St. Paul: Review Haiku

As we approach Holy
Week, a clear-eyed look at
maybe-not a jerk.

St. Paul: The Apostle We Love to Hate by Karen Armstrong. New Harvest, 2015, 143 pages.

The Lion of Rora: Review Haiku

Little-known tale of
religious persecution
and war strategy.

The Lion of Rora by Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage. Oni Press, 2015, 184 pages.

The Relevance of Religion: Review Haiku

In this Lenten
political season, some timely
manna for thought.

The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics by John Danforth. Random, 2015, 268 pages.

How Mirka Caught a Fish: Review Haiku

Everyone's favorite
orthodox hero is back,
with mommy issues.

How Mirka Caught a Fish (Hereville #3) by Barry Deutsch. Amulet, 2015, 144 pages.

Merry Christmas.

The Hired Girl: Review Haiku

Farm girl flees to big
city; learns more than she
ever knew possible.

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz. Candlewick, 2015, 387 pages.

TOMORROW: Come to the Advent Fair!

Local peeps, get your holiday shopping done at the annual St. Paul's Advent Fair! 9:00am to 2:00pm, 100 Pine Hill Road in Bedford.

http://www.thebedfordcitizen.org/2015/11/23/st-pauls-advent-fair-saturday-december-5-from-9-am-until-2-pm/

Come Rain or Come Shine: Review Haiku

Just as sweet as
orange marmalade cake -- and just
as believable.

Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon. Putnam, 2015, 304 pages.

On vacation

As is my wont, I'm taking July off from blogging. Think of me fondly, especially from 7/11 through 7/18, when eleven of my favorite high schoolers, three of my favorite adults, and I will be sweating and grunting through a week of hard work with Appalachia Service Project.

www.asphome.org

ST. PAUL'S TONIGHT: Come see me being silly!

On Saturday,  May 2, at 7:00pm, and Sunday, May 3, at 3:00pm, I'll be wearing a very short poodle skirt and leading a cast of fellow crazy Episcopalians in a tribute to the music and culture of the 1950s.

• Your favorite tunes, from Bill Haley to Elvis Presley!
• Men's synchronized swimming!
• Terrible vintage commercials!
• A real rock-and-roll band!

It's a ton of fun: what we may lack in skill, we more than make up for in enthusiasm and joy. Tickets are $10; all proceeds support the ministries and programs of St. Paul's.

COME SEE US!

ST. PAUL'S TONIGHT: ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK.
Saturday, May 2, 7:00pm
Sunday, May 3, 3:00pm
Tickets $10 at the door
John Glenn Middle School auditorium, 99 McMahon Road, Bedford, MA 01730.

Flatbread Benefit Night for ASP!

Friends in Bedford/Burlington/Billerica and all other B and non-B town in Massachusetts: Come to Flatbread in Bedford tomorrow night, March 10, for a Benefit Night for my church's upcoming mission trip to West Virginia with Appalachia Service Project.

Flatbread will donate $3.50 for every large pizza and $1.75 for every small pizza purchased toward our trip. Takeout and curbside pickup are available, so you don't even have to get out of the car.

Ash Wednesday

Remember you are but dust, and to dust you shall return.

Also, stop looking at my forehead.

Gabi, Girl in Pieces: Review Haiku

We need diverse books
because Gabi's is a
universal story.

Gabi, Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero. Cinco Puntos Press, 2014, 208 pages.

We remember.

Small Victories: Review Haiku

Everyone's favorite
Christian next door is at it
again. Say amen.

Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott. Riverhead, 2014, 304 pages.

Hodie Christus natus est

Lights, please.


And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

ADVENT FAIR! Saturday, 9:00am to 2:00pm!

Local friends, stop by tomorrow for fabulous crafts, gift baskets, handmade items, and more! I'll be manning the raffle table (win a FitBit One or a Kindle Fire HD Kids' Edition!) and helping our youth mission trip-goers sell Lumps O' Coal (perfect for stocking stuffers!) to fund our summer adventure to West Virginia with Appalachia Service Project.

Living With a Wild God: Review Haiku

I had high hopes, but
this was too esoteric
for me this summer.

Living With a Wild God: A Nonbeliever's Search for the Truth About Everything by Barbara Ehrenreich. Twelve, 2014, 256 pages.

The Fourteenth Goldfish: Review Haiku

Deeper than it looks
and expertly wrought.
Give that fish a sticker, eh?

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Random House, 2014, 208 pages.

A Prayer Journal: Review Haiku

Remarkable insight
into the spiritual mind
of a genius.

A Prayer Journal by Flannery O'Connor. FSG, 2013, 112 pages.