Credo

I've decided to start a regular series on Sundays about religion, faith and spirituality. I will include books, songs, prayers, poems, and quotations from many different faiths.

For this first Sunday, I want to share on of my favorite books: Credo by William Sloane Coffin. Rev. Coffin was a freedom rider, the chaplain at Yale for many years, and the long time pastor at Riverside Church in New York. This book is a collection of excerpts and quotations from Rev. Coffin's many sermons and speeches, with occasional nuggets from other people added in.

They are organized in different topics including faith, death, economics, and patriotism. His words are inspiring and thought-provoking. Here's one:

"The longest, most arduous trip in the world is often the journey from the head to the heart. Until that round trip is completed, we remain at war with ourselves. And, of course, those at war with themselves are apt to make casualties of others, including friends and loved ones."

He also wrote some other superb books, including Letters to a Young Doubter. It's a collection of letters from Rev. Coffin to a fictional college freshman. His words are comforting, probing, reassuring, and challenging all at the same time.

Rev. Coffin was a gifted writer and a powerful spiritual leader.