Latest from ESAGun Violence: America's Greatest Spiritual and Moral CrisisDecember 5, 2019By James E. Atwood My life as a young pastor, and the trajectory of my ministry, changed almost in the twinkling of an eye one afternoon in 1975. My secretary informed me I had a telephone call from the intensive care unit of a local hospital. One of my parishioners,…...Read more...Shaking a Fist(ful of Joy) in the Face of DespairDecember 4, 2019By Kristyn Komarnicki This is the world I'm handing off to my young adult sons and future grandchildren? A nation where the merits of removing protections from select groups of humans is an actual subject of debate among its citizens? Where the body politic is crippled by an autoimmune disease…...Read more...A Letter to Boy, Age SevenDecember 3, 2019By Elrena Evans Merry Christmas! I picked your card off the Christmas tree in my church because I have three boys of my own—two older than you and one younger—and I thought they might be able to help me pick out a present for you. (I also have two daughters,…...Read more...The Eve of AdventDecember 2, 2019By Eberhard Arnold In the past God spoke…through the prophets at many times and in various ways. ~ Hebrews 1:1 Advent is a time in which we share in the longing of all those who lived in the distant past. We must feel how, in their suffering and struggle, they…...Read more...Difficult Discussions at Dinner?November 28, 2019Are you nervous about navigating potentially tricky conversations with loved ones today? ESA's dialogue expert, Kristyn Komarnicki, shares some strategies for dialogue across difference. (Click here for an edited transcript of this conversation.) JOIN US! We're talking with our dialogue expert Kristyn Komarnicki about navigating sensitive conversations with loved…...Read more...Let's Keep "Give" in ThanksgivingNovember 27, 2019This article originally appeared on November 9th, 2015. It's not Thanksbuying. Or Thanksworking. It's Thanksgiving, a time to rest and feast and reconnect with family and friends, a time to give thanks to the Creator for all the blessings in our lives—the relationships, the sustenance, the joy and purpose of…...Read more...25 Books by Indigenous Authors You Should Be ReadingNovember 26, 2019By Kaitlin B. Curtice I'm constantly asked for resources on how people can move forward learning about Indigenous culture, and I'm often repeating the same thing: read books. Read books. First and foremost, this supports Indigenous peoples who are writers and creators. It directly gives back to Indigenous communities and…...Read more...Giving Thanks and Thankful GivingNovember 25, 2019By Greg Paul Thanksgiving may be the last communal and contemplative annual event in North America. Most people, whether they're religious or not, recognize that gratitude is a good thing. And most of us, even in strained circumstances or in the middle of crisis, can find something to be thankful…...Read more...Six Tips for Hosting a Vegan at ThanksgivingNovember 21, 2019By Sarah Withrow King You're hosting the holiday meal this year and have the menu all planned out when you learn one of the guests is vegan. Hospitality is important to you. You want to share the gifts you've been given, welcome people with open arms, and create a space…...Read more...
