For St. Valentine’s weekend, Pepper Swanson examines The Song of Solomon.  Why is this picture of passionate young love in the Bible at all?  The old Sunday School explanation that it’s an extended metaphor for God’s love for us doesn’t seem to square with the blush-inducing imagery. . . .or does it?  And, why did…

Pepper Swanson is a recent graduate of Pacific School of Religion and is currently a candidate for ordination in the UCC.  In this sermon she examined one of the most often-quoted passages in the Bible  (Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18) in light of the high incidence of loneliness in today’s world and our need to feel…

Pepper Swanson is a recent graduate of Pacific School of Religion and is currently a candidate for ordination in the UCC. In this sermon, she explored a deeper understanding of the obligation of forgiveness as stated in Matthew 18:21 – 35.  She suggested a technique from improv theater that can unleash the healing power of forgiveness,…