Intimate, creative, expressive, contemplative, yes, we in Canaan have always leaned toward the unusual, and your ministry with us was an energizing experience! We can be more flexible and responsive, being small, to the ever-changing world outside. We're still at it!
Loved your reflection on small town ministry -- as someone who grew up in a small town/little church and now lives across the bay state from you in Boston :) Looking forward to your meditations on St. Therese. Story of a Soul is on my shelf and on my list to spend time with this year.
Thanks Nathan, glad to hear it - and hello from across I-90! PS I recently subscribed to your newsletter and really love your reading list / reflections.
Mark, Brother Joseph Schmidt, fsc wrote about 5 books on Therese of Lisieux. The latest before his recent death is "Life's Lessons from Therese of Lisieux." He co-authored this with Marisa Guerin.
It is both profound and practical. My book circle just finished this and was able to invite Marisa, by way of zoom to introduce it and to answer questions about it at the end. Therese was ordinary, but far from sentimental. Published by the Word Among Us Press 2022. Thanks as always for your sharings. your brother, john mcmahon
John, wonderful! I'll have to check this book out, and Brother Joseph Schmidt's work. And I appreciate you naming the difference of ordinary and sentimental. Thanks for the recommendation.
Here in Maine, small churches is most of what we have in the UCC. Getting back to being faithful in little things is key to church renewal after the Great De-Churching after COVID.
Intimate, creative, expressive, contemplative, yes, we in Canaan have always leaned toward the unusual, and your ministry with us was an energizing experience! We can be more flexible and responsive, being small, to the ever-changing world outside. We're still at it!
Beautifully said, Susan!
Loved your reflection on small town ministry -- as someone who grew up in a small town/little church and now lives across the bay state from you in Boston :) Looking forward to your meditations on St. Therese. Story of a Soul is on my shelf and on my list to spend time with this year.
Thanks Nathan, glad to hear it - and hello from across I-90! PS I recently subscribed to your newsletter and really love your reading list / reflections.
I felt God’s presence at the AA meeting in the basement much stronger than in the sanctuary upstairs
Yes! So true
Mark, Brother Joseph Schmidt, fsc wrote about 5 books on Therese of Lisieux. The latest before his recent death is "Life's Lessons from Therese of Lisieux." He co-authored this with Marisa Guerin.
It is both profound and practical. My book circle just finished this and was able to invite Marisa, by way of zoom to introduce it and to answer questions about it at the end. Therese was ordinary, but far from sentimental. Published by the Word Among Us Press 2022. Thanks as always for your sharings. your brother, john mcmahon
John, wonderful! I'll have to check this book out, and Brother Joseph Schmidt's work. And I appreciate you naming the difference of ordinary and sentimental. Thanks for the recommendation.
Here in Maine, small churches is most of what we have in the UCC. Getting back to being faithful in little things is key to church renewal after the Great De-Churching after COVID.
Indeed! Wishing you well in your ministry in Maine!