San Diego Reader: How long do you spend preparing your sermon?Pastor Drew Davis: My sermons are topically based. I usually spend Fridays working on my sermons, but I am daily processing what my sermon will …
April 4, 2024
Joseph O’Brien was born in Freehold, NJ, and lives on a homestead with his wife and nine children in rural Soldiers Grove, WI. He is managing editor of Adoremus Bulletin, a short-story editor for Tuscany Press, Wellesley, Mass., and poetry editor and staff writer (Set 'Em Up Joe and Sheep and Goats) for the San Diego Reader, where his poetry has been published in the past. His poems also have appeared in the Kickapoo Free Press, Dappled Things, America, and Chronicles.
Articles by Joseph O'Brien
North Coast United Methodist wants to be the hands and feet of Christ
Summit Fellowship wants to be a home of belonging
Summit Unitarian Universalist FellowshipContact: 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee 619-562-0833 www.summituuf.orgMembership: 100Pastor: KC Marie Pendell Age: 34Born: Orange County, CAFormation: Chapman University, Orange; Meadville-Lombard Theological School, Chicago Ordination: in processSan Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor KC …
March 22, 2024
A poem for March by Joseph O’Brien
The property line melts into forest, its late winter browns speakAn unknown beast’s pelt; felled oaks hunch over like sleeping bears While beech and birch extend into ugly candid possum hair,And elms and maples muster into …
March 15, 2024
Plymouth Church pastor had a vision
Plymouth ChurchContact: 2717 University Ave., San Diego www.plymouthsd.com/homeMembership: 105 Pastor: Michael GonzalesAge: 45 Born: SangerFormation: University of San Diego; Fordham University, NY Years Ordained: 11 San Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor Michael Gonzales: Plymouth is a place …
March 8, 2024
Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church: sojourning through this world
Pilgrim Progressive Baptist ChurchContact: 4995 A St., San Diego, 619-264-3369, [email protected]: 500 (attendance: 200-300)Pastor: Donnell TownsendAge: 63Born: Tupelo, MSFormation: U.S. Navy, Corpsman; Anderson University, Anderson, INYears Ordained: 19 San Diego Reader: Why did you become a …
February 23, 2024
Lifepoint Church: Embrace, Adopt, and Equip
Lifepoint ChurchContact: 5480 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa (619) 776-9834 www.lifepointsd.comMembership: 100Pastor: Tony Orlando Age: 50Born: La MesaFormation: Bethany College (closed in 2011), Santa Cruz Years Ordained: 17 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …
January 19, 2024
Clairemont Lutheran Church: to experience God while being grounded
Clairemont Lutheran ChurchContact: 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd,San Diego, 858-273-7423 www.clairemontlc.orgMembership: 130 in person/40 onlinePastor: Cyndi JonesAge: 72Born: Terra Haute, INFormation: University of California-San Diego; Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MNYears Ordained: 4.5San …
December 15, 2023
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: restoring hope, empowering community, and growing in grace
St. Mark’s United Methodist ChurchContact: 3502 Clairemont Dr., San Diego www.stmarksumcsd.org 626-714-8097Membership: 350Pastor: Darin ArntsonAge: 40Born: San DiegoFormation: University of California-Irvine; Candler School of Theology, Altanta, GAYears Ordained: 7San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on …
December 1, 2023
A poem for Thanksgiving by Joseph O’Brien
…et nihil mihi deerit.The living room is over-heated, like a gaping kitchen oven-door,Long past the payoff in savory odors resulting from bowls of color.The back parlor launches its many campaigns of hushed conversation.Sunlight glistens farewells …
November 24, 2023