April 19, 1775

The Concord Hymn Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837) Tune: Old Hundredth By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled; Here once the embattled farmers stood; And fired the shot heard round the world. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps, And Time the ruined bridge…

Jewish Young Adults

The latest newsletter of Synagogue 3000 has an interesting article, Synagogues That Get It: How Jewish Congregations are Engaging Young Adults (PDF), by Tobin Belzer and Donald E. Miller. Among other conclusions: Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish congregations that are successfully attracting young adults take similar approaches to engaging members of this population. Likewise, young…

Hier stehe Ich. Ich kann nicht anders.

Paul McCain remembers Luther’s stand at the Reichstag of Worms, April 18, 1521 (with pictures of Worms). [Dr. Ecken:] . . . Do you wish to defend the books which are recognized as your work? Or to retract anything contained in them? . . . [Luther:] Most Serene Lord Emperor, Most Illustrious Princes, Most Gracious…