Weekly Outlook - Can the worker-pastor model work?

Dear readers, We've been talking about our September issue on reparations for months. Outlook Editor/Publisher Teri McDowell Ott felt the tug of divine inspiration to tackle the topic around a year ago. Since then, we've thought through the different voices we needed to include, the graphics, the marketing, the writing — all for it to arrive in mailboxes in the next couple of days.  My role on the team is to help facilitate the promotion of the magazine. The September issue is what we call a "special issue," meaning that we pre-sell issues and print extra copies. We do this for theme issues we find particularly relevant, on topics we imagine our readers might want to engage with in small groups or share in their circles. If you remember our June 2023 issue on gun violence or our 2022 Trust Black Women issue: those were both special issues.  In our pre-sales of the magazine, we've received some preliminary feedback on the topic. Some praise and some criticism. If you're unsure about the topic or if the word "reparations" elicits a complicated emotion within you, I invite you to read Teri's introduction to the issue where she asks: "Will you, with me?" Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

A prayer before the September 10th debate by Erin Weber-Johnson and Mieke Vandersall  Lessons from a worker-pastor by N. Barry Dancy  How national parks taught us the art of slow travel by Karie Charlton The difference between triangles and triangulation: Family systems theory for church leaders by David Lee Jones In case you missed it... A call to courage: The Atwood Institute’s stand against gun violence The inaugural Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage met in New Mexico last week, creating a well-resourced community for Christians wishing to end gun violence. — Dartinia Hull Turning toward the work of healing Outlook Editor Teri McDowell Ott introduces our issue on reparations. Dr. Thelma Adair, the first African American woman elected Moderator of the General Assembly, dies at 103 She’s remembered as a passionate educator, church leader and human rights advocate. — Mike Ferguson Why the ultimate goal — in sports and life — is called a ‘Holy Grail’ Several important threads have combined over the centuries to give rise to the Holy Grail metaphor commonly used nowadays. — Joanne M. Pierce The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith and Refounding Democracy  Wallis writes with urgency and passion, and his straightforward and anecdote-packed book is an accessible choice to inspire discussion (and activism) for such a time as this. — Amy Pagliarella Upcoming canonization of “Millennial saint” Carlo Acutis reflects the Vatican’s desire to appeal to a new generation of Catholics The Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 of a rare form of leukemia at age 15, will soon become the Catholic Church’s first “millennial saint.” — Michael A. Di Giovine A hunter’s reflection on creation and connection Why does one animal sleep in my bed while the other winds up on my grill? Tony Jones, a hunter and dog owner, investigates this paradox.