Author Archives: dwalker

June 24, 2012, The Rev Kate Wesch preaching

In a world of specialties and advanced degrees,
it’s easy to defer to the “experts” on all manner of topics –
from medicine to child rearing, to public safety and technology.
Why, just this past week,
I heard a story on NPR about the two people
killed by grizzly bears last year at Yellowstone National Park.
After 25 years incident free,
it seems people have become complacent about the bears.

According to the report,
“Park officials say visitors sometimes take safety for granted,
in part because they’re used to visiting zoos and amusement parks,
where nature is much, much more controlled.
So Yellowstone is trying to get the word out about bear safety.”

Yellowstone spokesperson, Al Nash warns,
“I fear that some visitors believe that if things were dangerous,
we, the National Park Service, would somehow control it.
That’s not the case.” Read more

May 20, 2012, The Rev Doyt Conn preaching

There is a bit of controversy going on over the Girl Scouts. It seems the Roman Catholic Church is concerned that they are undermining the morality and decency of America. Now I’ve known a few Girl Scouts and still, but even so, I was stunned when I heard the Roman Church chose the Girl Scouts as a target of investigation. Really? Who thought that was a good idea? They might as well be investigating nuns…

As I watch this ridiculous folly unfold I wonder what all of our non-religious friends are saying about this event. Probably something like, “this is why I consider myself spiritual, but not religious.” In the shadow of the Roman Church’s misguided display, I can understand why someone would want to duck behind this culturally popular moniker: I’m spiritual not religious. Read more