Into the Mystic Archives - United Church of Christ https://www.ucc.org/category/column/into-the-mystic-archive/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:38:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Into the Mystic Archives - United Church of Christ https://www.ucc.org/category/column/into-the-mystic-archive/ 32 32 The Long Goodbye https://www.ucc.org/the-long-goodbye/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:37:55 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=210557 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript In January of this year, I started to feel like I was on a long, slow march to goodbye. Almost every week, something would happen about which I would say “well, I’m doing…

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]]> Commencement https://www.ucc.org/commencement/ Fri, 19 May 2023 19:31:37 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=209671 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript This is a season in which students who have been studying for years, who have been preparing themselves for something coming, end their season of preparation and set out to make a life.…

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]]> The Keychain https://www.ucc.org/the-keychain/ Fri, 12 May 2023 16:57:44 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=209242 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I brought home a keychain. There is nothing noteworthy, unusual, or special about the keychain as for as keychains go. It is a bauble you pick up at a souvenir stand for a…

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]]> Chiaroscuro https://www.ucc.org/chiaroscuro/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:11:31 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=208818 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Rev. Jess Chancey, filling in for John as he is in the Middle East on his final overseas trip as our GMP. Chiaroscuro. It’s a word associated with art, with reference to…

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]]> Connection https://www.ucc.org/connection/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:18:38 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=208345 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Rev. Jess Chancey, filling in for John as he is in the Middle East on his final overseas trip as our GMP. I’ve been greatly enjoying John’s 100 Days of Gratitude. If…

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]]> Trans Beauty https://www.ucc.org/trans-beauty/ Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:05:30 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=208122 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Throughout my ministry I have lived with a commitment to uphold this rule: first, do no harm. People can be fragile. Trauma inflicted on a body or a spirit can alter the internal…

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]]> Holy Week https://www.ucc.org/holy-week-2023/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:42:17 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=207555 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Travel with me for a few moments, if you would. Imagine first a time when you were present with a crowd anticipating the arrival of an important, maybe historical figure. I remember being…

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]]> We Would Be Building https://www.ucc.org/we-would-be-building/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 18:05:06 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=206137 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript We would be building temples still undone. I consider this my second favorite hymn of all time. First for me is “Be Thou My Vision.” But this hymn, borrowing its tune from the…

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]]> Where Faith and Politics Collide https://www.ucc.org/where-faith-and-politics-collide/ Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=205567 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript When I was in Phoenix, I hosted a weekly radio show. It was small-time stuff, nothing of any real consequence. But I loved doing it, and my producer and I were quite proud…

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]]> Ash Wednesday https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-ash-wednesday/ Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:44:55 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=204962 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Remember, o mortal, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return. As a Catholic child growing up, the placing of ashes upon the forehead and the recitation of those words had…

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]]> Bad Knees https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-bad-knees/ Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:44:45 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=204558 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript You know what I miss? Running. I used to find an open hour with nothing to do, put on a light jacket and my running shorts and shoes, and just take off in…

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]]> Kindland https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-kindland/ Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:41:16 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=204020 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript It was a few years ago that I met Stuart Muzinski. The guy has a passion for kindness. He has made it his life’s mission to teach the world to be kind. After…

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]]> Snow https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-snow-2023/ Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:06:48 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=203367 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I know of few things that separate my adult life from my childhood life quite the way that snow does. As a child, snow was magical. It had the power of giving us…

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]]> The Lights of the City https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-the-lights-of-the-city/ Mon, 23 Jan 2023 14:44:26 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=202939 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript There is a piece of land that juts out into the waters of Lake Erie. The house I am now renting looks right out onto that spot of land. Its called Lakewood Park.…

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]]> The Long Goodbye https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-the-long-goodbye/ Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:52:43 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=201822 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript As I sat at home over the holiday break, I knew first of all that once it ended I would be returning for a final run to the finish line of my tenure…

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]]> Merry Christmas https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-merry-christmas/ Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:04:13 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=200970 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript This will be my final podcast of the year, so I will use it to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Of the many aspects of our Christmas…

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]]> Every Saint a Past, Every Sinner a Future https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-every-saint-a-past-every-sinner-a-future/ Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:01:28 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=200669 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript On a bit of a lark, I got to hear Dan Tyminski in concert last night. I was just browsing the interwebs when I saw it – Dan was coming to the Kent…

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]]> Thanksgiving https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-thanksgiving-2022/ Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:03:57 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=199698 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I want to offer something I frequently pause to do as Thanksgiving arrives: my top ten list of things I am thankful for. 10. Dear friends I can rely on to help me…

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]]> I Voted https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-i-voted/ Fri, 11 Nov 2022 19:23:58 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=199182 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Every time voting day comes around, I take great pride in filling out my ballot and casting my vote. And I always then love wearing my lapel pin that reads simply “I voted.”…

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]]> Ecosystem https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-ecosystem/ Mon, 07 Nov 2022 16:04:20 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=198768 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I spend a good deal of time with various leaders from many communities discussing the future life of the church. It is, as you can well imagine, I am sure, an important, timely…

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]]> My City Park https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-my-city-park/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:33:20 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=197296 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I live across the street from a city park. On the ballot in my county is an initiative to maintain a tax to support those parks and public spaces. When I got a…

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]]> Born to Laugh https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-born-to-laugh/ Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:27:53 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=196876 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript “Do not live in fear, little flock, it has pleased your Creator to give you the kindom.” So writes Luke in his gospel, placing the words in the mouth of Jesus. I read…

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]]> Good Fences Make Good Neighbors https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-good-fences-make-good-neighbors/ Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:49:08 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=196473 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Robert Frost might have had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek when he penned in his poem Mending Wall that good fences make good neighbors. As he writes, he would love to…

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]]> Karlsruhe https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-karlsruhe/ Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:18:23 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=196054 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript In a meeting yesterday, I was invited to share about something that had recently brought me joy. Although by this time I had been back from my trip to Karlsruhe, Germany, to attend…

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]]> A Religion the Master Had Profaned https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-a-religion-the-master-had-profaned/ Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:23:31 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=195071 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript In his book Deep River and the Negro Spiritual Sings of Life and Death, Howard Thurman draws this conclusion, reflecting on the faith of the enslaved and the power of the spiritual hymns…

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]]> Asking Questions https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-asking-questions/ Mon, 19 Sep 2022 12:22:01 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=194598 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Just a couple days ago, I sat for a few precious hours on the front porch with my mother. I was back in St. Louis, my hometown, and I had the evening free…

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]]> Macy https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-macy/ Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:46:37 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=193982 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Jess Chancey, filling in for John as he attends the World Council of Churches meeting in Germany. If you’ve met me, chances are you’ve probably met my little buddy, Macy. She’s retired…

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]]> Home https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-home/ Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:41:41 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=193344 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Rev. Jess Chancey, filling in for John as he is away. I can’t believe it… I actually bought a home! I’ve been renting all my adult life, and just made this huge…

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]]> Kissing the Earth https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-kissing-the-earth/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:03:04 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=193007 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” So wrote Thich Nhat Hahn. Pause for a moment and think about how precious the Earth is. In all the discovered and…

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]]> The Privilege of Not Seeing https://www.ucc.org/the-privilege-of-not-seeing/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:58:09 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=192365 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript “I hurt easy, I just don’t show it. You can hurt someone and not even know it.” So sings Bob Dylan in his song “Things Have Changed.” For people of color in the…

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]]> Morning Reverie https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-morning-reverie/ Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:39:00 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=191557 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript It is early. It’s 6 a.m., but I’ve been awake for more than two hours. It’s my last day on Star Island, a place that came with a reputation it couldn’t live up…

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]]> Recrudescence https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-recrudescence/ Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:57:29 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=191104 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I have a new favorite word: recrudescence. In the middle of a book I’m reading, right there in the middle of the sentence, in the middle of a paragraph, was that word. When…

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]]> Eyes to See https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-eyes-to-see/ Fri, 29 Jul 2022 15:45:17 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=190839 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript When teaching what I have learned about White Privilege to largely white audiences, I repeat often the same question: “What do you see.” It is a direct reference to something Jesus would say,…

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]]> Just Peace https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-just-peace/ Tue, 26 Jul 2022 10:45:37 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=190438 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Wars can never do the work of redemption, even when their causes meet generally agreed-upon criteria for justice. So writes Elizabeth D. Samet in her new book Looking for the Good War: American…

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]]> Come Round Right https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-come-round-right/ Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:13:35 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=189258 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript To turn, turn will be our delight‘Till by turning, turning we come round right. That line closes the refrain for one of my favorite hymns – the beautiful Shaker hymn Simple Gifts. I…

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]]> Longing & Hope https://www.ucc.org/longing-hope/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:49:02 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=187872 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Rev. Jess Chancey, back again to fill in for John while he is on vacation. This week has been one of those difficult ones in the life of a hospital chaplain, lots…

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]]> Compassion https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-compassion/ Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:54:14 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=187365 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I’m Rev. Jess Chancey, back again to fill in for John. And this is such a tough time to be asked to take the helm again. All these news stories that are really…

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]]> Trumpery https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-trumpery/ Mon, 06 Jun 2022 15:46:41 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=186569 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Trumpery – by definition an attractive article of little value or use; something that is showy but worthless. Isaiah asks “why do you spend your life on that which is not bread, and…

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]]> Modern Sporting Rifle https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-modern-sporting-rifle/ Tue, 31 May 2022 14:03:55 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=186084 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript 20,000,000. Hold that thought for a second. First, let’s talk about the modern sporting rifle. When you hear the words ‘modern sporting rifle,’ what image does that conjure up for you? Now, I’m…

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]]> The Baptism of our Tears https://www.ucc.org/the-baptism-of-our-tears/ Fri, 20 May 2022 15:10:03 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=185287 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript “After our baptism, an even greater baptism – if I may make so bold as to put it that way – is the baptism provided by our tears.” So wrote the 7th century…

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]]> Your Own Heart’s Integrity https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-your-own-hearts-integrity/ Fri, 13 May 2022 16:28:55 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=184998 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript In the Sayings of the Elders, a collection of writings from the early mystics who populated remote monasteries, we find these words: “…whatever path you find your soul longs after in the quest…

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]]> Slant Truth https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-slant-truth/ Fri, 29 Apr 2022 20:22:06 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=184318 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript The truth shall set you free. I am the way, the truth, and the life. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Everyone of these…

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]]> Dualism https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-dualism/ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 19:14:34 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=183760 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I grew up with heavy doses of Thomistic influence, which is to say a world framed in the dualistic tension between the material world and the spiritual world. In that world, we attach…

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]]> He is risen https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-he-is-risen/ Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:54:36 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=183467 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript He is risen indeed. Words much like these were used by the very earliest communities of disciples when they gathered for their Easter celebrations. It was a simple, profound, and fundamental credal statement.…

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]]> When Faith and Politics Collide https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-when-faith-and-politics-collide/ Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:29:30 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=182992 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript My celebration of Palm Sunday this year included virtual worship with First United Church of Oak Park Illinois. Rev. John Edgerton was the preacher, and Rev. Lydia Mulkey offered one of the most…

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]]> God Is Love https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-god-is-love/ Mon, 04 Apr 2022 14:28:36 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=182467 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript There is a fundamental theological claim made in Scripture that I treat as utterly and entirely normative and formative. The claim is that God is love. By calling it normative I intend to…

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]]> Fr. T https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-fr-t/ Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:10:40 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=182094 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript As I write this, I am awaiting word that Msgr. James Tellthorst has died. He is in hospice care, where his long years of suffering will soon come to an end. It will…

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]]> How Majestic https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-how-majestic/ Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:50:12 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=181415 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript As I arose early this morning, I stepped out my front door and watched the full moon set behind a barren tree whose branches, silhouetted by the backlit sky, framed the stark, white…

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]]> Sacred Space https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-sacred-space-amistad/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:40:32 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=180746 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Yesterday, I attended the final worship service in Amistad Chapel. When the prelude began playing to on that beautiful organ, the tears started flowing. In just another day or two, a crew will…

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]]> This Year’s Lent https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-this-years-lent/ Fri, 04 Mar 2022 16:25:38 +0000 https://www.ucc.org/?p=180338 Listen to the podcast Read the transcript I want to admit as I begin this week’s podcast that I am borrowing an idea that I have now heard several other faith-leaders write about. It is such a good idea, that…

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