What's Tony Thinking

From Mexico No. 1

November 5, 2022 — Although we have been here just four days, it feels — now Saturday — as though it is the end of our first week. I thought you might be interested in brief report on how we’re doing . . . In a word, great. We’ve settled into the parsonage, a lovely apartment in El Centro,... Read More

Dia De Muertos in San Miguel

November 2, 2022 — We arrived in San Miguel de Allende late on the evening of November 1, just in time for the actual Day of the Dead festivities today, on November 2. Dia De Muertos celebrations run 3, 4 and 5 days, but November 2 is the actual Day. The town square here in San Miguel is filled... Read More

Trump’s Most Dangerous Deed

October 30, 2022 — There’s a lot to choose from when you weighing the worst of Donald Trump. Calling and urging on the January 6th rioters. Telling so many lies that the meaning and power of truth has been eroded nearly beyond recognition. His casual cruelty toward the weak and vulnerable, and his dishonoring of the honorable. The relentless... Read More

Off to Mexico

October 29, 2022 — Linda and I head to San Miguel De Allende in Mexico on November 1. For the months of November and December I will be the “Minister in Residence” at the Community Church there. San Miguel is said to be a very beautiful small city. It is about 90 minutes north of Mexico City in the... Read More

Is Halloween More Christian Than Christmas?

October 26, 2022 — Is Halloween “more Christian” than Christmas? I’m sure this is a question you’ve been asking yourself . . . Well, my answer is, “Quite possibly yes.” Why? Is it because the run-up is shorter and less exhausting? Or because we spend less on Halloween than Christmas (although plenty is spent on the former too)? Or... Read More

Exasperated With the Progressive Dems

October 25, 2022 — There has been a raft of articles this fall on one theme: the Democratic Party, or at least its progressive wing, is doing as much to ensure that the Republicans take control of Congress in the mid-terms as the opposition. The Republicans tried to shoot themselves in the foot with crazy candidates. But the progressive... Read More

Week End: Rain, Rats for Peace and Russia’s Christian Nationalism

October 22, 2022 — Rain has returned to the Pacific Northwest, after a long dry summer that extended into the first month of fall. The lack of rainfall meant that wildfire smoke hung over the Puget Sound region like a cloak for weeks. Our air quality, normally some of the world’s best, was the world’s worst. For real northwesterners, the... Read More

Divided Congregations in a Politically Polarized Nation

October 19, 2022 — Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles refuses to preach political sermons. He has had people leave his synagogue because of it. Of these challenges Wolpe said something I find compelling. “A great failing of modern American society is that people get to know each other’s politics before they get to know their humanity.”... Read More

Grace in Families

October 18, 2022 — Our “Grace In Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life” webinar had its third session Monday evening focused on Zahl’s chapter on “Grace in Families.” Here’s a link to the recording of that session. The church has often been criticized for being too family focused, which I understand. In some churches “Mother’s Day” is second only... Read More

My Second “Show”

October 16, 2022 — I hung ten of my paintings early this morning at Javasti Cafe in Northeast Seattle. Great little place with wonderful crepes, or so I am told. Javasti has three Seattle locations. This is the one in Maple Leaf, at 85th and 5th. Hope some of you that are in the Seattle area can get by... Read More

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