Monthly Archives: November 2008

Week 48: Full Gospel Mission for All Nations, 30 November 2008

There is an ebb and flow to small congregations that is almost magical. This morning, we watched the song leaders and musicians change out without missing a beat. The pianist got up in the middle of a song to become … Continue reading

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Week 47a (unless the snow is bad tomorrow, in which case, Week 48) Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service, 27 Nov 2008

It was not a surprise to walk into Manito Methodist Thursday morning and walk past a half dozen people of different nationalities and religions on the way into the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. It was a little bit of a surprise … Continue reading

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Week 47: Olive Branch Community, 23 November 2008

Week 47, in which Michael, unable to contain himself, gets in a pointless and fruitless discussion with a well-meaning but strident evangelical on the topic of biblical infallibility, which will no doubt result in his soul getting a really super … Continue reading

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Week 46: Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 16 November 2008

Back east, twenty years ago, the Congregationalists, the Unitarians, and the Base Chapel used to get together once a year for a singing service. Each congregation would vote for hymns they wanted to sing. I don’t remember what the Chapel … Continue reading

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Week 45b: “remembrance @ ht: the burial of the dead: sorrow & hope”, 15 November 2008

I’m trying to figure out why my original response to this memorial service was so negative. “remembrance @ht: the burial of the dead: sorrow & hope” is the title of the bulletin printed for the memorial service for the husband … Continue reading

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Week 45a: Celebration of Life at Valley Real Life, 15 November 2008

Michael works with the father of Zachary McPeck who passed away recently at the tender age of 22. The family wanted the service to be one of celebration of his life, and it very much was. They shared memories and … Continue reading

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Where the Lost Things Go

The most pernicious thing about being robbed is that you know that the thieves immediately toss the things that are of significance to you. For example, Michael’s notebook with a year’s worth of work notes, the pictures of the magic … Continue reading

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Week 45 (or 44a, depending how you’re counting): Bethel AME, 9 November 2008

Although I have the feeling that Bethel AME is always alive, attending on the first Sunday after the election of Barack Obama was electric and joyous and buoyant. There was great rejoicing throughout the congregation, and quite a bit of … Continue reading

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Week 44: Spokane Friends Meeting, 9 November 2008

There isn’t a lot to say about an the “Unprogrammed” or “Simple Worship” in a Friends meeting.  This is because the service may not have anything that was “said.”  The Spokane Friends have a short note that they hand out … Continue reading

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Why You Should Feel Like a Complete Schmuck if You Didn’t Vote

My friend L was LifeFlighted to Nashville on Saturday. My friend P, her roommate, wrote the following: * * * L is an election official. She loves the excitement of poll voting. When things became a manageable for me, I … Continue reading

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