I once had a friend from Brazil who became my unexpected house guest. We first met as student missionary teachers in Puerto Rico when I was 19 years old. Once the school year ended, she moved with me to my house in California where we also planned to work as camp counselors together. Because she […]
The Red Couch: Once We Were Strangers Introduction
by on November 6, 2019 Leave a Comment
Those of us who want to serve others like programs and events. They have defined timelines and expected outcomes. We get to show up and give money or time to a cause. And then we get to walk away. Reading Shawn Smucker’s memoir Once We Were Strangers, I was reminded of the time my “program” of […]
The Red Couch: No Other Gods Discussion
by on October 2, 2019 Leave a Comment
I knew the Rosary and the Ten Commandments before I knew the Pledge of Allegiance. I knew the Stations of the Cross before I ever heard we had a constitution of the United States. When we were little the priest caught my brothers drinking the holy water and daring their buddies to do the same. […]
Why I Read Controversial Books With My Kid
by on September 30, 2019 Leave a Comment
My seven-year-old daughter and I just finished reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. It took us all summer with stops and starts because of camping trips and visits with family. I was amazed at how engaged Bea was in the story since this was the first “capital L” piece of literature we tried. About halfway […]
The Red Couch: The Next Worship Discussion
by on July 30, 2019 Leave a Comment
In the early stages of dating, I invited my now husband to come along with me and another of our friends to a Taize service held monthly at a local Franciscan Friary. The service, shaped by meditative silence, prayer, and chants was one I attended regularly. It was a change of pace from the more […]
