church who follow the revised Julian calendar, this is the feast of Sts Barlaam and Josaphat. (Those stubborn Easterns who continue to use the Julian calendar observe the feast on 26th of August.) This is my favorite Christian holiday. Period. Full stop. Sadly, this feast isn’t observed much in the West, anymore. And I suspect it isn’t celebrated by many in the... Read more
TO BE THANKFUL IN THE FACE OF IT ALL A Homily delivered at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Rhode Island 24 November 2013 James Ishmael Ford Ever since some women figured out how to grow vegetables and grains rather than collect them in the wild, and all that came with this ability, human beings have been celebrating the time of harvest somewhere around this time in the year. And, we are no different. However we Americans have tied that... Read more
Fifty years ago today I was fifteen. When I heard the news at school my first reaction was a smart ass comment to another nerd type wondering what kind of president Johnson would make. The comment was made mainly, I think these fifty years on, to show I knew the name of the vice president. It took the race of tears that rushed through the school to sober me and point me toward the power of the moment. Fifty Years... Read more
On this day in 1789 the state of New Jersey became the first to ratify the Bill of Rights. With a few quibbles about interpretation here and there, I’d say a very, very good thing… Thought you would like to know… Read more
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