The Rev. Sharron R. Blezard For the last 15 years, SOLI’s web pages have been graced with the presence of a gifted writer. Sharron Blezard has written hundreds of Lectionary Reflections, but also shared stories of her own musings and experimentation with simple living. SOLI is sad to share the news that Sharron died on […]
Oregon and Washington are blistering under consecutive days of 100-plus-degree heat. Scientists say it’s the latest deadly effect of climate-change. A chilling post by Scientific American. (Photo: Roberto Rizzato, Creative Commons)
We’ve been cooped up in the house all winter and now that spring is here many of us are eager to get out. Harvard Medical School reports that studies reveal many tangible benefits of being outdoors. What are you waiting for? (Photo: Mikko Koponen, Creative Commons)
Where can you find the most generous Christians in the United States, whose Jesus’ followers give an average of 2.5 percent of incomeAnd, generally speaking, who are they, anyway? The answers revealed in this Christianity Today article may just surprise you. (Photo by Lisafx, via Bigstock.com)
Get ready, people of earth. Climate change is real, and unless you are prepared you will suffer. That was the lesson from February’s cold snap that paralyzed the energy delivery systems of Texas. The state endured a similar storm in 2010 but failed to take precautions for “next time.” From Time. (Photo: Marco Verch, Creative […]
For this stewardship leader, being asked to give an enormous donation helped her understand the dynamics and importance of what development professionals call, “making the ask.” From the Lake Institute for Faith & Giving. ( Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels)
The global pandemic has caused plenty of stress in our churches, and not the least of these is a downturn in giving. Instead of fretting, church leaders should get busy, says consultant Margaret Marcuson, in this essay from Luther Seminary. (Photo: Images of Money, Creative Commons)
Some provisions of the 2020 CARES Act have been extended or modified for 2021, with significant implications for churches and other nonprofits that rely on philanthropy. This handy resource lists some of the most important provisions and provides links for those who want to get more detailed information. From the ELCA Foundation.
Even with recycling efforts over the last two decades, one in three children globally suffers from lead poisoning, according to a recent report from Unicef and the NGO Pure Earth. Safe recycling of used batteries is imperative to lower this number and keep soil and bodies from poisoning. (Image: John Seb Barber, Creative Commons License)
You can’t pay all the volunteer leaders in your church for the work they put into your congregation, and you can’t possibly run the church without them. But there are some really terrific ways to reward your folks that won’t tax your budget at all, Carey Nieuwhof explains. (Photo: ThinkPanama, Creative Commons)
