As we move into the long-awaited summer months after a tedious and despairing New-England winter, I wanted to give you, my readers, an update on projects, plans and other asides.
First, I want to thank those of you who have continued to read and be a part of my writing world here on Substack. At every stage of my writing life, new lessons are learned and I continue to adapt, even at my age. I have come to the place where I understand that not every impulse to share something actually needs to be written down and published for all to see. For me, of late, many such impulses more frequently get consigned to the region of my mind labeled, Oh, never mind. It is a temptation of writers, I believe, to write about everything, including silly things. (I am weary of airport/flight-delay updates.) It is healthier simply to let some things go and not foist upon wearied readers mundane matters that afflict us at varying points on any given day. I understand that on social media platforms, a person is obliged to keep feeding the beast. But I have accepted an alternative path that takes the attitude that, if the beast must go hungry now and then, so be it. I trust the reader to prefer quality over quantity.
In any case, to those who’ve continued to read my posts—despite intermittent pauses—I am grateful. 🙏
👉 PROJECTS UPCOMING 👈
BOOK ON MISTER ROGERS IS READY TO GO
I will soon be remitting my manuscript to InterVarsity Press Academic for the book I have been working on about Fred “Mister” Rogers and his Heavenly Vision of the Neighborhood. This has been a life-giving project and I thank God for it! I will be writing more about this project as it grows nearer to publication.
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EX FONTE SUMMER ISSUE COMING SOON
The Spring/Summer issue of Ex Fonte magazine will be released in mid-June. This issue explores the theological implications of space travel and related discoveries, along with a lovely reflection on the healing poetry of George Herbert. Ex Fonte is a thought magazine published by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (I am the editor in chief); it is not a standard “alumni” or “institutional” magazine. It is a trade magazine that is the seminary’s gift to the reading public, offering thoughtful theological reflection that informs the contemporary cultural conversation. It is published three times a year (for $20). You can subscribe here or purchase single issues here. (The summer issue will be out in mid-June and will be available for purchase at that time.)
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reNEW SPIRITUAL RETREAT FOR WRITERS AND SPEAKERS,
In October, I am honored to be part of the faculty at the upcoming reNEW Spiritual Retreat for Writers and Speakers, at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut. (It’s not too late to register! Go here for more information.) I will be offering three workshops during this special weekend: Fiction as Both Sacred and Profane, Write Your Life: Building a Memoir, and Finding the Soul of the Interview. (More information on the workshops, including mine, can be found here.) Special thanks to Rachel Britton for inviting me! More will be coming on that soon.
👉 PLANS UPCOMING 👈
In early June I will be traveling to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the hometown of Fred Rogers. I plan to look around the town, visit the church he attended and also his final resting place, and especially to spend time at the Fred Rogers Institute on the campus of St. Vincent’s College. Needless to say, I will be writing more about that!
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On a personal note, I will be undergoing surgery in early July for a non-cancerous tumor in my frontal sinus. For those of you who are praying people, I welcome your prayers for that! (Surgery date is July 2.)
I would love to hear from you! Please stay in touch.