November 2025

Blue marbles.

A few weeks back I attended a conference at Moss Landing, CA led by Rev. Lindsay Harren-Lewis and Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner (who will be at John Knox November 16). We talked about prayer, spiritual practices, wonder, stewardship, whale song and paying attention to how the Spirit of God is at work. We met at a Marine Life Studies Center. The first day there, Jess and I noticed in the gift shop Blue Marbles in a basket for $5.00 each. The Blue Marble Project was launched by a college friend named Jay Nichols. Jay and I played guitar for many chapel services at DePauw and while on a mission trip to Peru had a chance to sing with and learn from the Bora Indian tribe. Over the years we received updates on Jay and his work with the oceans and have poured through his book Blue Mind. But last summer Jay died, and our hearts broke. Jay’s vision was that the blue marble one possessed would be shared with someone who was respectful and protective of oceanic life. After a whale watching excursion, I gave the marble to a woman who was witnessing humpback whales for the first time.

I think often of Jay, the foundation he has created, and how his faith found expression through oceanic advocacy. I think of how much it meant to pass the blue marble on to the new lover of whales.

I wonder what expressions our faith takes?

I see so many varied expressions of faith here at John Knox. You are advocates for the needy and vulnerable. You care for each other, visit the sick, provide meals and prayers. You speak out for what is just and right. You pray, study, worship and give so that our ministries thrive. You give the love of Jesus in word and deed and encourage others to pass it along.

I am so thankful for whale song, our shared sense of wonder, the depth of your devotion and the countless ways the Spirit keeps catching us by surprise and leading us forward in faith, hope and love.

Tom