Birthday

Birthdays. The cliche is true - as you age, they do become (seemingly) less and less important.

However, this year's birthday is more prominent, compelling, and motivating. Given the personal events of the past ten days (a hospital stay and emergency gallbladder surgery), I feel a greater urge to cherish family, friends, and the opportunity to work and serve.

So here's to you, birthday - old buddy, old pal! Thanks for reminding me of all I should be grateful for!

Photo credit: stock.xchng

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

The Center for Child & Family Health

In recent months, while freelance writing and working for Duke Divinity School, I've been in prayer for a full-time position as a writer/communicator.

My prayer has been answered in the form of a transition within Duke - from the Divinity School to the Center for Child & Family Health, a collaborative endeavor of Duke, UNC, and NCCU. CCFH provides trauma treatment and prevention services to local children and families. I have been appointed as the annual giving officer for the center, coordinating its print media pieces, annual giving materials, foundation proposals, and web content. I practice a different kind of writing now - my craft is focused on drawing awareness to local children and families who have been experienced trauma, and cultivating resources for their journey of healing.

Transitions are difficult: beginning new adventures and feeling the anxiousness of new challenges. Further along, that anxiety seems minimal compared to the great joy we found (or that found us!) in the new journey.

http://www.ccfhnc.org/

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return"

An Ash Wednesday reflection by Dr. Jason Byassee, Executive Director, Faith & Leadership

http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/the-humility-dust

© 2008 J. Dana Trent

Stingy Givers

The massive economic crises of recent months have led to drastic cuts in the American family budget. These crises are sure to have financial implications on what is, according to Christian Smith, Michael Emerson, and Patricia Snell, already less-than-generous church giving.

To read a review of Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money, by Christian Smith and Michael O. Emerson, with Patricia Snell, click here

Image credit: http://www.amazon.com/Passing-Plate-American-Christians-Money/dp/0195337115

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

Christ in Glory

For artist Kathryn Carrington, creating an icon is more prayer than painting. “The icon is my prayer,” says Carrington, who was commissioned by the Divinity School to create “Christ in Glory” for its new worship space. “It’s all about gazing and growing.”

To read more about this icon in the latest issue of Divinity magazine, click here.

Photo: "Christ in Glory", 2008, written by Kathryn Carrington, Divinity magazine, Spring 2009, Volume 8, Number 2

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

Faith and Leadership

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity recently launched its website Faith & Leadership . The site features profiles in leadership, news of the day, opinion pieces, sermons, and general resources on the topic. I have yet to browse through the entire site, but I find my initial visits fascinating. This is a topic that current church leaders will embrace and access, and that I believe the future generation of theologians/church leaders will find helpful as well. What do you make of the intersection of faith and leadership? What is "Christian about Christian leadership?"

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

I Wish You Love

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all
When snowflakes fall
I wish you love

"I Wish You Love" is a popular love song featured in many films and covered by numerous artists throughout the decades. The music was originally written by Leo Chauliac, with French lyrics under the title "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?" by Charles Tenet. The English lyrics were written by Albert A. Beach, and while they are not a translation of the French, both the English and French poetry capture the nostalgia of love. Though typically considered a 'break-up song' - "I Wish You Love" is a delightful way to usher in the New Year and a gentle snow storm - reminding us of romance and hope during the coldest days of the calendar.

I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss
But more than this
I wish you love

And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health
And more than wealth
I wish you love

Lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/

Photo: a curve on a North Carolina mountain road - reminding us of life's twists and turns. We never know what surprises will unfold on the road ahead. Photo credit: http://www.gotocarolina.com/

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

Doubt

Update:
Doubt has been nominated for five academy awards, including best actress (Meryl Streep) and best adapted screenplay.

John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize winning play comes to life on the big screen in the film Doubt. Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a Roman Catholic priest in the Bronx, is confronted by Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), a nun determined to bring to light Flynn’s possible indiscretions with a young male student. Sister Aloysius is convinced of an inappropriate relationship between the priest and the boy, though her character foil, Sister James (Amy Adams) is not. The result: an odd dramatic triangle between Flynn, Aloysius, and James in which the viewer easily feels the push and pull of guilt and innocence, doubt and certainty, confession and concealment. One leaves the theatre utterly not convinced of anything - which is, after all, the point.

http://www.doubt-themovie.com/

© 2009 J. Dana Trent

Facebook Dropout

Facebook has become so popular in American culture that the term is now used as a noun AND a verb.

I confess: I'm a Facebook dropout. I closed my account a few weeks ago, when the energy it took to manage it became overwhelming. Sure, I could have limited my Facebook time; but it seemed seemed important (and addictive?) to to receive my friends' frequent status/photo/profile updates.

I don't miss the online social network, save for keeping in touch with a few cherished friends I haven't seen since high school. Now, I contact them via email, telephone/cell phone, and there's always the ancient sentimental virtue of letter writing! (Gaze at Fragonard's portrait of a glowing young girl with a love letter, and it will inspire you to rediscover the lost practice)

For now, I'll continue my Facebook-free journey along with several friends who have also become recent dropouts ... support group, anyone?

NB: Dean of Duke Divinity School L. Gregory Jones wrote an insightful piece on Facebook friends for The Christian Century.
http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=4964

Photo: The Love Letter, by Fragonard, c. 1770, oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
Photo credit: http://www.abcgallery.com/

© 2009 J. Dana Trent