Have Faith: Open and affirming
The Federated Church in Edgartown has some news to share. Last week I received a press release from the congregation, letting us know that they voted unanimously to become an Open and Affirming church,...
Have Faith: Spirit of summer
Summer is a good time for faith nerds like me. Oak Bluffs especially offers some great guest preachers, and summertime events that inspire everyone who manages to get to them. Union Chapel, that lovely...
Have Faith: Say a little prayer
I started a book of essays a long time ago titled “Praying for Go-Go Boots.” The essays sum up my prayer life as a series of desperate attempts to gain things — everything from...
Have Faith: My happiness is intertwined with yours
Editor’s note: My colleague Allison Roberts wrote this wonderful piece on meditation and mindfulness, and we’re happy to share it with you. C.B.
I met my husband shortly after he’d moved out of the Rochester...
Have Faith: Friends and family
The Ribeiro family — dad Robert, mom Nilma, daughter Ana, and son Matthew — have been active members of the Vineyard Assembly of God Church, with dad Robert being an integral member of the...
Have Faith: My friend Kelly
I met Kelly Homan Rodoski (just Homan back then) almost 30 years ago when I took a job at the Catholic Sun back in Syracuse. I started off as a regional writer and she...
Reflections on the Holy Land in a time of war
With the observance of Ramadan underway, Passover just ahead, and Good Friday being observed this week as we head into Easter weekend, I was thinking about the Holy Land. And I was reflecting on...
Have Faith: Saintly Suppers
The Lenten season is a good time to take a deeper dive into spirituality. It’s not all about giving up chocolate or your after-dinner glass of wine. You can also just up your game...
Have Faith: A real community
We have such good news at the MV Times. We’ve spent the last few days talking to members of our Island’s Brazilian community — definitely our Island brothers and sisters — and we just...
Have Faith: Learning for Lent
Lent is here for those who recognize it, and I’ve pledged to do a better job of … everything … for this liturgical season. I think it all boils down to mindfulness. If I...
Have Faith: Lent comes early
Christmas is the fun Christian liturgical season, with its Advent calendars (sometimes filled with little pieces of candy) and decorated trees. Lent, on the other hand, is a more solemn time when we recognize...
Have Faith: New year, new ideas
A new year means we can take some time to reset our priorities and goals, large or small. I learned long ago to stick with small changes, because I’m much more likely to follow...
Have Faith: Hope in these times
Something hopeful happened via Pope Francis on Monday. He issued an official document saying that priests can bless same-sex marriages. Who would ever have thought that was possible? He basically says that people who...
Have Faith: The Wishing Tree
Polly Simpkins is one of those people who lifts your spirits just by having a conversation with you. And that’s extraordinary. I happened to notice her family has their annual Wishing Tree up in...
Have Faith: Grieving takes all forms
Grief is funny sometimes. Years after my mother died, I broke down in tears at the grocery store when I got to the salad dressing aisle and saw the Wishbone Italian dressing on the...
Have Faith: A spiritualist’s journey
I don’t often get an opportunity to talk to people who have a different perspective when it comes to their faith journey, so when Pam Hoopes emailed me a couple of weeks ago, I...
Have Faith: A new minister for the Island
The Island welcomes the newest minister for the United Methodist Church community, the Rev. Joanne Hus. I was able to chat with her on Tuesday about how it feels to be here, and how...
Have Faith: Teaching the children (and adults)
The calendar at the Religious School at the Hebrew Center is booked solid with traditional celebrations for the next few weeks. The congregation celebrates Rosh Hashanah on Saturday, Sept. 16, followed by Yom Kippur...
Have Faith: Reflection on the past
One of the visits I like to make when I go back to see friends in Syracuse is to my old church, All Saints, in the Syracuse University neighborhood. They welcome me back with...
Have Faith: Love with justice
If you’re looking for an uplifting and motivational read (and author), I’m recommending the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III’s “Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times.” I first heard Moss...