Borders and liminal spaces

I have mentioned that we have a family member in a health crisis (in hospice). We spent some time with him this weekend, and it occurred to me that when you know death is coming, you enter a certain liminality whether you want to or not. A person who is still alive but is preparing for death exists in a space between. I just finished In the Margins by Shannon Kearns, and he notes a similar in-betweenness in both his own gender transition and Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances.

We have new articles that explore transgressed borders and complicated identities. Rachel Mann reflects on the queerness present in the very notion of a trinitarian God. Isaac Villegas shares about a ministry of sacred remembrance in a blood-soaked borderland. Stephanie Perdew offers guidance about how we relate to land that is “ours” but was stolen.

Our video of the week, featuring theologian Kelley Nikondeha, is an illuminating chat about Advent. That may seem early here in October, but one of Kelley’s points is that our seasonal focus on Advent should connect to justice efforts all year long!

Email me: Do you feel in between? How do you navigate liminal spaces?

The Christian God is a queer God

“Whatever else one might believe or say about it, the Trinity is iconic of orthodox Christian doctrine, and I affirm and trust in this doctrine. But it is also iconic of the queerness of God.”

A liturgy in the borderlands

“The Humane Borders website provides GPS coordinates for the spot where human remains were recovered; God only knows how many haven’t been noticed, those who remain undocumented even after their death.”

Kelley Nikondeha on Advent and durable justice

An illuminating chat about the first Advent, economic justice, and what it all means for us.

Living by the Word for October 16 (Ordinary 29C)

Luke says this story is about prayer. But the widow keeps asking for justice.

by Diane Roth
 

On Native land

“At their best, land acknowledgments are undertaken by faith communities as expressions of recognition, awareness, repentance, and calls to reparative action. Some faith communities see them as explicit commitments in the work of antiracism.”

Grandparenting with faith

“With confidence that every elder has something to offer the next generation, McEntyre and Showalter weave a sensitive and practical guidebook for all who want to engage meaningfully and respectfully with their adult children and their grandchildren.”

A word from a subscriber . . .

“At first I did not care for the new CC format. However, now that I have received and read two issues, I appreciate the design and layout which makes it a pleasurable read. Of course, the content is always amazing.”