Welcome from Eric O. Ledermann
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Thanks for stopping in. Pour yourself a cup o' jo, take a load off your feet, and check out what's here. You are looking at my ramblings about issues of faith, life and culture—they are my own and are not necessarily shared by those with whom I work, live or otherwise engage.
My journey has led my family and me across the country where I have been introduced to a lot of people and a lot of different ways of doing things. One passion, though, runs through all these experiences: building beloved and sustainable community. "Sustainable" community is kind of a strange notion, as communities (people) change constantly, and things are always in motion. So, the latest chapter of my life has led me to the notion of "impermanence"—not an idea that comes naturally in a culture that likes to build monuments to our greatness for future generations to view and admire. But, I'm trying to practice my awareness of impermanence—the idea that nothing is permanent, nothing is forever, and things are always in flux.
Feel free to share your comments and engage in any conversation that may be happening here, but just know that I do reserve the right to delete any spam or anything I deem inappropriate or offensive. I look forward to dialoguing with anyone who cares to dialogue!
Peace and blessings,

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Agitators are dangerous. They can insight fear and frustration, and often violence, with or without knowing it. Last Saturday I participated in a counter-rally calling out presidential frontrunner Donal Trump for his racist, misogynistic, and down-right hateful rhetoric. We were there to agitate, but also raise the flag on the language coming from a person who is vying for one of the most powerful positions in the world. Prior to Saturday, opposing Donald Trump’s run […]
With every step Jesus took into and within Jerusalem, he pushed against the status quo of fear and oppression. He pushed the Jewish leadership in their cooperation with the empire. He pushed the Roman leadership, riding that thin line between nuisance and seditionist. The leaders saw that the crowd was getting behind Jesus, drawn to his preaching of love and justice (probably more the justice than the love). They needed to figure out how to […]
It’s Tuesday of Holy Week. In Mark’s gospel (11.20-13.27) we find Jesus heading into the deep waters of confronting the socio-religious and political powers of Jerusalem. A series of interactions with Pharisees, scribes, and some wealthy Sadducees puts Jesus on the defensive. But he, according to gospel accounts, aptly volleys the threats back into the courts of his opponents and scores several points—all the more reason to kill him!
In one Jesus is […]
Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians. On that day we honored what has become known as Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem. I put that in quotes because as Jesus was entering the city from the east, from the west was coming Governor Pontius Pilate with a hoard of soldiers, war horses, chariots and other armaments to display the full force and power of the Roman Empire. Why was Pilate coming […]
In the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, it is written that we are called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. We are also called to love our neighbor as ourselves. In response, it was once asked: “Who is my neighbor?” And then, a story was told.
A young university student was walking home from class one afternoon. On the way, a group of thieves jumped him, beat him up, and […]
Note: I am taking some risks here, so I ask for your patience and compassion as I continue to sort out in my own mind, albeit publicly, these thoughts on race, racism, and my faith. At the same time, I invite your comments, ponderments, and wonderments. I have written about issues of race several times before on this blog (you can see them here.. During this Advent season, I am wrestling a lot […]
Marc Chagall, “The Prophet Jeremiah,” 1968, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Chagall (accessed October 20, 2015).
I’m taking a class at McCormick Theological Seminary about the prophets of the Hebrew scriptures. We’re focusing primarily on the book of Jeremiah. It’s been a fascinating look at the books of the bible that have for a long time called to me and that I have for a long time avoided because so often I feel like I don’t understand them. […]
[Author’s note: This post is a bit more “stream of consciousness.” I wrote it reflecting on Walter Brueggemann’s book, Reality, Grief, Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks, which I’m reading for a class as part of my Doctor of Ministry studies at McCormick Theological Seminary. So, as you read, be kind in your thoughts. This is a vulnerable piece for me, but I wanted to offer it as is.]
Mary and the Child Jesus […]
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