Lately, it seems everything from masks to hugs has become a political statement. With the fourth of July upon us, patriotism and remembering those who fought for our freedom have become the new tug of war. What strikes me about…

My aunt tried to cross the border last week. She’s a Canadian living in Germany with a daughter living in Michigan. She flew to Canada, quarantined at my parent’s house for two weeks, and then drove to the border, believing…

“Child,” said the Lion, “I am telling you your story, not hers. No-one is told any story but their own.” -Aslan, in C.S. Lewis’s The Horse and His Boy I’m in the middle of packing up our life in Philadelphia.…

Comedian Jon Stewart, original host of the Comedy Central program The Daily Show, may or may not have very many religious sensibilities.  Stewart is capable of some amazing comedy in the skewering of the day’s news—one thinks of the delicious…

Americans love a tragedy and redemption story. To use religious language, many of us might call this narratives of transgression and sanctification. But what is the proper amount of both and should it be thoughtfully calibrated to connect with a…

Hay Creek RanchNemo, South Dakota For all my apprehension and anxiety about this trip, my week in South Dakota has been an experience beyond words. We have one day of riding left, and I have just a few notes and…

My dear Wormwood, Let me start with another reminder that you must take great care that this letter not fall into the wrong hands. As you know, some years ago a number of my letters fell into the hands of…

(This post originally appeared at http://www.iamareconciler.org/dear-church-refuse-to-be-in-denial/ -- thanks to Melissa for her permissino to repost this important piece here at the Twelve.)Dear Church, I write to you to admit that I am a recovering racist, working to overcome the lies…

On Sunday night, June 7, the little St. James Anglican Church in rural Parham, Ontario, burned to the ground. Well, the entrance still stood, with its bright blue door. The cause of the fire was arson, but the reason it…