By Scott Cullen, CrossCurrents Editor A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this summer edition of CrossCurrents. My vision was to create a special summertime edition because I receive fewer CrossCurrents contributions this time of year. Here’s what I did. I emailed more than 100 members of the congregation a list of summer-themed … Continue reading Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

  I’ve read 3 very different books: The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Wedding People by Alison Espach, and The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey. I’m currently reading Simple Church by Thom Rainer, Eric Geiger, et al, and The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design … Continue reading What Books Are on Your Summer Reading List? Part 1

The Joker by the Steve Miller Band reminds me of the many parties I went to at the end of high school before heading off to college. – Maria Baratta Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters – Beth Brasor, John Fowler Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts – Sue Busch The Beach Boys – Kathie … Continue reading What Song(s) or Music Always Remind You of Summer?

Grease or Dirty Dancing. – Maria Baratta Mama Mia. – Sue Busch Summer Rental. John Candy was amazing! – Jen Couchoud Not to be pretentious, but a French movie, Claire’s Knee from 1970. In second place is Swedish director Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night from 1955. Pretentiousness aside, Dazed & Confused, a movie … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Movie Set During the Summer?

Above: Barbara Drew’s perfect summer day location–the lake in New Hampshire. At home with friends and family, enjoying a day by the pool, with picnic foods and cold drinks, followed by a visit to a local ice cream shop. – Maria Baratta Almost anywhere in France. – Beth Brasor Yellowstone National Park – Sue Busch … Continue reading If You Could Spend One Perfect Summer Day Anywhere, Where Would It Be?

A flurry at the local dairy treat place in northern Michigan. Bob Alt A grilled hot dog, macaroni salad, ambrosia salad (no Jello), and soft-serve ice cream. – Maria Baratta That’s easy – ice cream! I’m not big for sweets generally, but that creamy-cold-sweet-and-flavorful concoction is unbeatable on a hot day. I remember being surprised … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Summertime Food or Treat?

There were a couple of local church festivals and local farm shows that we would look forward to for months. Rickety rides, junk food, and no parental supervision for a couple of nights were absolute bliss for me. – Maria Baratta Making up plays in my basement. Only place to stay cool! – Beth Brasor … Continue reading What Was Your Favorite Summer Activity When You Were a Child?

Above: Chris Marietti continues his quest to visit every MLB ballpark. Here he is with his family in Arizona at Chase Field watching the Diamondbacks. When our kids were very young, they used to like lying in a hammock with me and looking up at the sky. We would all speak softly, watch birds and … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Summer Memory?

Woodstock. – Maria Baratta Edgar Meyer – Sue Busch  I think that I would love the Newport Folk Festival, in the past when Bob Dylan shocked everyone by going electric, but also now. I just need to find someone to take the trip with me. – Parker Cohen Even though I’ve seen them numerous times over … Continue reading If You Could Attend Any Outdoor Summer Concert (Past or Present), Who Would You See?