Dear Saints in Santa Fe, and other far-off places,  Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, who calls us to turn toward a new realm of justice, compassion, and nonviolence, which is as close as your hand (Mark 1:15).  “There are 2400 members in this church and 3,000 opinions.” These are the first words I remember hearing as I began my ministry some forty years ago, spoken by the Senior Pastor as I arrived fresh from seminary.  About the same time my pastor father gave me advice I can’t seem to shake: “My main job in ministry has been to keep the saints from killing each other.”  I still chuckle at this one.

Dear Saints in Santa Fe, and other far-off places,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings set people free.

Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?  Can you tell me where he’s gone?

Most likely you have already started singing the tune, moving through the verses that mournfully and wistfully sing of Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy, the latter three assassinated within a span of 4 ½ years.

A flood of emotion washes over me and my eyes well up with tears every time I hear it.  Every time.  ...