Do You See What I See?

We ask ourselves this question each Advent season, mainly because it’s the opening query of the night wind to the little lamb in the holiday classic ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ Bing... Read More »

Understanding Advent

Speaking to children about theology, the church’s teachings, or liturgical seasons requires far more than coming up with a mental script. It demands pretty extensive pre-processing. I so wish... Read More »

Far from the Tree

While looking for something to watch last week, I encountered Andrew Solomon’s remarkable documentary, Far from the Tree. Based on his bestselling book of the same name, this moving film is a... Read More »

Holy Scripture & Social Media

In response to the constant use of social media and cell phones, Campbell Hall invited a technology expert who consults with law enforcement to speak with our 7th graders in small groups. You could... Read More »

Sacred Candles

I think that most of us who are either clergy or laypeople actively involved in ministry would admit that, despite our best efforts, our family’s spiritual life is not always a picture of... Read More »

Make the Stranger Our Neighbor

As chaplain of an Episcopal School with a long and storied history dating back to the American War for Independence, I appreciate the role of continuing the historical legacy of the Anglican ethos. I... Read More »

Sailors

Simon Peter first met Christ on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a story we hear in the fifth chapter of the Book of Luke. During a single morning, Peter changed the direction of his life,... Read More »

Explaining Episcopal Identity

There was a time, not so long ago, when the vast majority of students at my school (St. Mark’s, Southborough, MA) were church-attending Episcopalians. Thus there was really no need to explain,... Read More »

An Attitude of Gratitude

We all know that our mood affects everything and everyone around us. Bad traffic, a difficult start to the day, feeling overworked or underappreciated — any one of these can send us into a... Read More »

The Final Frontier

Jonathan F. Cooper has been Communications Manager for NAES since June of 2017. As a function of that role, Jonathan also serves as editor for The Commons, the NAES blog. Prior to joining NAES, Jonathan was Communications Manager and Music Associate at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park, OH. He holds degrees from Baldwin Wallace College and the University of Cincinnati. Read More »