My second favorite columnist on ESPN.com (what, you expect me to spend all my time reading Ricoeur and Tillich?) is a guy named Bill Simmons, also known as “The Sports Guy”. Every once in a while, he’ll write a column that is nothing but quick bullets with links to sports-related points of interest on the web. Since a lot of what I blog about is the intersection of religion and popular culture–and because I really like that format (It makes for a fun read…) and because I am in post-Easter and post-IRS mode (a little tuckered out, so to speak), I think I’ll do a much better job throwing out some conversation starters than trying to think through a specific subject. so…here it goes….
- Just over a week ago, Newsweek featured an interesting article by Jon Meacham on shifting demographics regarding religion in America. It’s worth reading, most definitely (though it doesn’t say anything all that new). Today, I came across an Op-ed that suggests that Meacham’s research points more to the decline of the Religious Right than Christianity’s decline. This, in my mind, is great news.
- After hearing about the documentary Bela Fleck helped put together about the historical relationship between the American Banjo and the West African Kora, I was THRILLED to hear a story and Muscial excerpts on NPR this morning. You can listen to 4 or 5 straight tracks…or just listen to the whole interview.
- I love Tacky Jesus stuff. Well, my sister Amanda sent me a site for “Jesus of the Week”. This is great stuff. Too funny.
- For Holy Saturday, Saint Andrew sponsored a Day of Service, including a young adult service project we jointly performed with the good folks at Community Christian Church in KC, MO. We worked with the Front Porch Alliance on a community beautification project.
- And of course, on Easter Sunday, not only was I thinking about the Gospel Account of the Resurrection, but an amazing Wendell Berry poem that–depending on your perspective–uses Resurrection as a rich metaphor or gets to the heart of what Resurrection is all about. But hey–Maybe metaphors are about getting to the heart of things…
- Sharon and Darrell Cantrell, members here at Saint A, sent me this interesting article today on Short term service and mission projects. Though I think questions about cultural imperialism are important for any sort of development, service, or other international encounters, Menjay rightly points out the centrality of relationship building for an ethical trip.
- Speaking of which, our pilgrimage to El Higueral is coming up in July. For those of you in the Kansas City area who can’t wait for the trip to get your Salvadoran Fix, I have a couple of options for ya. Ivy Wagner, another Saint Andrew member, sent me news about a Salvadoran art show sponsored by the Ecumenical Christian Ministries at KU. And if you haven’t tried El Pugarcito, the amazing Salvadoran restaurant in Merriam, KS….do yourself a favor and go.
- For the record, Scoop Jackson in my favorite writer at ESPN.com. I think he does a superb job talking about sports, culture, and race in America.
- AND THIS… So Haunting. Though Resurrection is a time of joyous celebration in the Christian Tradition, there’s always the dark underbelly. Flannery O’Connor certainly pointed her readers to that, and Johnny Cash, speaking “from beyond the grave,” certainly gets at it, too…
So anyway…I’ll try to this every once in a while….let me know if y’all enjoy it.
Hey, tidbits are great once in awhile!
I saw that article by Jon Meacham the other day when it posted on MSN. The first two pages of mourning for the loss of conservative Christianity were enough…didn’t bother with the last two. Glad to see the Op-Ed, though.
I’ve actually heard some of Toumani Diabate’s music before – it was passed on to me by a coworker. Good stuff!
Speaking of coworkers, our office is moving next month and we will be close enough to try El Pugarcito during lunch. Thanks for the tip!