As someone who did not always observe All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day, I have grown to appreciate the spiritual significance of both these feasts deeply. As we remember the followers of Jesus who died before us, these feasts remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and encourage us to…
The Liturgical Home: All Saints’ Day
Halloween is almost here! I doubt this is news to you. The stores have been filled with hanging witches and zombies for weeks, and nowhere is Halloween on fuller display than in neighborhood yards. Driving through my mom’s neighborhood yesterday, I passed by ghosts hanging from trees and gravestones placed in the grass. There was…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Simon & St. Jude
As the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude approaches on October 28th, the Church anticipates a unique celebration that honors not one but two remarkable saints and apostles. The Church commemorates them together due to ancient Christian traditions and writings that suggest their collaboration in spreading the Gospel and a shared martyrdom in distant…
Let Us Now Praise Famous (and Unfamous) Men: The Wisdom of Sirach
This is the third part of Dr. Noll’s series, “Reading and Enjoying the Apocrypha.” “Let us now praise famous men” is the best-known phrase from the entire Apocrypha. In the 20th century, it was used as the title of a photo narrative of poverty in Appalachia by James Agee and Walker Evans and a patriotic…
Told the Devil That I’m Going on a Strike: Kanye West for All Saints’ Day
“We could call ‘halfway believers’ Only halfway read Ephesians Only if they knew what I knew I was never new till I knew of True and living God, Yeshua The true and living God Somebody pray for me.” Since last week, I’ve been listening to Kanye West’s new album Jesus is King and not just…
All Saints’ Day: A Rookie Anglican Guide
While the close of October is typically known for Halloween, its liturgical forerunner is All Hallows’ Eve (Oct. 31) followed by All Saints’ Day on November 1st. Even though many saints of the church are remembered throughout the calendar year, All Saints’ provides a dedicated day to call to memory those saints who have led…
Spiritual Preparation for Election Day
The third presidential debate is over. Thanks be to God. Both major candidates have made their arguments. Independent and down-ballot candidates have made their case for the presidency, too. American Christians have more than enough information to discern their presidential choice, even if discernment is ongoing and that choice has not yet been made. We’re…
The Ache of All Saints Day
I cannot remember the last All Saints Sunday I sat in the pew instead of the chancel. But this All Saints Day I wasn’t collared and vested, leading the liturgy in the parish I serve. I was seated in a pew in another parish because I’m taking a sabbatical this autumn. Where does an Anglican…
What is All Saints Day?
Knowing Our Family We’ve always been curious about our ancestors, to know where we came from and who we are. We’ve also wanted to gain wisdom from the experience of the past, both successes and failures. And we’ve desired communion and reunion of some sort. I know of a family that discovered an brother/uncle that no…
Should We Let the Kids Trick or Treat?
Yes, we should, and we should welcome the costumed kids and parents in our neighborhoods. The word ‘halloween’ comes from “All Hallow’s Eve.” “All Hallows” is the Christian All Saints Day (November 1st). So Halloween just means “Eve of All Saints Day.” It is far from being a pagan or evil word. Ironically, a church…
