CHRIS GLASER IS NOW WRITING A BLOG FOR PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS POSTED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING! "While some Christians seem to have lost their minds," Glaser quips, "Critically-thinking Christians cannot lose heart. Those of us working for an inclusive church, a just world, and a thoughtful faith need brief reflections to inspire us."

Progressive Christian Reflections will not be a blog that is sensational, self-centered, or strident. Instead, this blog will offer thoughtful contemplation of spiritual texts, traditions, and experience.

Bishop John Shelby Spong, in describing Glaser's most recent book, said Chris wrote "with the heart of a pastor, the sensitivity of a therapist, and the insight of a theologian."

Sue Mosteller, C.S.J., of the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, has said of Chris's writing, "I found myself in the privileged company of a friend and master, sharing his kind spirit, his deep wisdom, and his compassionate heart."

Glaser has written a dozen books and contributed to twenty others published by mainstream presses as well as a variety of Protestant and Roman Catholic publishing houses. They address the spiritual life, human sexuality, ministry, AIDS, an inclusive church, worship, sacrament, theology, politics, marriage, and death.

He has spoken and led retreats and workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada for hundreds of congregations, campuses, and communities. Click here for possible topics of speaking engagements.

For more details, please browse his pages—bio, books, and blog.

And don't forget to pet Calvin the dog!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan. 29, 2012, 11 a.m. -- Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church, Daholonega, GA, Chris will speak on "Death as Soul Friend: What Death Can Teach Us about Life." Following the service, from 12:30 to 1:30, Chris will lead a workshop on an earlier sermon topic: "Our Lives as Sacred Texts," exploring the sacred in our life experiences. A light lunch will be served beforehand.

RECENT EVENTS

Dec. 10, 2011 -- Read Chris's sermons from Pittsburgh, PA: "I Love to Tell the Story" (Community House Presbyterian Church) and "Seek to Do Good to All" (MCC Pittsburgh).

Nov. 10-13, 2011 -- Kirkridge Retreat & Study Center, Bangor, PA. Chris co-led an ecumenical retreat for gay and bisexual Christian men with Robert V. Taylor and Joseph Palacios on "Gratitude in Three Movements: Forgiveness, Acceptance, and Thanksgiving."

Oct. 23, 2011 - Chris spoke to the adult education class at 9:30 a.m. on "Claim the God in You as a Progressive Christian" and preached on Jesus Was Not a Literalist during 10:45 a.m. worship, followed by a Q/A session over lunch. Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum St., Rockville, MD 20851. Tel: 301-424-6733.

Oct. 9, 2011 -- Listen to Chris's sermon, The Wedding Banquet, on same-gender marriage, Hanover Street Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE.

Aug. 8, 2011 -- Chris contributed the reflection on the lectionary selections for World AIDS Day in Preaching God's Transforming Justice (Westminster John Knox Press) now available.

Jul. 31, 2011 -- Chris spoke on "Spiritual Abuse" during Sunday 11 a.m. worship at Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church in Dahlonega, GA.

Jul. 10, 2011 -- Sunday 11 a.m. worship at Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Chris was the guest preacher.

Jun. 26, 2011 -- Chris spoke at Our Hope MCC in Athens, GA, on "The Power of Words," 11 a.m. Meeting was at the Univ. of GA Presbyterian Student Center, 1250 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30605. Tel: 706-202-3723.

Jun. 11, 2011 -- "Sex Talk: Sexuality and Spirituality," a 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. workshop led by Chris Glaser on Saturday, June 11 at First MCC in Atlanta. Free, but registration suggested. Straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and more are trying to embrace the gift of sexuality despite religious upbringing. Presentations and conversations. Lunch provided.

May 1, 2011 -- Holocaust Remembrance Sunday, Chris preached during the 11 a.m. worship of Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church, corner of Delaware and Woodland in Atlanta.

Mar. 14, 2011 -- Chris invited to post on the blog of Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. Do Progressive Christians Pray?

Mar. 13, 2011 -- First Sunday in Lent, Chris preached at Our Hope MCC in Athens, GA, 11 a.m., on the "Temptations of Our Time." Meets in the Univ. of GA Presbyterian Student Center, 1250 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30605. Tel: 706-202-3723.

Feb. 10, 2011 -- Listen anytime to the broadcast archived at Stonewall Live radio when Chris discussed, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life.

Jan. 13-16, 2011 -- (MLK weekend). "Awakening the Spirit, Healing the Wounds: The Redemptive Gay Experience," a retreat for gay and bisexual men. Led by therapist Terry Flynn and author Chris Glaser. Flynn, a former Roman Catholic provincial, is a Toronto psychotherapist focusing on spirituality, identity, and addiction. For more info, go to Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center and Terence Flynn's website.

Oct. 28, 2010 -- Chris preached at Imago Dei Coming Out Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in Campbell Hall Chapel, Decatur, Georgia. Sponsored by Imago Dei, the LGBTQ and Allies campus group. Open to the public. Click for map.

Oct. 26, 2010 -- On Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Chris appeared at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse for a booksigning of his new release, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life. Event located at 10th and Piedmont in Atlanta, GA. Click for map.

Oct. 23-24, 2010 -- In Dayton, OH, Equality Cross Creek hosted Chris for a presentation of his latest book, As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same-Gender Marriage. Saturday lecture with lunch and Sunday sermon at the Cross Creek Community Church. Details for October event at Cross Creek.

From 2009 -- Watch Chris Glaser preach about "Spiritual Integrity" -- YouTube, Part 1 of 2 and YouTube, Part 2 of 2.

IN THE NEWS

Oct. 22 – Pittsburgh Presbytery cancels appearance by gay advocate after the Task Force on Ministry with Sexual Minorities had asked Chris speak at the Dec. 10 meeting on the future of gay ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

May 12 – "Author, political strategist, civil rights activist and public affairs advisor" David Mixner honors Chris in his article, Presbyterian Church Action Is Big Deal.

Mar. 10 – Chris' latest book, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life, tops the list of New books on grief, comfort: Fear Not blog by Kay Campbell of The Huntsville Times.

Feb. 16 – Read Robert Taylor's interview of Chris from Life Lessons from Death?

Jan. 8 – Church Publishing, Inc., one of Glaser’s publishers, has joined with Google eBooks to offer more than 500 titles. Click for Chris’ eBooks at the Google eBookstore.

Nov. 10 – The New Gay, Facing Your Past, in Print, by Bikram Kohli about Chris' newest book release, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life.

Nov. 8 – Examining death, including the one I caused, a review by Mark S. King of Chris' book, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life. Also published at The Bilerico Project and Georgia Voice. Now featured on The Body website, The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource.

Aug. 7 – Photo gallery of Chris (on left) with Atlanta clergy during the Love + Commitment = Marriage counter-protest to the National Organization for Marriage rally in Atlanta. Read the news story (especially "Clergy collars") at Project Q Atlanta. Also view on Facebook.

Feb. 18 -- In The Philadelphia Gay News, Chris at the Feb. 12 interfaith breakfast, William Way LGBT Community Center.

Feb. 11 -- Chris with attendees of the Queer Christian Fellowship, LGBT Center, University of Pennsylvania. Click thumbnail image to view.

Feb. 9 -- In Philadelphia City Paper, Chris to speak at Feb. 12 interfaith breakfast on same-gender marriage.

Oct. 2 -- From Southern Voice, read Chris' editorial, Marriage equality's spiritual side [PDF].

Sept. 22 -- On the radio, Alternative Perspectives, produced by Betty Couvertier, WRFG, 89.3 FM. Listen to the podcast.

Sept. 21 -- Chris named Grand Marshal for 2009 Atlanta Pride. Read the announcement. Watch Officer Dani Lee Harris and Chris Glaser onstage at Atlanta Gay Pride 2009 -- YouTube .

EMAIL ChrisGlaserWEB@aol.com