Refreshment in the storm

I write to you from the bright autumn hills of Pittsburgh, PA. My family is having a gathering this weekend, so I thought I’d come early for a week of remote work to enjoy a change of scenery—and visits with beloved friends and family. The first couple days were delightful, but my sister woke up today with a bad case of the flu. 

Sometimes we find rest, but sometimes difficulties hound us. Sometimes we find beauty in the midst of the struggle, and sometimes we don’t. We have plenty of new content for you about both hardship and consolation. There is a review of Jay Augustine’s new book, a call for reconciliation written in the tradition of the Black pulpit. A new episode of the Madang podcast features theologian Kelly Brown Douglas’s thoughts on her new book Resurrection Hope. William F. Schulz offers recommended reading from new books about the complicated history of religion in the US.

The video of the week is a real treat, including a poetry reading: Kathleen Wakefield tells me about her haunting poem “Passagio” that was featured in our October issue.

Email me: Are you finding refreshment in the midst of your struggles?

Take & Read: New titles in American religious history

Seven new books on American religious history. From our 2022 Fall Books issue.

Canon theologian Kelly Brown Douglas

An episode of the Madang podcast that covers anti-Blackness, just communities, Black Lives Matter, and Douglas’s new book Resurrection Hope.

Kathleen Wakefield reads and discusses “Passagio”

Jon chats with poet Kathleen Wakefield about her recent piece in the Christian Century.

Living by the Word for November 6 (Ordinary 32C)

My church is located in the first municipality in the country with a public reparations fund.

by Kat Banakis
 

Can we be reconciled to God without being reconciled to one another?

“Jay Augustine’s message to the American church is that we have been fooled into thinking the United States is a melting pot when we are actually gumbo.”

review by Johnathan C. Richardson

Understanding our dependencies

“We have no idea what it cost God to make all things. But we can see what it cost God to be with us in Christ.”

A word from a subscriber . . .

“I’ve been going over the most recent issues and continuing to find new things to admire in your redesign. It looks serious—like when you finally get rid of your IKEA furniture and move into a real house!”