A conversation between Rev. Paul M. Turner and Vicar Alyce Keener of Atlanta’s Gentle Spirit Christian Church on the subject of a Christian and LGBT response to the tragedy in Orlando.
How to Respond to the Tragedy in Orlando Read More »
I thought I’d sit down today and get indignant about the crass politicization of a complete non-issue. No, I’m not talking about Benghazi, or private email servers, or whether or not Donald Trump actually knows how to run a business. I’m talking about something that actually has everyday people acting as though they’ve lost their
What the Whole World Could Learn From a 15-Year-Old Girl Read More »
Our tradition of fasting and praying from Good Friday to Easter Sunday began in 2006. At that time, we felt keenly that our church was at a crossroads, and we found ourselves turning to God for answers about our future direction as a congregation. We prayed and were led to the following key conclusions that
Holy Week 2016 Pastoral Call to Fast and Pray Read More »
The Easter Sunrise Service at the Church Without Walls in Atlanta’s Candler Park at 7:31am on Sunday, March 27th caps the 2016 Holy Week and Lenten observance for Gentle Spirit Christian Church, which includes:
Easter Sunrise Service Caps 2016 Holy Week and Lenten Observance Read More »
As we enter a new year, I’m going to go out on a not-very-long limb and declare 2016 the Year of the Displaced. I do this to call attention to the fact that “one out of every 122 people alive today is someone who, at some point, was forced to leave his or her home“.
2016: The Year of the Displaced Read More »
The first Sunday of Advent is November 29th. Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating the season with Gentle Spirit Christian Church. Worship Services Teddy Bear MinistryEvery year we collect teddy bears and stuffed animals during the Advent season and distribute them to patients in local hospitals and hospitals to spread Christmas cheer and
Christmas 2015: Worship Services, Lectionary & Ministries Read More »
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The well-known first paragraph of the preamble of the Declaration of Independence is an absolute revelation of both human rights
A New Declaration of Independence Read More »
While I am excited beyond words that marriage equality is now the law of the land, from sea to shining sea, let me assure you that Gentle Spirit Christian Church is not in any danger of becoming a Vegas-style wedding chapel. In fact, the only thing that will change for us is that we will
Our Policy on the Sacrament of Marriage Read More »
Remember the Arab Spring? Fueled by social media, the people of several Arab nations started taking to the streets five years ago to demand a different way of life, a change in the relationship they have with their governments. Now granted, the Egypt, Libya and Syria of today may not look exactly like what we
American Spring: Marriage equality and the arc to justice Read More »
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) The name Emanuel means “God is with us”. And as if one needed any more evidence that God is with the grieving survivors of Dylann Roof’s rampage at Emanuel African Methodist
Calvary in Charleston: How forgiveness overcame guns, flags and hate Read More »