469 years ago this week Spanish physician and theologian Michael Servetus was burned at the stake, on orders of John Calvin.

Servetus had published a couple books that brought him under the scrutiny of both Catholic and Protestant authorities.

It is challenging–I was going to say interesting, but no, it is challenging–to explore the theme of courage in a month that encompasses both National Coming Out Day and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Challenging to read piece after pieces in the SoulMatters resource packet defining courage, urging courage, as indeed my colleagues and I often preach.

Our opening hymn is one that was carried over from the old blue Hymns for the Celebration of Life in our new–now 30 year old–gray Singing the Living Tradition. I’ve sung it most of my life, and it lives in my brain and in my heart.