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A new American Story comfortably shared by all has been the subject of a half dozen former columns exploring why we need one and how we might go about it. One thing is certain, a new American Story lifting up our highest ideals must be woven into a fabric of appreciative relationships connecting the individual… Read more

How can the nation create a new story of America that weaves diverse cultures and languages into a narrative shared by all?  Previous Country Parson columns have struggled with the question: A Path Toward Unity, 1.19.21; Segreintegration, 2.16.21; Tell Me a Story, 3.6.21.  The struggle is necessary, but there are people and organizations doing more. … Read more

A significant percentage of the population desires strong leadership to direct the world about them.  Social scientists have more to say about how big the number is.  Studies I followed many decades ago suggested about half the adult population preferred strong leadership in their working lives: bosses who were clear about what to do, how… Read more

We’ve entered the season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, my favorite season of the church year.  The past six months have been filled with special times to await the Messiah’s birth, celebrate his arrival, anticipate his death, and rejoice in his resurrection.  Now we have the luxury of six months to dive deep into the gospel… Read more

Harlan Miller, 1915-2004 Mr. Miller, as he was called, was our beloved brother in Christ who taught us the meaning of perseverance and faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. His story is part of St. Paul’s story. He was known to the community as an impoverished hermit living in a two room shack. His… Read more

What is the right way to celebrate Memorial Day?  To celebrate, at least in its older meaning, is to observe with ceremonies of respect.  Those who have died in war deserve solemn respect and profound honor, but not glorification.  Glorifying their deaths demeans them by using them to glorify war itself.  It is often said… Read more