In This Issue
I
n an Easter sermon, The Walk to Emmaus, the Rev. Michael D. Gladish talks about
the two disciples walking with the Lord on Easter Sunday – without recognizing Him
at first – and how He is making Himself known to us today. Just as the disciples were
trying to come to terms with what had just happened with the crucifixion, and were
comforted by the Lord Himself, so an amazing thing can happen to us in times of crisis,
as “Jesus Himself can draw near us and join in the conversation.” (Page 127)
When Louis Zamperini, whose amazing story is told in the book and movie,
Unbroken, was asked if he could tell which of his fellow prisoners-of-war in a Japanese
camp would survive, he said yes – those who had a good attitude. A good, heavenly
attitude will always serve us well in life says the Rev. Mark D. Pendleton in a sermon:
“Heaven is an attitude.” (Page 133)
This year’s Boynton Beach Retreat featured three excellent presentations: Rev.
Dr. Thane Glenn on Unity and Difference in the New Church; Dr. D. Gregory Rose on
Culture and Politics: Arab and American; and the Rev. Jeremy Simons on the Blueprint
for Success in the General Church. While each stood alone they shared a common
theme: overcoming differences in the pursuit of a more unified understanding. (Page
140)
In Part Two of What is New Church Education and Why Should We Care?, the Rt.
Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr. looks at the special role of parents as the “light of the world”
for the growth and development of their children. This starts with the commitment
made in baptism and continues through 10 special invitations from the Lord that
demonstrate the important and varied role he asks parents to play in the lives of their
children. (Page 153)
Cailin Elphick spent 10 weeks last year volunteering with the Rev. Samson Abuga’s
orphanage in Kenya and writes movingly about her “extraordinary ordinary moments.”
She tested herself by moving outside her comfort zone and found she was well-rewarded
– experiencing a whole new culture and feeling a whole new level of love. (Page 161;
photos on pages 200-201)
Chelsea Rose Odhner goes back to an account in the April 1937 New Church Life
in which the Rev. Charles E. Doering presented his seminal “Notes on the Government
of the Church,” for her own reflection on Women Priests: Freedom and Providence. She
concludes: “I believe a change in our ordination policy would be for the protection of
the freedom of our members, and such an action in our church would be one grounded
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