In the late 1600’s in colonial Boston, the celebration of Christmas was against the law. Indeed, anyone evidencing the “spirit of Christmas” could be…
Put the Dickens Back in Christmas
Put the Dickens Back in Christmas
Author Archives: Roger Hovis
Thanksgiving Day 2020
How often have you heard the platitude that you should cultivate an attitude of gratitude? Many of us will nod our head in agreement when we hear …
Thanksgiving Day 2020
A Civil Body Politick, Rev. McClendon
The Pilgrims and Indians make a great tableau to consider for Thanksgiving, but the peace between the two groups didn’t last long. Massasoit and …
A Civil Body Politick
Will our denomination split?
With the pandemic postponing May 2020 General Conference, many Methodists are wondering, “Will our denomination split? Will the pandemic inhibit the …
Will our denomination split?
Swamped eagle by Mike Powell
Normally when I see a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) catch a fish, it is a grab-and-go affair. The eagle reaches out with extended talons, …
Swamped eagle
The Gospel of Progress – and the New Jerusalem by Fr Freeman
American fans of Monty Python will be familiar with the opening lines of William Blake’s poem, “Jerusalem” (and I apologize to my British readers for…
The Gospel of Progress – and the New Jerusalem
Kingfisher and fish
As I was exploring in Huntley Meadows Park last Friday, I heard the unmistakeable rattling call of a kingfisher. After a bit of searching, I located …
Kingfisher and fish
Museums, Churches, and My Back Yard
A great cry went up from Orthodox throats across the globe earlier this year when the Turkish government repurposed Hagia Sophia from museum to …
Museums, Churches, and My Back Yard
Lessons from a Yogi-Preacher: Strength, Flexibility, Balance and Stillness
I’ve been practicing yoga since 2007, when the demands of a growing church were stressful. We were in a building planning process at Trinity UMC, …
Lessons from a Yogi-Preacher: Strength, Flexibility, Balance and Stillness
Seeds from Different Worlds by Fr Freeman
God took seeds from different worlds and sowed them on this earth, and His garden grew, and everything came up that could come up, but all growing …
Seeds from Different Worlds
