Spirit Soundings
Spirit Soundings is the Blog of our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace
What “Mark” Do You Need to See to Believe? by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (from John 20:25) ‘Unless I see the mark…” These words of Thomas have haunted believers throughout the centuries as […]
From the Safety of the Shore into Deep Water by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets […]
The Centrality and Clarity of Our Call by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free..,“ (Luke 4:18) I am a lover of film and theater. I greatly […]
“Thin Places” – Where Heaven and Earth Meet, by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) This […]
A Moment to Give Thanks by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
As we gathered last week as the Presbytery of Philadelphia at Wallingford, I was struck by the spirit of the gathering. There was a ‘vibe’ in the air that accompanied the mood throughout our pre-presbytery conversations, business meeting, worship and celebration dinner. I could not help but consider how blessed we are to be part […]
The Struggle Within by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and […]
An Affirmation of Faith in ‘the Testimony of Creation-Scapes’ by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In God’s hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains also belong to God. The sea and the dry land belongs to God, which God’s hands have formed. (Adapted from Psalm 95:3-5) There are moments and places […]
A Renewed Call to “Rise Up” by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
“Arise, Your Light has Come” (Isaiah 60:1) With Labor Day behind us, Fall is now upon us. We are mindful that the warm days of summer will soon be a distant memory. Backpacks have been blessed and school buses are again picking up our children. Educators of all ages have embarked on another academic year […]
When Silence is Broken and the Church Rises – Kingdom Glimpses Emerge by Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) There are moments in history when the church has found itself at critical intersections, where what we claim to believe collides with the cultural temptations around us. These are moments where Christians of all backgrounds, cultures, races, and traditions come face to […]
Making Our Way to GA223
June 8, 2018 Dear Brothers and Sisters on the Journey, In just one week, your elected commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD), other leaders facilitating General Assembly conversations, along with your Stated Clerk, your Associate Presbyter and your Executive Presbyter will find themselves at the 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis, Missouri, meeting from […]
