The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

We’ve lost several national heroes of late – artists, writers, activists whose advanced age is a reminder of how long their wisdom, passion and commitment to the good has been shaping us. That’s important to remember when so many cruel and hateful voices are grabbing the microphone. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the passing of Dolly Parton. But I’m also mourning the passing of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, jazz musician Cassandra Wilson and author and activist Wendell Berry. Berry has been a...

I just got back from a bath in the forest. Well to be honest, as full immersions go this was more like a sponge bath in the woods. Still, I had a bit of time in the middle of my day today and thought I’d try out forest bathing, which sounds a bit more romantic than taking a walk after lunch to reduce my glucose levels. Forest bathing is a ritual of presence and awareness done among trees, the farther removed the better. I opted for Edge Hill Woods, which has an uphill path that begins at the...

We remember where we were on Sept. 11, 2001. Jess and the kids and I lived in Cleveland Heights, OH, at the time. My friend Pat called to tell me to turn on the television. How did he know I hadn’t yet tuned in? On every station were the images of the burning buildings in New York City, the news just starting to unfold. I watched in horror as I waited for my ministry partner Bob to pick me up. We were headed to a local school to offer storytelling and music for a back-to-school program. As...