I read a fascinating article this morning, written by a Rabbi, who started by saying, "I love the Christmas season." This sentence caught my attention.
His reason? He senses that people are generally in a better mood, a bit kinder, more outgoing, and more likely to smile at Christmas time! He believes that the majority of the Christian population in America catches what many have called, the spirit of Christmas.
He knows that, just like in his community on different holi-days, some Christians only attend worship at Christmas. But, rather than begrudge that fact, he believes it shows a yearning to connect.
I like these observations.
I hope that each of us will be drawn to worship during these twelve days of Christmas. I hope we experience the joy of community in song, thanksgiving, prayer and praise.
Enjoy the wonder of the season and may the spirit of Christmas be alive throughout 2011.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Rookie-time
Soon it will be time for the September "call-ups" in Major League Baseball. This is a time when rookies get to see if they have the skills for the "big-leagues".
In welcoming you to the St. Matthew pastoral blog ... that's what I wonder ... will I have the skills to play in the blog-leagues! We'll see?!
What I hope this blog becomes is a forum to examine our everyday lives through a theological and spiritual lens. That means that our everyday encounters, and, the questions arising from these encounters will be the "grist" for this blog.
I won't be able to get to the blog every day ... but, I hope to blog a thought or two, and/or respond once or twice a week.
Now, an initial thought ... one that came to me as I reflected on seeing a school bus Monday morning. What about prayer in schools?
First of all, I think we'll always have prayer in school ... especially when there is a math test :)
More seriously, perhaps this issue is mis-named. Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask what we think of "prescribed" prayer in schools? Do we really want a prescribed prayer in school? If so, who should write it? Should the principal? Or, the teacher? Or, a local clergy-person? If a clergy-person, of what faith tradition?
What if the principal, teacher, or clergy-person's faith is different from my child's? Should my child need to pray their prayer? For instance, what if the writer is a fine Roman Catholic, and, devoutly prays the rosary. Should a Lutheran child need to pray the rosary? What if the writer is a devoted Hindu? Should every child need to pray a Hindu prayer? I have kiddingly said that if I could write the prayer then I'd be happy!
We live in a land of religious freedom. We are a melting pot. Our diversity is part of what makes the USA great! In my opinion, having a prescribed prayer in school does not contribute to the notion of democracy.
So what should we do? I think it would be fine to have a time for the student to pause and pray, meditate, or simply be quiet. Perhaps, this "time-out" would set the tone for a calmer school day. But, what do I know ...
Your thoughts ...
In welcoming you to the St. Matthew pastoral blog ... that's what I wonder ... will I have the skills to play in the blog-leagues! We'll see?!
What I hope this blog becomes is a forum to examine our everyday lives through a theological and spiritual lens. That means that our everyday encounters, and, the questions arising from these encounters will be the "grist" for this blog.
I won't be able to get to the blog every day ... but, I hope to blog a thought or two, and/or respond once or twice a week.
Now, an initial thought ... one that came to me as I reflected on seeing a school bus Monday morning. What about prayer in schools?
First of all, I think we'll always have prayer in school ... especially when there is a math test :)
More seriously, perhaps this issue is mis-named. Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask what we think of "prescribed" prayer in schools? Do we really want a prescribed prayer in school? If so, who should write it? Should the principal? Or, the teacher? Or, a local clergy-person? If a clergy-person, of what faith tradition?
What if the principal, teacher, or clergy-person's faith is different from my child's? Should my child need to pray their prayer? For instance, what if the writer is a fine Roman Catholic, and, devoutly prays the rosary. Should a Lutheran child need to pray the rosary? What if the writer is a devoted Hindu? Should every child need to pray a Hindu prayer? I have kiddingly said that if I could write the prayer then I'd be happy!
We live in a land of religious freedom. We are a melting pot. Our diversity is part of what makes the USA great! In my opinion, having a prescribed prayer in school does not contribute to the notion of democracy.
So what should we do? I think it would be fine to have a time for the student to pause and pray, meditate, or simply be quiet. Perhaps, this "time-out" would set the tone for a calmer school day. But, what do I know ...
Your thoughts ...
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