The first year students at Gettysburg College are all reading Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson. Stevenson is a lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that works to defend those most in need of an advocate, especially those wrongfully convicted–including those on death row. It is a powerful…… Continue reading Reflections on “Just Mercy”
Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the High Holiday season, began Sunday night. Like last year, I attended the Monday morning services at Gettysburg College, and once again, I was deeply moved by the beautiful liturgy. We use the Mishkan Hanefesh, the machzor from the Reform Jewish Community.…… Continue reading Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year
Emmett Till, in 2018
There’s a new podcast that I have started listening to called “This Day in History Class.” It’s from one of the hosts of “Stuff You Missed in History Class,” one of my favorite podcasts, and it has become kind of a stand-in for “The Writer’s Almanac”–that podcast was hosted by Garrison Keillor, and it was…… Continue reading Emmett Till, in 2018
The Catholic Church, The President & Abuses of Power
If you don’t live in Pennsylvania, you might have missed the story, but those of us who live here couldn’t escape it. And, if you are a regular news reader/watcher, surely you saw something about it: it has received national news coverage. Of course, I am talking about the huge scandal in the Catholic Church…… Continue reading The Catholic Church, The President & Abuses of Power
Being Loved & Being a Sheep
So, John and I went up to Burlington, Vermont for a week of vacation (a gorgeous city!), and while we were there, we finally got a chance to see the documentary on Mr. Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? I had been looking forward to the movie, because I remember Mr. Rogers very fondly from…… Continue reading Being Loved & Being a Sheep
Zoos and Hope for the Future
So, like lots of people, I have mixed feelings about zoos–I’ve written about this before. On the one hand, I loved the zoo when I was little and I think they provide lots of people–grown-ups and children alike, especially those in cities–a way to connect with wildlife they only would ever be able to see…… Continue reading Zoos and Hope for the Future
Vocation for All Ages
It has been awhile since I’ve posted–this summer has bee especially crazy with lots of travel: most of it for work, but a couple trips to see family as well. Right now, I am in Colorado with my mom, getting ready to celebrate her 80th birthday; and last month I was in Phoenix to visit…… Continue reading Vocation for All Ages
