It takes a theologian of depth to write a simple book about complex concerns. Well, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has done it. Speaking to those inside and outside the church - and the growing number of people who don't know where to locate themselves anymore - Williams entices us all to go deeper by reviewing the basics. Yes, he was the leader of the worldwide Anglican Church and yes, he is an erudite Fellow of the British Academy. But in this book, he's just flying under the banner of Christian, and he's putting the hay down where the horses can get at it. 

                                                  - Lillian Daniel, "Pastor Lillian's Quirky Churchy Book List" 

Duke Divinity School professor Amy Laura Hall writes opinionated essays on public school dress codes, police surveillance cameras in the streets, bullies in the workplace and gay pride in Durham, North Carolina. Referencing dead saints as often as live movie stars, she draws on her West Texas childhood as much as her ivy league academic experience. These smart, short pieces are so entertaining, you'll forget she's a Christian Ethicist trying to get you to lead a more thoughtful life. 

                                                                            - Lillian Daniel, Pastor Lillian's Quirky Churchy Book List

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February 15, 2017 
Written by Lillian Daniel"Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers." - Genesis 2:10

I'm fascinated by the river I live next to. Maybe Dubuque's natives are used to it, but the Mississippi River is brand new to me, and each season reveals a new side to its personality.

The winter river has surprised me with its beauty. Without green leaves to distract the eye, the water's grays are darker and its shadows are stronger, especially when set against a sprinkle of snow over ice. In winter, the water gets to take center stage. 

I took a photo from outside the River Museum, but added a quote from inside the building, where the walls are decorated with the words of writers through the ages, all trying to describe the indescribable - the river. Heraclitus hit it right for me, about the river and other things: "You can not step into the same river twice." Words, paintings,  poetry and certainly the snapshot taken from my phone or this devotional can never describe a river, so why bother?

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I love to learn and I know I'm not the only one. But my ambitions don't always meet the reality.

Is there anyone else out there with a pile of unread books that you were certain you wanted to read right away when you got them? But now they languish, neglected or perhaps partially read or perhaps cast aside because they didn't deliver. 

And when it comes to religious books, a lot of people come to their pastor after the fact, and ask me about books I would never have recommended they buy in the first place. What can I say? There's a lot of junk out there in the so called "Inspirational" section of the bookstore. (And I only wrote some of it.) 

So in the last year I have been building up a little list (ok, it's actually a long list but I've decided to give it to you in small doses) of interesting timely books on faith and life. Most of them are current, but a few are classics. And the best thing about them is that they are all here at church, in the Education Office, for you to borrow. If you get to the Education Office and find the book missing, just remember it for another time and browse the collection that we have. If enough of you get excited about a particular book, let's get a group together to discuss it. Books are fun to read but they are even more fun to talk about. 

Each week in our church email, I'll feature a picture of one or two of the books. So this week's selections are two books about marriage, both written by authors with UCC connections. Bestselling author Glennon Doyle Melton is a member of 1st Congregational Church in Naples, FL and Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey is an Associate Pastor at 1st Congregational Church in Western Springs, IL in the suburbs of Chicago. These two very different books reflect the diversity and the talent of the UCC. ​

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor…" - Luke 14:8

At a recent Interfaith Worker Justice board meeting, Naeem Baig, President of the Islamic Circle of North America, shared a story about a scene he witnessed on an airplane. A mother was traveling with three small children but for some reason, none of them were seated together. So the mother asked other passengers if they would move so she could stay close to her little ones. 

Everyone agreed to move, except for one woman who seemed able to move, but was just unwilling. By way of explanation she added her reason: "You see, I'm comfortable in my seat." 

Read more....
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​Happiness is a feeling, brought on by inner and outer circumstances
​Joy can take place on either side of the hospital waiting room door. 
Read more on the Huffington Post...

Whenever there is extreme weather, some religious leader gets airtime for blaming someone. Whether it’s a tsunami, an earthquake, a heat wave or a drought, someone will say it’s God’s way of getting our attention and therefore it has to be someone’s fault.
​Read more on the Huffington Post....

Maybe it’s the earnest Mary played by a girl who is twice the height of Joseph her erstwhile husband. Maybe it’s the wandering toddler shepherd who keeps walking off the stage in search of his mother in the pews. Maybe it's the minister in the horse head, because yes, that is me, and I gave the benediction with it on.
Read more on the Huffington Post