No doubt you’ve seen the statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in December 2020 that an estimated 14 million adults living in rental housing were behind on their rent. An additional 11.8 million adults lived in households that could not keep up…
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What does it mean for a congregation — particularly a predominantly white congregation — to participate in the work of racial justice? In this week’s Weekly, we begin with the stories of three congregations that are excavating their pasts and finding…
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Responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been taxing for congregational leaders. Even in December as many congregants were able to take vacation from work responsibilities, many clergy and other ministry leaders found ourselves with more work than…
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For some Alban readers, December 31 will mark the end of their full-time professional ministries. January 1 will bring the gift of retirement, even if not the end of their ministries. In this week’s Weekly, we consider what ministry can…
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Even with dire warnings about what the next few months of the pandemic will bring and new restrictions in place around the US, it is hard not to feel some hope when watching the video of Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old woman…
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Faith communities play a vital role in responding to the mental health crises that impact our communities. This was true before the COVID pandemic, but it is especially true now. In this week’s Weekly, we begin with an article by…
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Consider this Weekly an invitation to the inner work of Advent. Even in 2020, it’s the season’s outer work that dominates many congregational leaders’ calendars. There’s worship to plan, pageants to adapt to Zoom, virtual holiday parties, Christmas Eve online…
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This week: a special double edition of the Weekly. First, we take a look at issues in staff supervision, issues that have been made both more challenging and more significant as the pandemic continues. Susan Beaumont of the Congregational Consulting…
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Facing the past can be difficult personally and congregationally. It’s hard work to acknowledge both what we’ve done and what we’ve failed to do, to paraphase the Book of Common Prayer. Yet, as our contributors this week remind us, without engaging…
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While Americans have been cautioned that the results of the 2020 election may not be known for some time after Election Day, pastors and other congregational leaders will have to say something next weekend to the faithful who assemble either…
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