Gathered and Scattered Vol. #5
Minor Feelings, Other Substack(s), American Religion Journal, Cranberry Salsa, Photo(s) of the week
In Gathered and Scattered, I’ll hopefully post “shorter” things: what I’m gathering, whether by reading or scrolling or over hearing or glimpsing or eating here and there. I’ll scatter seeds of thoughts and projects, as well as the marginalia of (my) life, which often ends up being the core, or connected to the core, of what I am trying to get at these days, always the result of a kind of meandering around. Maybe it’ll spark conversation and other writing (beyond/not me). So these offerings and highlightings will show up on Fridays, and I’d love to hear what you’re learning, writing, and discovering, too.
The poem is a net that catches the stutters, the hesitations, rather than the perfectly formed phrase. Attention to silence is itself an interrogation. ~ Cathy Park Hong, Minor Feelings
I’m going back to so many books I’ve read because I’ll go through a day, and hear or read or see something and it’ll remind me of something I read somewhere so I’ll spend a day or two looking for it, and then find it, and then end up reading it all again. Minor Feelings has so much in it though not only on race … but everything around race—I was particularly struck by what she does with language.
…Anyways, well, we’re basically here. Friday before Christmas: stockings are hung, presents are wrapped, sermons and services are … TBD.
Substack(s) that I’m Checking Out
I’m 45. It’s a strange season with so much happening to my body now (sorry, TMI, maybe), and just generally realizing that it’s all so very different, so I love reading Oldster for all the reminders and conversations about what it means to “travel through time in a human body—*at every phase of life.*”
Traces from the Lectionary
I shared some of what I’ve been sitting with in preparation for Sunday’s marathon of services between Advent 4 and Christmas Eve earlier this week on Monday. Struggling a little this year …
American Religion Journal
For almost 2 years for a graduate assistantship I was the managing editor of the American Religion journal in its first two years. I LOVED IT. It was amazing to get a behind-the-scenes look at academic publishing with its review processes, etc. and then think about editing, citations, format, etc. (#nerdalert: I basically memorized certain sections of the Chicago Manual of Style). I relished reading some of the (new) work coming out: what people were talking about and how they were shaping the study of religion. Imam Wanted is one of the most recent essays, and it’s fantastic—looking at resumes of imams and what they might suggest at the very least/most about how the secular and religious are entangled in interesting ways. A lot of crossover, of course, for many religious communities, and being a clergy person serving/working at a church right now this was right about my alley. So much more in this incredible resource—website and academic journal!
Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Our annual staff Christmas Party/White Elephant is my 3rd favorite meal of the year (after Thanksgiving and New Year’s) because of Val’s salad (the wife of our custodial staff person) and the staff always makes such delicious food. One favorite dish is Miss’ cranberry salsa (she also makes an amazing toffee brittle that if I blink I’ve eaten 13 pieces).
Tortilla Chips
12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup sugar
2 jalapeños, ribs and seeds removed, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup green onions, finely sliced
1 tablespoon orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
Chop cranberries – Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until they are diced into small pieces. Don’t puree them. You want to have some little pieces of cranberries to maintain that salsa texture.
Sugar cranberries – Sprinkle cranberries with sugar and stir together.
Add remaining ingredients – Add finely diced jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir until fully mixed.
Let salsa sit – Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.
Photo(s) of the Week:
Friends, sending my very best during this holiday season. May you and yours be filled with peace and comfort.