May 10, 2009
Text: Matthew 12:46-50; Ruth 1:1-21
One of the challenges I recall from seminary days was the invitation to sum up in a sentence what you think scripture is all about. Think about that for a moment. Is the entirety of scripture about eternal life? Is it about proper religion? Is it about justice? Is [...]

April 24, 2008
Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22
I’ve been reading a pair of completely unrelated texts that came across my desk in recent days. One is a now-classic book by Quaker activist and writer Ched Myers entitled Who Will Roll Away the Stone? It’s one of those books I’ve seen and heard referred to for a number [...]

Delivered November 5, 2006, the Sunday prior to election day.
Text: Matthew 7:1-5
It is, in case you somehow missed it, the Sunday before election day. So, as we used to say in Chicago, remember to vote early and vote often!
I’m just kidding! Of course, in a political season, one has to be very careful about jokes, [...]

Delivered October 22, 2006, a few weeks prior to the vote on Virginia’s constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
Text: Matthew 7:7-12
The gospel of Jesus Christ – the good news – begins in Matthew’s account with these words, “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” From that beginning, then, to this day on which [...]

The following is an example of a church policy made by Clarendon Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA. in September 2005.
Service of Blessing
Policy on Celebrations of the Covenant Union of Two People
Adopted by Session, September 2005
I. Statement from the Pastor on Services of Celebration of Marriage or Holy
Union
When we gather at Clarendon Presbyterian Church to celebrate [...]

The following is a letter written by Rev. Pam Shepherd, pastor at Ashland UCC Church in Ashland Oregon, to her congregation explaining the decision not to sign marriage licenses.
Dear Friends,
On January 10th at 10:30 am our church will be opening our doors to invite gay and lesbian couples from our community to get married. [...]