In the wake of the terrible events in Tucson, Diana Butler Bass has offered a remarkable blog.

Amidst the predictable blaming of each side by the other within a bitterly polarized America, she asks, “Who will speak for the soul?”

So you’ve resolved to go on a diet. After a year of church dinners, I’m with you! But have you considered putting your church on a diet—an energy diet? You’ll be in good company if you do.

My last post was written on the eve of UN International Human Rights day, and focused on the 'Morong 43'.

Yesterday's news from the Philippines was that President Aquino took the opportunity of December 10 to announce that the Department of Justice has been ordered to immediately withdraw all the charges filed against the 43 health workers who were arrested in Morong, Rizal in early February.

Last evening I returned from a week-long visit with our partners in the Philippines, a nation of 7,100 islands—7,101 at low tide. United Nations Human Rights Day, December 10, is already dawning there. 

I often speak about how people of faith provide the impetus for national discussions and dramatic shifts by appealing to heart and soul. I love recalling the leadership of, among others, William Wilberforce, Nellie McClung, Tommy Douglas, Martin Luther King Jr., and Desmond Tutu.

As I rolled into Toronto’s Union Station yesterday, I felt too overwhelmed by stories and reflections to pull them apart for telling quite yet. After 52 discrete events or gatherings in 27 days, they will take some time to sift and sort. Visits throughout Alberta and Northwest Conference were as extraordinary as the others, and different of course. 

It’s hard to say goodbye to Saskatchewan Conference after a wonderful week of visiting.