David R. Bains

Kind of like Jesus and Mary sleeping inside and people partying in the streets. #9lc

That was a hard pivot to 3 ships! #9lc

Yep, I realized that the other day.

"'worship' him, also" :) #9lc

Great drama here with the wise men reading. #9lc

Double Rutter this year! His "Dormi, Jesu! mater ridet" comes up after the next lesson. #9lc

Yes. very good. #9lc

Wise choices on the organ for "slew the little children" #9lc

Nice slow ending to the Lamb. #9lc

Another great reading, love the brightness of "together" #9lc

This is true. #9lc

This one.

This is the proper tune for "It came upon the midnight clear" and I will fight you otherwise. #9lc

Yes, a student.

No one is going to say they could not hear this chorister read! Forceful! #9lc

unusual for such a reflective carol before the first lesson, I think. #9lc

The dean is reading the bidding prayer at a good clip, until he gets to those to remember. #9lc

When I grew up, Protestant clergy could be styled “the Reverend James John” in formal address but in every day direct address and reference were called “Mr. John.”

Why can’t we just do that?
Why must it now be “Pastor John,” “the Reverend John,” or even “Father John”?

1977: why would the bartender in star wars even care if some robots with artificial intelligence came into his bar

2025: ohhh ok

Christian Worship in Birmingham, Alabama: Byzantine, Charismatic, and Much in between By David R. Bains, founder and editor of Magic City Religion What does Christain worship look like in Birmingham, Alabama? In spring 2025, students in my Christian Worship: History and Theology cou…

Check out our new set of essays on worship in Birmingham, AL, by Samford University students magiccityreligion.org/2025/06/16/c...

remember, the blitzkrieg is intended to make you feel like there is nothing you can do about it; that’s the only reason to go forward in this haphazard and sloppy manner all in the first week

and the choice of that strategy tells you they are afraid you *will* do something about it

I'm very grateful to these clergy: Baptist, Disciples, Roman Catholic for joining us at Samford University to discuss the eucharist this morning!

The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’ (Gift Article) Bishop Budde locked eyes with President Trump and made a plea for mercy — and the war over spiritual authority in America was ignited anew.

Very well written article on Bishop Budde and her sermon
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...

The First Sermon The parts you probably didn't hear

You’ve certainly seen the controversy and cruelty over the last three minutes of this sermon.

But watch the entire thing. It is less than 15 minutes. You'll be inspired and strengthened for theological and spiritual resistance.

The First Sermon open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...

I heard the first part of the sermon before the end, that is I listed to the whole thing the first time--but haven't watched the president's reaction. When I was looking at it I was looking at the cathedral's feed, which didn't focus on the president at that point.

I'm looking foward to convening this discussion tomorrow. Thanks to our panelists for agreeing to participate!

1.21.25 Homily by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde YouTube video by Washington National Cathedral

Can you imagine the courage it took to preach this message directly to the president? This is what a follower of Jesus looks like. (Partial transcript below.)

Thanks for compiling these reactions. Given that Budde and changed things back in the summer so that she would preach (unlike for previous services), I was surprised when the Trump team agreed to attend, they should have expected this.
Maybe they did, and welcome the opprotunity to protest.

Do you want to write an explainer on this?

Thanks for the update.