So glad to read your "leeward" reflection, post-Atlantic publication, and gripped by the line that the news moved fast, almost faster than life does... or should. I think a lot of folks might be surprised to learn just how little control or even influence a writer has over headlines, and also how journalism tends to focus on division and conflict rather than simply "not relentlessly positive and upbeat." I'm glad you brought light to a more complicated witness, and delighted you are experiencing such joy in your book research and writing!
Let me play contrarian (or perhaps prophet):). After a year and 3/4 of gloom and doom with the media churning out pandemic story after story that seemingly did nothing but drive panic, convey conflicting information and divide us on topics from masks to vaccines to reopening schools and more, I (and am guessing many others) needed a dose of, if not pollyannish optimism, at least the assurance that there is hope. You say the Episcopal Church and others say "despite the pandemic and the subsequent shutdowns and continuing tribulations, everything is great", and my reaction is Thanks Be to God that someone is looking for the positive. Church is a place I hope to go to get a battery recharge to help face the all too real problems of everyday life, a respite in time of storms. BTW, no criticism of you implied as I get the very real struggle of clergy during this time but I am grateful for the voices of optimism.
My second thoughts on this were how relevant your comments are to our current political disfunction where all too many think the only truth is theirs.
So glad to read your "leeward" reflection, post-Atlantic publication, and gripped by the line that the news moved fast, almost faster than life does... or should. I think a lot of folks might be surprised to learn just how little control or even influence a writer has over headlines, and also how journalism tends to focus on division and conflict rather than simply "not relentlessly positive and upbeat." I'm glad you brought light to a more complicated witness, and delighted you are experiencing such joy in your book research and writing!
Let me play contrarian (or perhaps prophet):). After a year and 3/4 of gloom and doom with the media churning out pandemic story after story that seemingly did nothing but drive panic, convey conflicting information and divide us on topics from masks to vaccines to reopening schools and more, I (and am guessing many others) needed a dose of, if not pollyannish optimism, at least the assurance that there is hope. You say the Episcopal Church and others say "despite the pandemic and the subsequent shutdowns and continuing tribulations, everything is great", and my reaction is Thanks Be to God that someone is looking for the positive. Church is a place I hope to go to get a battery recharge to help face the all too real problems of everyday life, a respite in time of storms. BTW, no criticism of you implied as I get the very real struggle of clergy during this time but I am grateful for the voices of optimism.
My second thoughts on this were how relevant your comments are to our current political disfunction where all too many think the only truth is theirs.