circle of hope – Today, if you hear his voice

Let’s actually DO something

When my new cell started my apprentice, Pat, was adamant that our cell be about actually doing stuff and not just talking about stuff. Pat is like my canary in the coal mine for toxic church fumes. He’s seen it all and still has to intentionally work to let his instinctual defenses down to moveContinue reading “Let’s actually DO something”

Invitation

In Circle of Hope we say our vision for fulfilling our mission is this: “We create an environment where people can connect with God and act for redemption. Responding in love to our thirsty region and fractured society, we are birthing a new generation of the church to resist and restore with those moved byContinue reading “Invitation”

I’m that guy with the sign

At one point this week I was having a conversation with 3 new acquaintances simultaneously about 1) good and evil 2) greek tragedies, 3) vampires and 4) the broken Democratic machine in Philadelphia. My “Tell Me Your Story” bench kind of blossomed on Monday afternoon. That wasn’t the only multi-person conversation I had either. I’mContinue reading “I’m that guy with the sign”

Circle of Hope’s Public Joy

I was driving down the Broad Street on Sunday when all of a sudden I had to pull over abruptly in the center “parking lane.” My friends, Forest and Ben were playing guitars in front of the library at Broad and Morris! It was a beautiful morning and these beautiful people were making some beautifulContinue reading “Circle of Hope’s Public Joy”

Grace says they don’t want to talk to you

A three year old is holding his mother’s hand in one hand and a much too real looking toy handgun in the other. A well dressed dad and ballet dancer daughter emerge from the subway. He drops her off at the dance school and returns toward the subway. A tiny girl, hair dangling what seemsContinue reading “Grace says they don’t want to talk to you”

“Good Morning” means something… I hope

I stood outside in the rain today for an hour to see who would talk to me. Between 8 and 9 in the morning, especially when it isn’t raining but even when it is, South Broad Street’s sidewalk is a river of people streaming to work. This morning, the bells of St. Rita’s started andContinue reading ““Good Morning” means something… I hope”