3 for 3: the Catching Up edition
A curated list of what I've been up to lately plus work from other creators and cultivators who are helping us worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty.
First, a few photos from the past few weeks
Twentieth Annual Hill Family Vacation
We took the calculated risk of being together - remaining outside almost exclusively, sleeping several rooms apart, not going offsite - for the annual summer vacation with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Some weren’t able to be with us (my brother and his wife and son, my sister, her husband and 6 kids, our sons, daughter-in-law and daughter) but we had the entire camp to ourselves and felt gladder then ever to be together. It was Kendra and Jordan’s first summer to be on HFV since they were married, thus the strange family tradition of a “good, old-fashioned horning.” (It’s a long story, and we’re much kinder than the folks that welcomed my newlywed parents to their little cabin in the Adirondack mountains. Also known as a “shivaree”. Look it up here.) Thank God for Letourneau Christian Camp on Canandaigua Lake in upstate New York for providing such an affordable, hospitable place for us each summer.
Seneca Falls, NY & Newport, RI
We bookended the family reunion with quick, socially-distanced visits to Seneca Falls, NY and Newport, RI. First up, Seneca Falls, NY (with its odd dual notoriety as both as the inspiration for Bedford Falls from “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the location for the first convention for women’s right). We basically had the canal walk to ourselves and want to go back sometime when we can go inside the museums. Newport provided us with a gorgeous 6 am cliff walks, state park sunsets, and lobster rolls. We look forward to visiting both places again when the world is a little bit less contagious, but feel so grateful for the opportunity to go anywhere at all this summer!
The theme for today’s post (which, appropriately, I didn’t finish in time to share over the weekend) is the “catching up edition”. While so much important news requires our sober and prayerful attention, I’ve been saving some other truth, goodness, and beauty to share at some point. It felt like the week to do that.
Peace of Christ to us all, friends.
Tamara
Now for some of what I’ve been working on the past few weeks.
Spiritual practices for Living as an Antiracist Person: A Summer Contemplative Retreat Series
The retreat registration is closed for the summer, and the times together have been so good. Stay tuned for future similar opportunities for the Patreon community.
Ordinary Time Daybook posts
A Daybook devotional post each Sunday for the 22 weeks between Pentecost and Advent. Ordinary Time is the longest season of the church calendar - a season of working and resting with Christ as he brings God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
You can read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.
Englewood Review of Books: Seeing the World Through Flannery’s Heart and Soul : A Review of Andalusian Hours: Poems from the Porch of Flannery O’Connor by Angela Alaimo O’Donnell
A couple of excerpts from my review:
"Like rocking on Flannery’s front porch, Angela Alaimo O’Donnell has skillfully expanded my understanding of Flannery’s softer dimensions as well as the parade of “sinners, fools & jerks” emerging from her typewriter each morning, Flannery’s vantage point contains multitudes."
and
"Commitment, devotion, and humility, these three but the greater gift is the invitation to see Flannery’s heart and soul not in spite but through her words. This is a work of imagination compelled by love."
An article I found helpful as I wrestled with writing this review right now: How Flannery O’Connor Fought Racism by Jessica Hooten Wilson via First Things
Anchorlines: A Reflection on the Lectionary, Proper 9 Year A (Zech 9:9-12; Ps 125:1-13; Rom 7:21-8:6; Matt 11:25-30)
Scroll midway to read the reflection.
I was honored to be invited to write a reflection for this new feature for the Diocese of Christ Our Hope’s newsletter. It’s a new kind of writing for me and I discovered I loved it! (Hard not to love the passages I was given, so there’s that, too.)
Two major catching-up posts!
What I Read January - July [From the Book Pile 2020]
Like the rest of you, I haven’t been to the library in ages and I decided to (mostly) catch up on reading the books I’ve gathered through the years from used bookstores and library sales. The ones that caught my eye because I appreciate the author or the title intrigued me. Whenever I happened to be in the same general location of friends’ homes, I raided their shelves, too. My tag line for these reading updates “From the Book Pile” has never been more literal.
I hope you enjoy this dive into the long-neglected titles on my bookshelves and find something that piques your interest.
11 Things I Learned This Spring
I joined Emily Freeman, a writer and podcaster I admire, in her invitation to reflect on the past quarter with a What We Learned reflection. I appreciate the wisdom of author and teacher Jan Johnson’s encouragement: “It’s not the experience that brings transformation; it’s our reflection upon our experience.” Here’s a bit of what I learned about myself, God, and others during this extraordinary season.
Some of the online truth, goodness, and beauty, I’ve enjoyed the past few weeks.
Coronavirus, the Communion of the Saints, and our Comfort - A Conversation with Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh via Church of the Cross, Austin
I’ve meant to share this with you since early May when it was first recorded through a group of Anglican churches in Austin. I never expected a conversation about the history of the Church’s response to plagues and pandemics to capture my heart and imagination in such a meaningful way.
Praying With Our Eyes: The Practice of Visio Divina by Mary Gardner via Coracle
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Daybook devotional post on this blog or my Patreon website you know that my faith has been deeply formed by the spiritual contemplation of images. It always surprises me to learn that this practice doesn’t come naturally for everyone. I keep learning how things that come instinctively to me don’t necessarily come instinctively to others which is why the gift of teaching and instruction are vital for growing any area of competency, including our spiritual practices. I’m so grateful to fellow spiritual director Mary Gardner for this instruction and help in the practice of spiritual contemplation of images.
You might also enjoy: Artful Discipleship - The Role of the Arts in Spiritual Formation by Carolyn Arends via Renovaré
Selah: Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction via Leadership Transformations, Inc.
You hear me talk about my work as a Spiritual Director quite often, and I’m delighted to share this glimpse from my certifying organization. If you’ve ever wondered if a there is a spiritual director inside you, this video might be a good first step. You’re also welcome to ask me anything. I’m happy to share my experience.
Conversation with Juanita Rasmus and James Bryan Smith via Things Above podcast
I enjoyed getting to know Juanita Rasmus in this podcast episode so much that it made me extend my morning walk just so I could keep listening! That was back before summer temperatures started burning my face off so maybe you want to listen from the comfort of an air-conditioned living room.
“In this episode, James and Juanita discuss her latest book Learning to Be: Finding Your Center after the Bottom Falls Out. The book focuses on a time in Juanita’s life that she calls “the crash” and what her counselor called experiencing a major depressive episode. In addition to exhaustion and depression, on the spiritual front she experienced a dark night of the soul. When everything in her life finally came to a stop, she found that she had to learn to be–with herself and with God–all over again. “
Precious Friend What’s Your Victory Song? by Maureen Swinger via Plough
Several weeks ago, my friend Maureen sent me a note to make sure I’d read this story about one of her daughter’s very best friends. It’s a beautiful story about what everyday love and friendship looks like among people of all ages and abilities. Thank you, Maureen, for continuing to share this beauty with the world. May we all grow in the kind of love Rob and Avi demonstrate for us.
Three reports from rescue work being done in India earlier this summer: Sixty-Four Children Among Hundreds Rescued at Brick Kiln During Lockdown, Urgent Rescue of 360 People Sparks Mass Exodus from Brick Kilns, and Media Report Leads to Rescue of 150 from a Garment Factory | via International Justice Mission
I keep ranting to God about the fact that once more in history the poorest, most hidden lives of the earth suffer the greatest repercussions of every disaster, global or otherwise. It’s become a prayer I shout out loud while I stomp around my house. I’m grateful for the work of organizations like IJM who bring not only what’s hidden (evils of modern-day slavery) but the human faces of the hidden into the light.
“Ever since India’s COVID-19 lockdown began, the world has been rattled by the stories of millions of migrant laborers stranded far from their homes and growing desperate without money, food or shelter. In many cases, these workers have been trapped at factories and worksites—as brutal business owners take advantage of the pandemic to extract more and more forced labor.”
An Artist Rises, and Brings a Generation With Him via NYT
I was first introduced to Titus Kaphar’s art back in 2019 when Victoria Emily Jones of the inestimable Art & Theology blog shared the artist’s TED Talk, Can Art Amend History? For some reason, though, it took me a while to realize Kaphar lives and works just up the road from us in New Haven. I’ve put a visit to NXTHVN on my “asap” visit list.
“In a struggling neighborhood with a vibrant history, Titus Kaphar found a home for himself. Now he’s creating a center there to nurture emerging artists.”
Bright Comet NEOWISE Captured Shooting Above Mount Hood by Photographer Lester Tsai via Colossal
You might also enjoy: Along with the stunning photography of the comet NEOWISE that’s been visible throughout July, I’m finally sharing two links about the history of Jesuit scientists, astronomy, and science fiction I’ve been saving for just the right time. Ever since reading Mary Doria Russell’s novel, The Sparrow, I’ve been curious about the convergence of religion and astronomy. These two links - a podcast interview with Vatican astronomers and general history of Jesuits in science fiction - answered a whole lot of questions in the most imaginative and loving ways.
George Coyne and Guy Consolmagno : Asteroids, Stars, and the Love of God via OnBeing with Krista Tippett
Jesuit Scientists in Science Fiction via Thinking Faith
Two picture books for all of us right now -
Preaching to the Chickens: How Civil Rights Legend John Lewis’s Humble Childhood Incubated His Heroic Life via BrainPickings
What God’s Family Looks Like: A Review of God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri via Story Warren
You might also enjoy: My husband reading God’s Very Good Idea for our church kiddos via Facebook. (Our Children’s Ministry Director, Amy Willers, has been sharing these storytime videos the past few weeks and I find them so delightful and restful.)
Bonus: Some random funny and/or sweet things I’ve enjoyed lately and think you might, too.
Rainbow Connection, a 2020 performance by Kermit the Frog (I never get tired of this song. I love it so much, my son and I danced to this version at his wedding.)
Malcolm Corden Teaches Donald Trump How To Hold the Bible (This is funnier and sweeter than it sounds, I promise!)
Seniors Quarantining in English Care Facility Recreate Iconic Album Covers (Some of these folks should replace the actual album covers, imho.)