VIEW FROM THE PEW Familiar words about fostering peace, justice and human rights spoken at a recent church service held a crowd enrapt and silent, and later exuberantly noisy when those sentiments were reflected in historical spiritual songs. It was only fitting that we focused on the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. […]
Mary Adamski: These days of December
VIEW FROM THE PEW Oh, happy day, the nativity scene is finally up and we can bask in the glow of tree lights amid the imagery of the birth in Bethlehem. While the music makes our spirits soar, take deep breaths and let the frenzy of shopping lists, mailing deadlines, meeting expectations, maybe sadness or […]
Mary Adamski: Contemplating death and dire things
View from the pew I was looking every which way to avoid the topic of this week. Feeling guilty that I should even talk about giving thanks, I should confess all the times I fail to do that, or mouth thanks but with an insincere or ungrateful heart … and that’s just in the past […]
Mary Adamski: Of bones, memories and the weary pilgrim
VIEW FROM THE PEW Relics have been on my mind lately. I’m in a meditative mood not a morbid one as I think about our human tendency to hold onto a memory, a piece of history by clinging to a thing. It’s not just me reviewing my clutter, our landscape is full of memorials and […]
Mary Adamski: Words of love
VIEW FROM THE PEW The priest at a recent Mass invited us to look away from him during the homily and focus on the oldtime visual aid, a stained glass window depicting the Good Samaritan parable. It’s classic religious art, vibrant colors for the well-dressed good guy and languishing robbery victim on the ground — […]
Mary Adamski: ‘When through the woods and forest glades I wander’
VIEW FROM THE PEW What was that scary movie with those kids running in the forest trying to escape something awful and the trees and bushes seemed ominously reaching out to grab them? I saw it years ago and it replayed as a dream on a recent hot windless night maybe triggered by an overhanging […]
Mary Adamski: All are welcome
VIEW FROM THE PEW It’s a favorite gathering hymn, so we really put our hearts, souls and voices into a robust rendition of “All Are Welcome” at a recent interfaith service. Marty Haugen’s lyrics are about the gathering place “where love can dwell and all can safely live … hearts learn to forgive … built […]
Mary Adamski: It’s not the end of the world
VIEW FROM THE PEW I wanted to get this package in the mail then get home before Mother Nature comes back to slam us with another storm. That was the gist of my counter chat at the post office last week. “You can’t blame Mother Nature,” said the clerk. “Yeah, hard to deny climate change,” […]
Mary Adamski: ‘All generations will call me blessed’
VIEW FROM THE PEW A wonderful time was had by all at a celebration memorializing the death of a woman whose remarkable life was a legacy to Hawaii, to the church and to people who make care of the poor and afflicted their career, vocation or goal in life. We all belted out a melody […]
Mary Adamski: The differences among us
VIEW FROM THE PEW It was a long visit, returning to the midwest roots and stepping back into the embrace of loved ones who are usually in long distance communication, not within reach for hugs. It’s an annual pilgrimage, reentry into our childhood homeland for two “maturing” people who migrated to Hawaii so long ago. […]
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