A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
This year, Holy Week, is anything but holy. Rather, it’s more like the week from hell, at least from a scheduling standpoint. Between Chorale rehearsals, choir practice, and church services, I’ve had one evening to myself. That doesn’t count all the deadlines at work that are coming due. Wednesday was my last choir rehearsal with … Read More “Holey Week” »
I got home from FETC, emptied my suitcase, then Laura filled it with her things. Today she headed off for an ACS conference through Wednesday, leaving me on my own for awhile. At least we got to see each other for a few hours. This morning’s sermon at Fourth dealt with Peter’s denial. This made … Read More “The Sword of Peter” »
I began this Lenten season with the sin of pride. Having missed Mardi Gras by spending it all day at a hospital with my father, I figured I was entitled to at least some leeway on Ash Wednesday. Fourth Presbyterian had a service this evening with Communion and the imposition of the ashes. During the … Read More “Ash Wednesday” »
Yesterday’s Greenville News had an article in the Religion section about a company that provides tours of Colorado museums, with an eye toward promoting creationism. A guide for BC (Biblically Correct) Tours was quoted in the article as declaring that humans and dinosaurs were both created on the sixth day, and that they coexisted in … Read More “Biblically Correct Blindness” »
I really blew it this morning. The morning’s scripture was from the Book of Mark. And they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great glory….Watch, therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house wil come, in the evening, or at midnighht, or at cockcrow, or in … Read More “Advent Antonym” »
It’s days like these that remind me why I retired from church work in the first place. It is an absolutely glorious October Sunday, with a cool bite to the air. The sun casts long rays heightening contrasts and color. I’m tempted to grab my camera, but laziness and a third cup of coffee hold … Read More “Remember the Sabbath” »
First full choir rehearsal at Fourth on my own. Things went well, except… Sunday’s Anthem: "How Can I Keep from Singing?" Quaker hymn made famous by Enya. Today’s News from Florida: Choir refuses to stop singing and must be removed by authorities. The pastor of a Charlotte Harbor church had 16 church members booted from … Read More “Cosmic convergence” »
I tend not to be nervous on Sunday mornings. I figure what’s going to happen will happen. Wendesday evenings are another matter, as I worry about getting everything ready. Even with this being my first Sunday as choir director at Fourth Presbyterian, I wasn’t too nervous. Excited, yes, but not nervous. This, despite nightmares this … Read More “First @ Fourth” »
The Upstate Beat has a new feature I find intriguing. In the series "Houses of the Holy," one of the Beat’s reviewers (prophets) will anonymously visit a place of worship and report back. There are thousands of houses of worship in the Upstate and our Prophets are sampling them. From time to time one of … Read More “Houses of the Holy” »
What a motto. At least it’s better than some of the ones that got put up when I used to work here.