Human stories, human connections

In last week’s email I noted how many of the Century’s articles tackle complex, difficult issues. I asked you which issues you found the most difficult to talk about; as often happens, I was moved by your answers—which ranged from sexuality to politics to death.

Hearing from you is one of my favorite parts of this job, and I’m always looking for more ways to help you connect to me, the magazine’s content, and hopefully to each other. To that end, I’m looking to revive our Facebook discussion group. If you use Facebook and you’d like to engage in conversation with like-minded folks about our content, please join the group and add your thoughts in the comment sections! It’s a private group, so only other Century community members will see your words.

This week we have so many pieces that are deeply personal. Two are from some new Voices columnists: Melissa Florer-Bixler reflects on the nature of skin and dust, and Yolanda Pierce processes some of her failures. Also below are a powerful exploration of our relationship to land and a gripping poem. 

Our video of the week is a good one! I talked with human rights lawyer Allyson McKinney Timm, who shared personal, philosophical, and legal insights about abortion in the US.
 

Email me: Which Century columnists or writers are you excited to read?

A church made of dust

“We each regenerate our skin every month or two, shedding the old layer into the air. Nineteen million skin cells, stacked like pancakes, die and then flake off before they settle down among the other rubbish. Who will clean up after us?”

Failing and falling

“When I do the math, when I am brutally honest, my failures easily outnumber my wins. . . . But this is where God’s grace enters the picture.”

Allyson McKinney Timm on abortion law and philosophy

A thought-provoking chat about the questions and arguments surrounding abortion.

Living by the Word for September 18 (Ordinary 25C)

Jeremiah has to learn to name the reality that is right in front of him.

by Audrey West
 

Can these stones live?

“We cannot talk about restoring our relationship to the land without talking about restoring the land to relationship with the people from whom it was taken.”

On grace in late August

“. . . It will be
years before he confesses
his sins at the counter,
to be absolved . . .”