Do you believe? What does it mean to believe? This question is central to most religious misunderstandings. “How can anybody believe that?” we ask ourselves about others” beliefs. When Mark Twain was asked if he believed in infant baptism, he famously responded, “Believe in it? I’ve seen it!” Twain’s quip moves us to the heart of the problem, as he... READ MORE >
Many people have reflected on the interplay between creativity and spirituality. Artists speak of their “making” as central to their spiritual quest. And many who visit an art gallery find themselves moved in ways that defy understanding. After a few years of collaborating with the Grand Marais Art Colony on a spring themed exhibit, Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church... READ MORE >
Many people have reflected and written on the interplay between creativity and spirituality. Artists speak of their “making” as central to their spiritual quest. And many who visit an art gallery find themselves moved in ways that defy understanding. After a few years of collaborating with the Grand Marais Art Colony on a spring themed exhibit, Spirit of the Wilderness... READ MORE >
Stories guide our way of being; they allow us to make sense of our place in the world. Sometimes our narratives seem clear, but often they are invisible to us. The dominant story I grew up with—about a prince swooping in to rescue me—ran so deep, I was oblivious to its influence until it began to break down. Some of... READ MORE >
“How was your trip?” I asked a retired woman in a class I teach in St. Paul. Isabelle and her husband John had just returned from five weeks in South America. “It was incredible,” she answered and spoke about Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and a cruise around Cape Horn. “John and I,” Isabelle continued, “are very fortunate to have the... READ MORE >
Forty years ago, the world was rocked by the “death of God” movement. Believers were up in arms—how dare anyone say God is dead? But central to any spiritual quest is our willingness to let our old gods die. As human beings, we inevitably create gods who look a lot like us, who share our prejudices and inclinations. This is... READ MORE >
“I used to be a Christian,” said Donna as we drove along the Gunflint Trail, back from a snowshoe venture. “But then I started working alongside people who were fervent Jews and Muslims…. I had a co-worker who would spread his rug to pray. And I made friends who were trying to live good lives but had been so wounded... READ MORE >
Different cultures, backgrounds, times, places: and the world is seen through varying lenses and expressed in different ways. Native sensibilities have been caricatured and celebrated, copied and admired. In Seen Through Native Eyes: A Celebration of Native Art, we hope to delve deeply and begin to see (at least realize what we can’t see) through native eyes, both to broaden... READ MORE >
Five years ago this month, Layne and Rolf Lindquist put an ad in the paper: “Are there any other Episcopalians out there?” A number of folks responded and that group started meeting for worship and to share their faith journeys. The name—Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal—seemed to come out of the sky. Our motto also seemed to just arrive: “Inviting... READ MORE >
Under apartheid, many South African Christians claimed that racial discrimination was supported by the Bible. Others argued that the church should be saving souls, avoiding politics. Still others (like the Anglican church) were struggling to dismantle apartheid. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu said this of the churches ignoring or supporting apartheid: What Bible are they reading? It’s a good question. When... READ MORE >
