Author: robertjchase

I attended a cousin’s wedding this past week. It was quite the party—lavish banquet hall, more than abundant food (so many appetizers!), elaborate dinner, drinking and dancing. Hundreds of people were there, including many members of my extended family. It was a rousing celebratory event. But while there, I was struck by the thought that … Continue reading Coronavirus Is Coming

As Communications Director of the United Church of Christ (1999-2007), I was often asked, “what is the most pressing issue facing the UCC today?” Implicit in the question was the anticipation that I would say something about impending war, nuclear disarmament, the precipitous decline in church or finances or systemic racism. However, I always replied, … Continue reading Tools of Discernment

It is clear in President Trump’s vengeful reaction to his impeachment acquittal that the lesson he has learned is not what so many Republican Senators had hoped—that the experience would moderate his behavior and he'd be more respectful of individuals and institutions that challenge his authority. This has always been a recurring pipedream for wistful … Continue reading Real Strength

The Iowa caucus debacle is but the latest example of how we too often expect technology to solve society’s ills, only to come up disappointed time and again. The app had a glitch, phone lines were jammed, systems for tallying totals and cross-checking results were poorly planned and implemented. Results—at this writing—are still incomplete. One … Continue reading Technology Seduction

The onslaught of dramatic headlines continued, even intensified, this week. Despite the preponderance of air time given to Donald Trump’s impeachment, there were three stories unrelated to the trial that claimed my attention in a special way because of a personal connection I had to the news. First—and this story received little attention in the … Continue reading Three Intersections