Truly, truly… it was a stunning, invigorating performance of the Messiah. The performance was at Ursinus College last Sunday and the conductor was our very own redoubtable G.F. Handel… aka John French. It was a profound joy to hear the music played with fresh and attentive vigor, and because much of it was enhanced by… Continue reading
Sermon “Well you know now” – Alan Neale
“MAUD Muller, on a summer’s day, Raked the meadow sweet with hay. Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth Of simple beauty and rustic health” So begins the poem Maud Muller written by John Greenleaf Whittier in 1856. The poem tells the story of a servant girl Maud Miller and an unnamed Judge. They meet… Continue reading
Actor or Director
So on the way to this week’s silent retreat, driving a most fun Fiat smart car, I was listening to “Fresh Air” (?) on PBS. The director of the new film “Nebraska” was being interviewed – can’t remember his name. The conversation was just great, honest questions posed and some really fun and stark honest… Continue reading
Oh they stray so often!
As I think about writing this post, I sense some fear that yet again here is the rambling frenetic rants of an old man. I dispense with those fears pretty quickly because it’s better for these rants to be written here in the land of almost total emptiness rather than intrude them upon another real… Continue reading
The PTWB Syndrone
Oh this syndrome is prevalent, so very prevalent. It affects the lives of many and tends to ruin relationships as well as clothing. Its symptoms are dirty hands, scattered detritus and often psychic conflict within the individual soul and between two otherwise well-disposed hearts. Sorry, I need to unpack the acronym – Pesistently Tamped Waste… Continue reading
Beware The Paralysis of Mixed Motives
I believe that all I do is the result of mixed motives; not necessarily a mixture of pure and not pure, of good and not good but simply a mixture of motives. To any decision and action I bring all of me and that includes “past me of experiences” and “future me of hopes and… Continue reading
Is this insanity or what?
It is all too common a scene throughout Center City – bicycles (forgive the archaism) locked to a signpost or similar, in the blink of an eye, the bike is rapidly and efficiently denuded. I should, but will not, restrain from commenting that all to often these bikes are locked illegally in certain places; but… Continue reading
“But I thought you didn’t want me to hug you” – tug of war, war of hug?
Walking to walk this week, I espied a couple approaching me fast. Probably in their late twenties/early thirties they were “going at it hammer and tongs”. They walked with as much space between them as possible, only deigned to look at each other when they were addressing (yes, that formal) each other and speaking far… Continue reading
Thank you, Kristin
Alan Neale is not only a inspirational Reverend but a phenomenal person. Our decision to get married at The Church of the Holy Trinity led us to meeting Alan. He guided us into our journey of marriage with wisdom, compassion, humor and faith. My husband I come from Christian backgrounds and Reverend Neale really put… Continue reading
Facade Maintenance is so very Exhausting
The picture is so very eloquent – keeping up facade is exhausting, requires so many resources and behind the facade is simply nothing, all air! No wonder Jesus once said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.