On the Way

by David Hilfiker I’m proud to call myself both a follower of Jesus and a political leftist. I believe that many of my political beliefs—care for the poor, non-violence, social/political activism, etc.—spring directly from the Gospel. But I get tired of the jeremiads against Christian beliefs from my secular left-wing brothers and sisters. Analyzing right-wing, reactionary politics, too many of the articles and columns in the progressive and radical magazines I read will at some … Read More

by Kayla McClurg “I didn’t know what was so near, or that it was mine. This perfect sweetness blossoming in the depths of my heart.” – Tagore In community we begin to discover a desire for what we didn’t know was so near, or that it was ours. Traveling into the depths proves to be a lifelong journey, and happens best in community. One of the benefits of being in a church that strives to be on … Read More

by Patty Wudel A friend has shared his awareness of the life transition toward dying and eventual death he finds himself in now. Big news for us all, and dare I say, “glorious” for the sense of awareness and wonder and something even deeper than acceptance—perhaps “welcome”—that I sense in him at a time when he is beginning to lose his life as he has always known it. What manner of loss is this? A … Read More

by Marjory Bankson We are once again standing at a turning point in the life of The Church of the Saviour. The Potter’s House Church has set down its call, and the Eighth Day Faith Community, through the Banyan Tree Mission Group, has picked it up. For some, this time feels like death. For others, it is an exciting time of new birth. When Peter and I arrived at The Church of the Saviour in 1976, we had read all of Elizabeth O’Connor’s … Read More

by Joelle Novey I remember it so vividly. I am 10 years old, sitting on the banks of a lake at mid-morning, between tall grasses on all sides that closed around and over my head. I am a camper at Jewish summer camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and usually we pray the regular weekday morning liturgy, from books, on benches inside. But this morning, the counselors have told us to spend the prayer … Read More

by Fred Taylor When I first was exposed to The Church of the Saviour, what immediately impressed me was the presence of a lot of blessings—helpful preaching and teaching, heartwarming, healing relationships, laughing and having fun together, and seriousness about things that really matter. In this community there was the awareness and acknowledgement of pain along with contagious joy. The community was grounded in a reality bigger than itself. I wanted what I felt and … Read More

by Susan Morley “There is an urge among us to birth a different world.” – Paul Hawken Birthing a baby is more than enough challenge, but a new world! Yikes! Advent is upon us and I am keenly aware of the craving for a different world. The Prayer Hut in Primavera Center is waiting for a symbol worthy of the inner work needed this season. Yet inner movements remain subtle. Clues often are all that … Read More

by Jim Hall We are living in a time when all around us old stories are dying and new stories are struggling to be born. It is by story that we understand who we are, how we came to be and what we are about. We all live by story, and we are in trouble just now because we do not have a good story. New story emerges in many ways—as we let go of … Read More