For some, “Communion Eucharist” might seem a bit repetitive. But “communion” and “Eucharist” are not the same thing: communion refers to the joining together or union of two or more things or people to create something new [Latin, cum (“with”)+mūnus (“gift”)].[1] Eucharist, however, refers to the Greek word for “gratitude” or “giving thanks” [Greek εὐχαριστία, … Continue reading “BlogPost: World Communion Eucharistic”
Category: Kingdom of Heaven
BlogPost: Eucharist As Catalyst for Social Justice
The heart of my studies has been pushing me deeper into a realization of the power of the Eucharist (the ritual with bread and wine) and eucharistic practices (figuratively and literally gathering diverse people around tables of fellowship and equality). In reading about Reformed, Roman Catholic, and other perspectives about the Eucharist, I am finding … Continue reading “BlogPost: Eucharist As Catalyst for Social Justice”
BlogPost: Faith Fight – Fountain Hills, Arizona
“Faith Fight”—that’s what the local news is calling it. Eight churches in Fountain Hills, Arizona, led by the Rev. Bill Good, pastor of Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), have posted banners announcing a sermon series called “‘Progressive’ Christianity: Fact or Fiction.” Their basic intent is to attack progressive Christianity as not being Christian. Sadly, the … Continue reading “BlogPost: Faith Fight – Fountain Hills, Arizona”
BlogPost: Lenten Journal – Day 2
Today’s daily lectionary reading includes Deuteronomy 7.12-16. At first blush it is a frightening expression of God’s vengeance. The term in v. 16, unfortunately translated in the NRSV as “ordinances” and in other versions “laws,” is actually a legal term for “judgments.” The people are called to pay attention or heed God’s judgments, presumably against … Continue reading “BlogPost: Lenten Journal – Day 2”
Prayer: An Act of Leaning In
At UKIRK Presbyterian Campus Ministry on the Tempe campus of ASU we have begun talking about practices of Christian faith. Last night we talked about different kinds of praying: from the Lord’s Prayer to silence and meditation to even running as prayer. We talked about the five different kinds of prayer often touted by Sunday … Continue reading “Prayer: An Act of Leaning In”