No doubt in the next few weeks appeals for prayer will increase across this nation and throughout this world for the local, state and national elections in November. And rightly so! The extent of insults, dehumanizing, disrespectful, erroneous and vitriolic expressions and accusations being made by various candidates against their opponents are indicative of ungodly […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Antiracism work and community building ground us in love
In August, we wrote a column here about how the killing of Sonya Massey is one of countless instances of violence that Black communities have experienced for centuries. We referenced the brutal history of policing which has included enforcing slave codes, lynchings, and assaulting peaceful civil rights protesters with water cannons and dogs. The murder […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Whistling in church: Finding the joy in religion
As I (slowly) make progress in writing a memoir, I find that one of the perks is that little nuggets of writer’s gold sometimes bob to the surface as I sift through the stream of memory. Recently, I found one that speaks to joy: I was raised in the Protestant Christian tradition and, as in […]
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Sound the ram’s horn on our feast day
On the religious calendar used in the Jewish community to determine when holidays are to be celebrated or observed, we are currently in the month of Elul, the last month of the calendar year. Rosh Hashanah, the New Year holiday, will be observed this year on Wednesday evening, Oct. 2, and Thursday and Friday, Oct. […]
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UIS alumni and community invited to celebrate homecoming
As summer winds down and the excitement of a new academic year begins, there’s an unmistakable energy at the University of Illinois Springfield. It’s that time of year again—homecoming! Whether you’re a proud graduate, a loyal fan of the Prairie Stars or a member of the Springfield community, I’m excited to invite you to celebrate […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Being “doers of the word”
Years ago, a brother Dominican claimed Aristotle was supposed to have said, “Laughter is the mind’s ascent to truth.” I take his word for it, because I’ve never been able to find proof. But it accords with my experience. When a laugh reverberates through me without warning, something has rung the bell of truth. This […]
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Community is in our name
Lincoln Land Community College is known for its transfer degrees and its workforce and health care training, but do you know about all the other classes, workshops and learning opportunities designed for ages ranging from 5 to 105? As our name suggests, the LLCC Community Education Department is here to serve the community. These classes […]
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Route 66 Festival to be held downtown Sept. 27-29
Route 66 Mother Road FestivalDowntown SpringfieldFriday, Sept. 27, 6-10 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The 23rd Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, presented by Recon Techs of Springfield, will include its annual cruise through the city, live music, celebrity guests and the downtown show of classic cars. Some […]
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Classic cars will be on display at vehicle show
Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle ShowSaturday, Sept. 7Edwards and College streets10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is highlighting the 60th anniversary of the iconic 1964 Ford Mustang at its annual Vehicle Show. The show will take place at the corner of Edwards and College streets in downtown Springfield, near the State Capitol, […]
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Solving homelessness requires person-specific, real-time data
If you talk to 10 different people about the state of homelessness in Springfield, you are likely to get 10 different answers. There are many reasons for this. Homelessness is complex and can be difficult to clearly define. Cultural assumptions around homelessness often lead to broad generalizations about people and their housing status and publicly […]
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Dealing with the forbidden fruit
There is a proclivity in the mind of man to “taste the forbidden fruit!” Garden of Eden or not, there is something that lures, challenges, even dares some people to seek, desire and even cling to that which is forbidden. I submit that this proclivity has its roots in the essence of the Garden of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Honoring Sonya Massey
I did not know Sonya Massey. But I do know this about her: She should be living among us, loving her family, complaining about the heat, singing along with her favorite music, stretching a dollar, laughing at life’s absurdities and crying over its injustices. She should be savoring her joys and struggling with her fears, […]
