As each old year draws to a close, I like to choose a word or phrase that captures my intention for the new year. How do I intend to live? For many years I chose a single word -- Simplicity or Joy or Mindfulness -- something that sounds very unassailable on paper! But it didn't usually have much … [Read more...] about Intentions for a New Year
Ring a Bell Sunday, to Ring Out the Old Year
Today was the first Sunday after Christmas. I preached at a friend's church because he was traveling. At that?church, it's a tradition to ring bells to accompany the hymn-singing on the final Sunday of the year. He had warned me, so I brought along an old school bell that sits on the shelf in my … [Read more...] about Ring a Bell Sunday, to Ring Out the Old Year
Cleaning the Slate at the New Year
Yesterday I spent a few hours getting ready for the new year. There are some quick and easy ways I like to "clean the slate": 1) I quickly organized the clothes in my closet by grouping like items together (church clothes, writing clothes, workout clothes). It helped me see whether I need to buy … [Read more...] about Cleaning the Slate at the New Year
Singing Harmonia Sacra to Greet the New Year
I spent New Year's Night singing hymns in a church, unaccompanied, with 300 or so other people. ?The crowd was diverse in age, but entirely white in skin color. Everyone was dressed very nicely in what I called "church clothes" growing up. I've sung with Old Order Mennonites before, it's a memorable … [Read more...] about Singing Harmonia Sacra to Greet the New Year