As I discern my own vocation, George Herbert’s poem, The Priesthood, has helped me to understand the sacrament of ordination. Sacraments of the Church The catechism of the ACNA describes five different rites and institutions as “sacraments of the church” (see To Be A Christian, #124). These differ from the sacraments of Baptism and Holy…
How to Read the Psalms for All They’re Worth
The Psalms are the single best guide to the spiritual life currently in print. Ellen Davis, Getting Involved with God The Psalms are inexhaustible, and deserve to be read, said, sung, chanted, whispered, learned by heart, and even shouted from the rooftops. They express all the emotions we are ever likely to feel (including some…
Ten Poets Every Pastor Should Read
I made you a mixtape. Let me explain. When I get to know someone in church ministry and it comes out at some point that I have a background in poetry, there are usually just two responses. For some, it’s a polite pivot into safer conversational territory—so how about this weather we’ve been having, huh?…
Denise Levertov’s ‘On A Theme By Thomas Merton’
Lent with the Poets #4. Series Introduction is here. Why are some writers of faith celebrated in American Christianity while others are not? That is my question about today’s poet, Denise Levertov. Among Christians devoted to the arts, Levertov is profoundly appreciated. Yet she hasn’t received the wider acclaim and affection that many afford to Frederick…
‘Possible Answers to Prayer’ by Scott Cairns
by Jack King. Lent with the Poets Series #3. Series Introduction is here. In the first two posts of this series, I featured a few 19th-century poets whose verse addresses Lenten themes. For the third feature, I’ve chosen a current American poet, Scott Cairns, who continues to publish poetry. Cairns is an Orthodox Christian who incorporates the richness…
‘Up-hill’ by Christina Rossetti
by Jack King. Lent with the Poets Series #2. Series Introduction is here. This week’s poet is Christina Rossetti, a 19th century Anglican poet who is often compared to Emily Dickinson. Christmas seems incomplete without Rosetti’s lyrical carols, such as In the Bleak Midwinter and Love Shown Down at Christmas. Yet the richness of Rossetti’s verse has been sorely neglected…
Rainer Maria Rilke’s ‘No One Lives His Life’
Introducing Anglican Pastor’s Lent with the Poets Series Today is a day of new beginnings for all of us walking this Lenten journey. Ash Wednesday began the Lenten season yesterday and we’re focused on living into the disciplines we’ve undertaken for these next 40 days. Today is also a new beginning for me as I join…
