Bruce J. Johnson

In my last blog post, also dated January 27, 2025, I quoted from a TED talk about the post-truth era in which we are living. The title of the talk by Yuval Noah Harari was “Are we living in a post-truth era? Yes, but that’s because we’re a post-truth species,” and the quote read: Truth … Read more

The United Church of Christ sends calendars annually to churches and active and retired pastors.  Each Sabbath is accompanied by the appointed lessons for the day along with suggested sermon themes. Significant dates and recurring observances are also noted, such as Orthodox Christmas, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, … Read more

The U.S. flags on federal buildings and some state/municipal buildings are still set at half-staff in compliance with our nation’s thirty-day period of mourning the death of the thirty-nineth President, James Earl Carter Jr. They will remain at half-staff until January 28th., unless President-elect Trump raises them as soon as he takes office. In my … Read more

Former President James Earl Carter Jr., the thirty-nineth President of the United States, died on December 29, 2024, at the age of one hundred. Tributes to his life and legacy have flowed to his family and the nation from all over the world. His six-day funeral starts today (Saturday) with a motorcade to The Carter … Read more

I continue to struggle mightily to understand the role of Christianity in the last Presidential election. How Donald Trump, a despicable human being, a convicted felon on fraud charges, someone held liable for millions of dollars for sexual assault and abuse, garnered 56% of the ‘Christian’ vote is unsettling. How Donald Trump, whose behavior, politics, … Read more

During the Christmas season, I find myself often bearing a heavy heart. I suspect that I am not alone in feeling this way. Given the nature of world events, news outlets rarely report any heartening or uplifting news. I have tried not to watch the news on television, but my big fail is that I … Read more

I can remember the day when having ‘influence and selling it’ was something of a pejorative enterprise. ‘Influence peddling’ is not only unethical but often illegal. One of the centers in our country for these activities is K Street in Washington D.C., which is a major thoroughfare in the nation’s capital. It is congested and … Read more

I am not a huge fan or follower of things royal. I have resisted the invitation by People Magazine to subscribe to their ‘free Royal’s newsletter.”  Although Lois and I enjoyed watching the television series on Netflix about Queen Elizabeth, neither of us is keen on watching anything about King Charles and Queen Camilla, or, … Read more

The season of Advent is upon us. How do I know this? Well, I know because Lois and I have made sure that both Hailey and Cole have their windowed, crèche scene, chocolate Advent calendar in their hands for December 1st, one in Florida, the other in Connecticut. Advent is such a special time of … Read more

I am presently ‘snow birding’ in the Sunshine State, which often and most generously, offers clear blue skies and warm temperatures. Last Sunday, however, I returned to the Nutmeg State, with its seasonally cool temperatures and cloudy skies, to attend church virtually. Reverend Diane Seaborn, Senior Pastor of the Storrs Congregational Church on the campus … Read more