For me, 2012 is a new beginning. No, it has nothing to do with the Mayan Calendar, or the Olympics, or the fact that it's an election year. Rather, it is a year in which I am making a new start ... A renewed call to ordained ministry ... Launching a dream to teach ... Hoping again. Haven't felt this way since I was 24! And yes, that was a while back.
This web site is part of this new beginning. Here, I want to put it all out there and share with the world what I'm up to, what I'm thinking about, and what I hope to do. Not because I'm so wonderful (my wife has a very nuanced perspective on that subject), but because I'm grateful to be alive, and I want to express something of that gratitude and joy in at least a few web pages' worth of my life.
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The site is divided into a few basic sections:
Ministry and Professional Life - Here you can learn more about me as a Presbyterian minister and educator. Sub-pages off this page include one for my sermons and meditations (beginning Advent 2011) and one on which I discuss my theological perspective and its roots, and there include information on my research, writing, and teaching interests.
Sacred Frontiers - Sacred Frontiers is an exciting new educational initiative that I have co-founded and am launching in 2012. Through it, my colleagues and I hope to make a positive difference for the cause of progressive religious and theological education in the Atlanta area and beyond. A sub-page details what classes and topics I offer as a guest speaker for churches and community organizations.
Genealogical Research - My chief avocation for more than 20 years, genealogy is a joy of mine. There are two sub-pages off this page: My Family History, on which may be found the results of research into my own family, and Seminars, on which I give details about genealogically-related educational opportunities I offer to the public.
Finally, I share some other interests, ones I've had since I was a young boy - collecting ancient Roman Coins and stamps and covers of the British Empire and Commonwealth.
Again, welcome to this site. I hope you enjoy looking around!
A view of Loch Lomond in Scotland. The traditional lands of the Clan Buchanan lie around it. 