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Jennifer L. Holberg

The Autumn Heart

Yesterday, Mary Oliver released a new collected edition of her work, aptly titled Devotions. I think often of Oliver’s poems–contemporary psalms as surely as they

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The demands of a small god

September 24-30 marks Banned Book Week, something established to remind folks that threats to intellectual freedom are real and ongoing, that the impulse to censor

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On not speaking for God

Of late, the Denise Levertov’s poem, “The Tide,” has been coming to me as I try to process the most recent bombardment of the bad.

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ICYMI, Summer 2017 edition

I’m still in a bit of denial that school starts next week. Not in such denial that I haven’t finished my syllabi and first day

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This Space Intentionally Left Blank

I’ve given my professional life to words. I believe deeply in their significance and their power. And in the theological imperative to use them carefully,

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Here’s Mud in Your Eye

A couple of weeks ago, I got to be the storyteller at the event formerly known as Vacation Bible School, now known by the far

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Prayers at 200

I’m actually writing this on Tuesday, 18 July–the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. The date is being commemorated the world over by all lovers of

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Once Was

I’ve noticed in some meetings I’ve been in of late that “mapping” seems to one of the metaphors of the moment. As in: “we need

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Claiming the “Bastardes”

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.[1] A bit cheeky, perhaps a little rebellious. Definitely fun to say (And I’ve read

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