Manhattan On a bad day you can’t see anything Beyond the Hudson and Jersey side of things: The grey arroyos of steel, concrete, and glass Seem brittle as paper houses in Japan. On a good …
September 10, 2021
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Stories by Joseph O'Brien
September 11, 2001
Is your God framed by Fyodor Dostoevsky or C.S. Lewis?
Faith Presbyterian Church Contact: 5075 Campanile Drive, San Diego; 619-582-8480 www.faithchurchsandiego.org Membership: 175 Neighborhood: College Area Pastor: Sam Codington Age: 34 Born: Clinton, SC Formation: University of South Carolina; Columbia International University, Columbia, SC; Fuller …
September 3, 2021
The inspiration of St. John Vianney at Church of the Resurrection Parish
Church of the Resurrection Parish Contact: 1445 Conway Drive, Escondido 760-747-2322 www.resurrectionchurch.org Membership: 3,000+ families Neighborhood: North County Pastor: Father Eduardo Bernardino Age: 60 Born: Bulacan Province, Philippines Formation: Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila; Our …
August 20, 2021
Trinity Fellowship: making the invisible God visible
Trinity Fellowship Church Contact: 4110 Palm Ave., San Diego 619-690-5286 www.trinityfellowshipcrc.com Membership: 30 Neighborhood: South Bay Pastor: Patrick Guarracino Age: 60 Born: North Bergen, NJ Formation: Rutgers University, Newark; Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Years Ordained: …
August 6, 2021
Temple Emanu-El: a wonderful encounter with a homeless man
Temple Emanu-El Contact: 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego 619-286-2555 www.teesd.org Membership: 475 Rabbi: Devorah Marcus Age: 44 Born: Los Angeles Formation: Bradley University, Peoria, IL; Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles. Years Ordained: …
July 23, 2021
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran: “Extending God’s welcome to all we meet along the way.”
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Contact: 10842 Fury Lane, La Mesa 619-670-7656 www.svlc.org Membership: 200 Pastor: Marcus Lohrmann Age: 33 Born: Walla Walla, WA Formation: Valparaiso University, IN; University of Chicago Divinity School; Lutheran …
July 9, 2021
A Tom Clancy calling
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Contact: 204 S Freeman St., Oceanside, CA 760-930-1270 holycrosscarlsbad.org Membership: 60 Neighborhood: Oceanside Pastor: Father Richard Hogue Age: 34 Born: Chicago Formation: Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN; Church Divinity School of the …
June 25, 2021
Lakeside Community Presbyterian: Christ, connection and community
Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church Contact: 9908 Channel Road, Lakeside 619-443-1021 www.lakesidepc.org Membership: 114 Pastor: Timothy Avazian Age: 62 Born: Kingsburg Formation: Azusa Pacific University; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena Years Ordained: 27 San Diego Reader: What …
June 11, 2021
Chula Vista Presbyterian: to know Christ and make him known
Chula Vista Presbyterian Church Contact: 940 Hilltop Dr., Chula Vista 619-426-2211 www.chulavistapres.org Membership: 145 Pastor: Emily McColl Age: 64 Born: Boulder, CO Formation: Stanford University; Princeton Theological Seminary-Princeton University, NJ Years Ordained: 25 San Diego …
May 28, 2021
Coffee shop sermon
Crossroads Christian Reformed Church Contact: 2406 North Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, 760-744-4673, crossroadscrc.com Membership: 140 Pastor: Jeff Kempton Age: 44 Born: San Diego Formation: University of California-Santa Barbara; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena Years …
May 14, 2021
Ethnos: the Greek word for “nations”
Ethnos Community Church Contact: 3950 Berino Court, San Diego 858-46-8329 www.ethnos.us Neighborhood: University City Membership: 100 Pastor: Scott Eng Age: 39 Born: Anaheim Formation: University of California-Berkley; Golden Gate Baptist Seminary (now Gateway Seminary), Ontario, …
April 30, 2021
April: “Roots”
After Jamie Wyeth Whan that April with his showres soote The droughte of March hath perced to the roote... —Chaucer Down a ravine, the first fool flush of spring Is always brown. The ice-carbuncled ground …
April 29, 2021
The healthy doubt of Park Hill Church
Park Hill Church Contact: 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego www.parkhillsd.church Membership: 500 Neighborhood: Point Loma Pastor: Evan Wickham Age: 39 Born: San Diego Formation: Trinity College of the Bible, IN; Western Seminary, Portland, OR Years …
April 16, 2021
Community Congregational: Chula Vista's 230-year-old church
Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista Contact: 276 F Street, Chula Vista, 619-422-9263, chulavistachurch.com Neighborhood: Chula Vista Membership: 187 Pastor: Elizabeth Aguilar Age: 53 Born: Chicago Formation: North Park University, Chicago; Andover Newton Theological School, …
April 2, 2021
The Center: multilingual and multicultural
The Center Contact: 1305 Deodar Road, Escondido 760-707-6681 www.centernc.com Membership: 70 Neighborhood: Escondido Pastor: Mike Mieritz Age: 52 Born: West Allis, WI Formation: Community College of the Air Force, Birmingham, AL; Vision International University, Ramona …
March 19, 2021
Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov brought many to the Orthodox Church
St. Anthony the Great Antiochian Orthodox Church Contact: 2825 Merton Ave, San Diego 858-268-4100 www.st-anthony.org Membership: 520 (200 families) Neighborhood: Linda Vista Pastor: Father John Kent Reimann Age: 63 Born: Downey, ID Formation: University of …
February 12, 2021
Trinity Episcopal: rising to the challenge
Trinity Episcopal Church Contact: 845 Chestnut St., Escondido 760-743-1629 www.trinityescondido.org Membership: 200 Neighborhood: Escondido Pastor: Rector Meg Decker Age: 58 Born: Reno, NV Formation: University of Nevada-Reno; Graduate Theological Union-Church Divinity School of the Pacific, …
January 29, 2021
The Parochial and Plain Sermons of Cardinal John Henry Newman
Cardinal John Henry Newman What mind of man can imagine the love which the Eternal Father bears towards the Only Begotten Son? It has been from everlasting, and it is infinite; so great is it …
January 22, 2021
Northminster Presbyterian: to change our hearts
Northminster Presbyterian Church Contact: 4324 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego (858) 490-3995 https://northminstersandiego.squarespace.com Neighborhood: Claremont Membership: 90; 60-75 per week on Zoom (since COVID shutdown) Pastor: Jay Shirley Age: 66 Born: Corpus Christi, TX Formation: …
January 15, 2021
Ippen: Ji-shu Buddhism founder who appealed to common folk of Japan
Ippen Devoutly adore the glory of God, Do not Ignore the original one’s virtue. Devoutly revere the Buddha, the Law, and the Priesthood, Do not forget the power of communion. Devoutly practice the invocation, Do …
January 8, 2021
Oceanside Sanctuary: learning to become followers of Christ
Oceanside Sanctuary Contact: 204 S Freeman St., Oceanside 760-722-8522 www.oceansidesanctuary.org Membership: 200 Neighborhood: Oceanside Pastor: Jason Coker Age: 49 Born: San Bernardino Formation: Vineyard Institute (www.vineyardinstitute.org/usa); Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena. Years Ordained: 19 San Diego …
January 1, 2021
Resolutions of the Reader’s poetry editor
-For Cecilia A spirited play for words, like a December wind punching your breath Back down through your esophagus; a resolute sense of commitment Like the bold disregard maple, chicory, and sumac pay at summer’s …
December 31, 2020
Augustus Pugin: architect of the Palace of Westminster
Augustus Pugin The greatest privilege possessed by man is to be allowed, while on earth, to contribute to the glory of God: a man who builds a church draws down a blessing on himself both …
December 25, 2020
Book of Deuteronomy: love everyone to life
Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church Contact: 2128 Chatsworth Boulevard, San Diego 619-223-1633 www.pointlomachurch.org Membership: 965 Pastor: Karla Shaw Age: 45 Born: Bismarck, North Dakota Formation: Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena Years Ordained: …
December 18, 2020
Mongaku: strident defender of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism
Mongaku Needless to say, Buddhism, like other religions, helps to extirpate evil and to bring good fortune. Throughout its history in three countries, there are records of answers to prayer and of benefits received. If …
December 11, 2020
Finding connections between art and faith in Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water
Westminster Presbyterian Church Contact: 3598 Talbot St, San Diego 619-223-3193 www.westminstersd.org Membership: 100 Pastor: Megan Cochran Neighborhood: Point Loma Age: 34 Born: Albert Lea, MN Formation: Macalester College, St. Paul, MN; McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago …
December 4, 2020
Paramahansa Yogananda style
Self Realization Fellowship of San Diego Contact: 3072 1st Ave., San Diego 619-295-0170 www.sandiegotemple.org Neighborhood: Bankers Hill Minister: Brother Tyagananda. Members: 150-200 guests per Sunday service (9 a.m. and 11 a.m.) Age: 57 Born: Ascoli …
November 20, 2020
Yukai: upholding the purity of Shingon teachings
Yukai The principle of this sect was to consider the way of men and women, yin and yang, to be the secret art of obtaining Buddhahood in this flesh, and the only means of obtaining …
November 13, 2020
San Diego New Life: real people with real needs
San Diego New Life Contact: 730 Concepcion Ave., Spring Valley www.sandiegonewlife.org 619-829-1193 Membership: 150 Neighborhood: Spring Valley Pastor: Jack Sheets Age: 67 Born: Gardner, KS Formation: Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma; San Diego International …
November 6, 2020
George Duncombe Cox: contemporary of John Keats
George Duncombe Cox The sound of evening music Vibrates along the mind, And strikes a chord of feeling Too sweet to be defined. When, with the moonlight rising, The nightingale’s sweet voice, We doubt, and …
October 30, 2020
The “radical inclusiveness” of an openly LBGTQ+ pastor
Mission Hills United Methodist Church Contact: 4044 Lark St, San Diego 619-296-1243 www.missionhillsumc.org Membership: 50 Neighborhood: Mission Hills Pastor: Bailey Brawner Age: 26 Born: Anchorage, AK Formation: University of Montana-Western, Dillon, MT; Boston University School …
October 23, 2020
Emperor Shirakawa offers a prayer to Hachiman
Emperor Shirikawa Of the six fundamental disciplines, the observance of the commandments is considered the most important; of the ten commandments, the prohibition on the taking of life is the prime one. All living creatures …
October 16, 2020
Jesus Christ drive-thru
Canyon Springs Church Contact: 9700 Avenue of Nations, San Diego 858-746-9775 www.canyonsprings.org Membership: 500 Pastor: Jack Hawkins Neighborhood: Scripps Ranch Age: 57 Born: Newport Beach Formation: Biola University, Talbot School of Theology-Biola University, La Mirada …
October 9, 2020
John Hay: served in government alongside Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley
John Hay There are two mountains hallowed By majesty sublime, Which rear their crests unconquered Above the floods of Time. Uncounted generations Have gazed on them with awe,-- The mountain of the Gospel, The mountain …
October 2, 2020
Jerry Andrews preaches the beauty of the savior
First Presbyterian Church of San Diego Contact: 320 Date Street, San Diego 619-232-7513 www.fpcsd.org Membership: 430 Pastor: Jerry Andrews Age: 67 Born: Detroit, MI Formation: Detroit Bible College (William Tyndale College); Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, …
September 25, 2020
Kukai: founder of the “mantra” school of Buddhism
Kukai From the deep, dim, most distant past, A thousand thousand tomes we hold Of sacred texts and learned lore Profound, abstruse, obscure and dark, Teachings diverse and manifold — Who can encompass such a …
September 18, 2020
The teachings of Brother Lawrence
Sweetwater Community Church Contact: 5305 Sweetwater Rd, Bonita 619-479-8208 Facebook Page Membership: 80 Pastor: Chris Hughes Age: 55 Born: Brooklyn, NY Formation: San Diego State University; Wesley Seminary-Indiana Wesleyan University, Indianapolis, IN. Years Ordained: 15 …
September 11, 2020
Margaret Mother of God: Renowned Dominican who helped the poor
Margaret Mary Hallahan (Margaret of the Mother of God, OP) “To use a book all the time of meditation is very idle. You will never attain any degree of union with God unless you practice …
September 4, 2020
Benedict XIV’s Spe Salvi treatment
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Contact: 13541 Stoney Creek Rd., San Diego 858-484-1070 www.olmcsandiego.org Membership: 2,800 (pre-COVID 3,400) Pastor: Father Anthony Saroki Age: 46 Born: Royal Oak, MI Formation: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; University of …
August 28, 2020
Shawn Mitchell: moved by a Youth for Christ group singing at the Civic Theater
New Venture Grace Church Contact: 4000 Mystra Dr., Oceanside 760-721-7777 www.newventuregrace.com Membership: 3,000 (Post-COVID, 700) Pastor: Shawn Mitchell Age: 66 Born: San Diego Formation: Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma; Bethel Seminary, San Diego; Church …
August 14, 2020
Nicholas Wiseman: a great influence on John Henry Newman
Nicholas Wiseman It would of course be impossible to bring every branch of the natural sciences so completely into contact with sacred studies as these whereof we have treated nor can it be necessary to …
August 7, 2020
Communion on the hood of a Humvee
Christ Church (Episcopalian) of Coronado Contact: 1114 9th St., Coronado 619-435-4561 www.christchurchcoronado.org Neighborhood: Coronado Membership: 200 Pastor: Father Michael Tinnon Age: 70 Born: Lexington, KY Formation: University of Kentucky, Lexington; Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY …
July 31, 2020
Buddhism’s high regard for the Suvarnaprabhasa Sutra
The Suvarnaprabhasa Sutra (“The Golden Light Sutra”) Then Buddha declared to the Four Deva Kings: “Fitting is it indeed that you Four Kings should thus defend the holy writings. In the past I practiced bitter …
July 24, 2020
The road to Capernaum
Grace Church of San Diego Contact: 2716 Madison Ave, San Diego 619-280-1495 www.gracesd.com Attendance: 1,200 Interim Lead Pastor: Nolan Lee Age: 35 Born: Niwot, CO Formation: University of Colorado, Boulder, CO San Diego Reader: How …
July 17, 2020
John Harris: editor of one of the first English dictionaries
John Harris Tho’ would Men but studiously apply themselves to consider of, would they carefully and impartially examine into, and would they but seriously make use of those Means that God hath graciously given Mankind, …
July 10, 2020
Sanctified and glorified at Encanto Southern Baptist Church
Encanto Southern Baptist Church Contact: 6020 Akins Ave, San Diego 619-264-8641 www.encantosbc.com Membership: 300 Pastor: Robert Pope Age: 69 Born: Rocky Mount, NC Formation: University of District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.; University of Phoenix, Phoenix, …
July 3, 2020
The Nihon Shoki: the greatest value to historians and archeologists
The Nihon Shoki Izanagi and Izanami [i.e. “the divine primal pair”] stood on the floating bridge of Heaven, and held counsel together, saying: “Is there not a country beneath?” Thereupon they thrust down the jewel-spear …
June 26, 2020
In Memoriam: Paul Zimmer
In Memoriam: Paul Zimmer I. The Visit For Paul and Suzanne Zimmer and Cele Wolf With sunlight pouring through the windows, March Retreats and winter’s windy shadows shake The shadows’ fruit from changing light. The …
June 25, 2020
Maria Santa Cruz: Heaven is a promised place
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Contact: 4011 Ohio St, San Diego 619-283-5936 www.oursaviorslutheransd.org Membership: 100 Pastor: Maria Santa Cruz Age: 60 Born: Guadalajara, Mexico Formation: Pacific Lutheran Theology Seminary, Berkeley Years Ordained: 20 San Diego Reader: …
June 19, 2020
George Spencer: pious relative to Winston Churchill and Princess Diana
Ignatius of St. Paul (George Spencer) What right then, thought I, had Luther and his companions to set themselves against the united voice of the Church? I saw that he rebelled against the authority of …
June 12, 2020