E-pistles « Old First Reformed United Church of Christ

X-ray Vision, Old First E-pistle 02.17.12

Posted February 16, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

In confirmation class last Sunday, I posed a question for Anna, Madelyn and Warren, “If a friend suddenly discovered that you go to church, was terribly surprised, and asked why, how would you explain it?” I can’t wait for the answers they work out… This week, Transfiguration Sunday suggests an answer that would work for [...]

Doing Theology the Other Way Around: Old First E-pistle 02.12.12.

Posted February 9, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Theology — what we believe about God — matters. “God” from our relative human perspective is who or what we are willing to acknowledge as our ultimate reality. And that admission determines what we can see about our world, our neighbors and ourselves. Theology, therefore, can be powerful… harmful… eye-opening… inarticulate… transformative… ineffectual… insightful… abusive… [...]

Infusing a Bit of Rogue Upstart in a Venerable Institution: Old First E-pistle 02.02.12

Posted February 2, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Looking to take his corporation public, Mark Zuckerberg outlined, in a letter to potential investors on Wednesday (no, I didn’t receive this letter personally!), five core values of Facebook’s business operations. As opposed to white shoe firms and sedate, tweedy Fortune 500’s, Zuckerberg sketches a rogue upstart of a company. I wonder if covenant ministry [...]

What Do You Want Church to Make You?: E-pistle 01.26.12

Posted January 26, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Maybe this is not be the week for an E-pistle about the church’s net effect on our lives! But I’ll ask anyway: are you strengthened by your participation at church, or does church bring out your lesser side? It’s an important question. But why am I worried about asking now? Well, you see, congregational meetings [...]

Learning How to Give Ourselves: E-pistle 01.19.12

Posted January 18, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Brian McLaren, in his blogpost, “The Church and the Solution,” tells of something extraordinary happening on an ordinary Sunday. ‎…A typical Sunday: the music was good; the sermon made him think, even provided ‘a little pick me up;’ the prayers were moving; he was glad to see people, and they were glad to see him. [...]

What Can I Offer: Old First E-pistle 01.12.12

Posted January 12, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Faithful, religious imaginations have added to the story of the magi and their gifts over the generations. Because the gifts made available to us in God’s grace are myriad. One of my favorites embellishments has a young shepherdess named Madelon meet the wise ones on their way to Bethlehem. Not having a gift suitable to [...]

A Visitation: Old First E-pistle 01.05.12

Posted January 5, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

(Our E-pistle is guest authored this week by Marta Rose, who I thank for writing. If anyone else wishes to pen an E-pistle, please let me know. I’ll do them most weeks, but would like our E-pistles to become multi-voiced this year…) I noticed the kid with the pink hair first when his family walked [...]

A New Heaven for a New Year?, E-pistle 12.29.11

Posted December 29, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

One of you, having lately come through a shadowed valley, shared your revelation with me: how overwhelming, unending and unbeatable situations feel when we are going through them. (Think of, for example, not knowing how to parent your child through difficulty… an IRS audit… mice suddenly running around the house… a misunderstanding with a loved [...]

An Unusual Gift: Invite Someone to Church for Christmas, E-pistle 12.21.11

Posted December 21, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

In the shadow of all the Occupy protests this fall, I’ve struggled for alternatives to gifts that feel like “buying people more stuff they don’t need or want.” A currently re-running radio ad challenges us: “does anyone really want ‘pleather’ gloves!” But stepping out of ‘loyal service’ to North American consumerism, it turns out, isn’t [...]

Leaving Home to Come Back Home Again: E-pistle 12.15.11

Posted December 15, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

My E-pistle this week is a reworking of “Leaving Home,” written by the Rev. David Keighley, a progressive priest in the Church of England being pressured by his bishop to conform to traditional norms. Using his protest as inspiration, I’ve applied his tack to our covenant ministry and the contemporary church’s need to speak meaningfully to [...]

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