No, the next line isn’t “walk into a bar!” although creating such a joke might be an interesting challenge. What, then, is the relationship between these three? They each represent the kinds of relationships sociologists call “weak ties.” That is, the kind of casual relationships that don’t generally lead to strong emotional bonds, although they […]
Nancy Flood-Golembeck
Nancy Flood-Golembeck is a retired teacher and longtime member of the Baha’i faith. In addition to serving on the local Baha’i governing body, she is currently writing a memoir.
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
A summer of hope and action
This summer, as tensions rise along with the temperature and the persistent deep divisions in our country give rise to a sense of hopelessness in some quarters, there are those bringing renewed hope and purpose across this land. Young Baha’is, along with their friends from numerous faith traditions, backgrounds and ethnicities, are spending their school […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
A common endeavor
As the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding approaches, rather than celebratory peals, millions of Americans will be hearing alarm bells ringing as they witness the daily erosion of traditional American ideals such as freedom, justice and equality. Of course, this country has never fully lived up to these ideals; even so, they have served […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The Baha’i festival of Ridvan
The Baha’i Festival of Ridvan (pronounced Rez-vahn) is the holiest season of the Baha’i year. Beginning at sunset on April 20 and ending at sunset May 2, this 12-day period commemorates the time in 1863, when Baha’u’llah sojourned along with family and followers in the Najibiyyih Garden, situated on an island in the Tigris River. […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The promise of one world
We all know what a time waster surfing the internet can be yet, occasionally, something pops up which illustrates a truth, simply but profoundly. Sometime during the past year, I came upon such a story. It goes something like this. Somewhere in the U.S., a middle-aged man is standing in the checkout line at a […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The greatness of a nation
It is ironic and more than a bit frightening that in this Black History Month, 2026, those who claim to want to “make America great” are actively working to erase the numerous contributions made to this country by people of color and to downplay the enduring effects of slavery. A nation does not achieve greatness […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
In praise of single women
I hope the title of this column makes at least a few people do a double take! It isn’t every day, after all, that you hear words of praise directed at single women. Perhaps you’re one of those who recently viewed that perennial holiday favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. If so, you’ll recall the scene […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The gift of silence
Knowing my own faults and foibles, I try to be tolerant of such things in others-even those who think that Brussels sprouts are actually edible or who don’t like animals! There is one habit I find difficult to understand, though: so many people seem to have an aversion to silence. More than one person has […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Of life, purpose and Jane Goodall
Recently I came across a video clip of Dr. Jane Goodall, filmed near the end of her long, beautiful life on this planet. She spoke, of course, about the fact that we cannot separate ourselves from nature but also spoke movingly about each of us having a purpose and how our actions make a difference. […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
What if we truly dared to love?
Just when we think the divisions in this country can’t get any worse, they do. Overnight, the cracks in our society become crevasses, the crevasses, chasms. We are in danger of splintering into innumerable pieces which can never fit together again. Aside from being appalled, how is a person of faith to deal with this […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The midnight sighing of the poor
Lately, the phrase I’ve chosen as the title of this column, “The midnight sighing of the poor,” has been running through my mind, especially when I hear of planned government cuts to programs designed to benefit those who are living at or below poverty level. This phrase is part of a longer Baha’i quote which […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Humility: The endangered virtue
Country music is not my favorite genre. However, there is one country song that never fails to bring a smile to my face each time I hear it. That song, “(Always Stay) Humble and Kind,” is sung by Tim McGraw but it was written by Lori McKenna, a mother of five, and it’s easy to […]
