The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem

Diocesan Life Columns

Bishop Paul V. Marshall

These are Bishop Paul's Monthly Columns published in the Diocesan Newspaper, Diocesan Life, edited by Communication Minister, Bill Lewellis.    For more features from the life of our diocese, check the Diocesanlife....ONLINE page; for news, check Bethlehem News.


On Children, Water and Aquarium Maintenance
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, January 2008

Nightmares: the Non-Invocation
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, December 2007

If I Told You...Would You Believe Me?
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, November, 2007

Two Weddings and a Funeral
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October, 2007

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Anthony Poggo of Kajo Keji and Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem
By Bishop Anthony Poggo and Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, September, 2007

Our New Hope Program is Bethlehem's Extra Mile Along the MDG Journey
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, August, 2007

There is No McDonalds in Kajo Keji, but They Eat the Same Food
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July, 2007

People Who Show Up Experience the Body of Christ
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, June, 2007

We Will Do Something Unique
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April, 2007

Support the Presiding Bishop This Lent
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, February, 2007

Winning is Not the Only Thing
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October, 2006

Practice, Practice, Practice
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, August, 2006

Let's Get Healthy Together
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, June, 2006

So New Life Can Happen
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 2006

Lent - Time to Change the Future
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, March 2006

Communicating to Share Our Treasures
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, February, 2006

Everybody is called, everybody is sent,
everybody can be nourished along the way

By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, January 2006

There are those moments
when we want somebody in the water with us

By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, December 2005

Converging Realities of Our Life Together
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July/August 2005

We best know who we are when we care for others
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 2004

When does help become control?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July/August 2004

The Passion of the Christ
You Could Make a Movie Out of It
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 2004

Communion is above all a discipline
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, March 2004

Does God want us to hate anyone on his behalf
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 2003

Always and Everywhere
Look for the Spirit - embrace chaos
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July/August 2003

Faith and public morals
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, May 2003

Are you an enemy of the cross?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 2003

A kind of idolatry
Confusing a church with a building
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, March

People get away with behavior in church communities that would not be tolerated anywhere else
Healthy Churches Draw Clear Boundaries
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 2002

All we are saying, is...
Give Peace a Chance
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 2002

[The Living Church (September 29) has published this under the title, "Let's Really Show RESPECT for One Another."]

Just Who do you Think You are?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, July/August 2002

Give up Victimhood for Lent
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, February 2002

God Be With Us As We Struggle
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
September 14, 2001 
Diocesan Life, October 2001

Tax Revolt 
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 2001

What Women Clergy Have Taught Me
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July/August 2001

Nothing, Except Perhaps the Gospel, Compels us to Make our Churches Safe Spaces
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, June 2001

Acts of Generosity Make Discipleship Last 
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, May 2001

What Should Die So New Life Can Happen?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, April 2001

Even Those Things we may Perceive as our Good Work Need the Umbrella of God's Grace
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, March 2001

We Walk Before We Run
I believe that human experience is cumulative, that little honesties add up to honor, that little acts of faithfulness add up to integrity.
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, February 2001

Jesus Did Not Possess Religious Clout
Diocesan Life, December 2000

Embracing Necessary Pain
Diocesan Life, October 2000

Share the Bread, Free Your Spirit, Invite a Friend
Diocesan Life, September 2000

Pilgrims Miss Sights to Have Vision
Bishop Paul left for Swaziland February 22. He will return March 2. 
Diocesan Life, March 2000

Her Witness Was Clear
Marie Elizabeth cared for those whom the world easily forgets 
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, January 2000

From Contempt of What is Old and From Fear of What is New
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, November 1999

Rusty Baritone Bishop Says:  Sing Anyway
Bishop Paul V. Marshall 
Diocesan Life, October 1999

Is behaving well because we are afraid of God good behavior?
Living With a God of Endless Gifts
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 1999

The Color Purple
Accepting the consequences... just like I tell the kids.
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, June 1999

Get Ready for Share the Bread 2000
We will take the next step - May 7, 2000*
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, May 1999

*The date for Share the Bread 2000 has been set for October 14

We Need To Speak Words That Liberate
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 1999

Discipleship costs... but resurrection follows....
We Are Adult Friends Of Jesus Christ
by Bishop Paul V. Marshall
(edited version of the sermon preached at the Celebration of New Ministry at Trinity, Bethlehem, with their new rector, Nick Nisely)

During Lent, the entire church goes on retreat
When We Want God As Much as Air
By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, February, 1999

Nothing has trivialized Lent more than our tendency to think of it as a moral tidying up, a sort of moral spring housecleaning. There is certainly nothing wrong with morality -- as a culture we need all we can get. But morality is the result, not the starting point of the Christian enterprise. Our sins are only symptoms, attempts to fill those empty or frightened places in the heart that should be filled by God.

Advent Speaks to Us of Darkness, Longing, Hope
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, December 1998

Looking Under All of Our Bridges
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, November 1998

God's Word Contains All Things Necessary
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 1998

In Giving of Ourselves We Find the Joy of Following Jesus
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 1998

On Food and Festivals
Pot roast, potato dumplings, soft pretzels and soup beans
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, May 1998

We Don't Create Visions, We Receive Them
On anxiety, visions, waiting on God, and Sharing the Bread
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 1998

Soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous...
What Shield Do the Joyous Need?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, March 1998

Do We Want to be Healed?
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, February 1998

Remember Father Gene Patton
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, December 1997

How to Make People Suffer and Feel Good About Yourself
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, November 1997

Business as Usual is Not Good Enough
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October, 1997

Convention ... For the Rest of Us
Bishop Paul Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 1997

On (Re)Joining the Human Race
Reflections from the back nine
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, July/August 1997

With My Body I Thee Worship
By Bishop Paul Marshall
Diocesan Life, June 1997

When An Ending Is A Beginning
By Bishop Paul Marshall
Diocesan Life, May 1997

On recognizing our destiny
A Story for Easter
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, April 1997

On Having the Last Word
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, March 1997

Lent... Saints... and Style
Bishop Paul V.Marshall
Diocesan Life, February 1997

Wanted:  A Few Good Magi
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, January 1997

Where Do You Find the Episcopal Church Story?
Whom Do You Trust?

Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, December 1996

Christ Calls Us to Radical Living
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, November 1996

Discipleship is Not for Wimps
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, October 1996

Miners Labored for the Community in a World of Dim Carbide Lamps
Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 1996

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