Sound Theology by Colleen Butcher

Every fall, the publishers promote a new batch of Advent devotionals. Even though I have a few books that I come back to each year, I look forward to these new offerings. One that recently caught my eye is called Rise Up Shepherd!: Advent Reflections on the Spirituals, by Luke A. Powery. The Rev. Dr. Powery is the dean of Duke University Chapel and associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School. His book leads us through a separate spiritual for each of the days of Advent. read more…

“I Believe.”

These two small words make all the difference. On Christ the King Sunday, as we speak together the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed, we affirm our allegiance to the Holy King. Not to the rulers of this world, not to the idols that so insidiously call for our attention, but to the one who has redeemed and restored us. read more…

As we wind our way toward the end of the liturgical year, and the end of our tour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 2013 Signature Series broadcasts, we have come to the key of E flat major.

E flat major is the key of heroes. Inspiring, courageous, gritty, and gallant, the music of E flat major calls us to action. It lifts our spirits, acknowledging the struggle, but never abandoning the adventure. It includes some of the best-loved melodies in classical music, from the expansive, breath-taking melodic line in Nimrod to the frenetic, rhythmic brass of the Jupiter movement of The Planets. It is definitely a key of perseverance and rising to the challenge. read more…

This is the second-last week of music inspired by the CBC’s Signature Series: a collection of stories told about music in different keys. Pietropaolo, the producer of this series, calls G major the Trusty Sidekick, and identifies Samwise Gamgee as an example of the ideal traveling companion, because of his loyalty to the task of the shared journey. read more…

This week’s Signature Series key is F major: The Perfect Companion.

Today in worship we remembered saints, both gone and in our midst. We spoke of companionship and camaraderie, mutuality and mentorship, sorrow and joy. We lit candles and listened as the bell tolled. Most importantly, we prayed. read more…