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By THE REV. RANDOLPH CALVO

Our Bible study group is reading currently from First Samuel. Israel petitions Samuel to anoint a king for them so that they may be “like other nations.” Samuel warns the people about the costly prerogatives kings, both good and evil, will assume. He finishes with the dire announcement that once kingship is established and they come to realize the truth of his warning, it will be too late to do anything. (1 Sam. 8:18)

By THE REV. JANET ADAIR HANSEN

Even back when I was ordained to Christian ministry more than 40 years ago, churches would get comments that they “were too political” or sometimes they “were not political enough.” In today’s widely divided society, when other viewpoints are not just seen as different but in a derogatory fashion, the divide between America’s two main political parties seems an unfathomable chasm. Many churches and clergy try to stay out of the fray, trying not to offend members or anyone else in the community. However, claiming to “not be political” is itself a political stance.

By THE REV. CINDY LAJOY

We awaken today to find the detritus of many a Fourth of July celebration scattered around us. We pick up leftover fireworks remnants, perhaps deal with trash piled high from barbecue remains, and we might even need to straighten bunting and streamers flying askew. We don’t give it much thought from year to year, but when you stop to think about it, July 5 is when the real work begins.

By MARK E. ELLIS

One of my favorite books is a novel by Wm. Paul Young called “Cross Roads.” It is about a man whose life is the embodiment of evil and self-centeredness. He is so evil that after he divorced his wife, he decided he hadn’t hurt her enough. So, he wooed her and married her again so he could divorce her again and inflict more pain and damage on her.

By THE REV. JASON A. BURNS

I have met people from all walks of life: wealthy, homeless, famous, not-so-famous, and most everything in between. I have had people tell me their life story while sitting at my son’s Tae Kwon Do practice and I still feel the pain of losing someone who didn’t share the more difficult parts of their life with me. The common denominator in my experiencing of people is that we all long for connection. The people who have shared their stories with me did so not because I could do anything about anything, but because they sensed that I was willing to listen, and the truth is that I was and am willing to listen.

By PASTOR BENJIMAN DURFEE

The other day, as the submission date for this column loomed, I opened up the Artificial Intelligence app ChatGPT and asked: “What would readers of a newspaper in Franklin County, Massachusetts want to read in a Faith column written by a Christian clergyperson?”

By DOMENIC POLI

It’s long been said that to sing is to pray twice. And a group of Catholic clergymen in western Massachusetts that truly takes that sentiment to heart is slated to spread some cheer in Franklin County later this month.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

As Greenfield’s All Souls Church congregation gears up to celebrate its 200th anniversary with a day of worship and celebration, lunch and music on May 18, Chair of Worship Kate Mason and Membership and Heritage Committee member Russ Pirkot discussed the ever-changing role Unitarianism brought the for those wishing to break free from more restrictive religions.

By JAN FLASKA

The death of Papà Francesco — Pope Francis — has caught my attention for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he embodied and lived out the claim of a Roman Catholic universal truth that is intended to be both accessible to and attainable for every human being. As a teacher of religious studies, philosophy and ethics, and as a non-ordained dean of spiritual life, I am fascinated with the prospect that there may be some way in which all of us — yes, all of us — can embrace shared values and the colloquial common ground. In the spirit of those three realms — religious studies, philosophy and ethics — I offer these three named and representative, respectively, universal truths: natural law, human rights, and deontology.

By NICOLE WINFIELD

VATICAN CITY — Robert Prevost, an missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

By ALEXA LEWIS

As the cardinals in Vatican City prepare to begin a conclave to select a new pope on Wednesday, Bishop William Byrne of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield said that local Catholics are in a period of prayer as they eagerly await the election of “a joyful shepherd who will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.”

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

As Northfield’s Trinitarian Congregational Church celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, longtime and returning members were given the chance to reflect on the institution’s beginnings and how it has changed with time.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

LAKE PLEASANT — Following a six-month hiatus, The National Spiritual Alliance is coming out of hibernation.

By THE REV. CANDI ASHENDEN

There’s a moment in the Gospels when Jesus responds to a crowd demanding clarity. They say, “Just tell us who you are.” And Jesus responds, in essence, “I already have. I’ve shown you.” He points not to a theological argument, but to his actions — healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, challenging the powerful. He says: Look at all I have been doing. That tells you who I am.

By ALEXA LEWIS and SAMUEL GELINAS

A wave of mourning rolled through the local Catholic community on Monday following the news of Pope Francis’ death at the age of 88.

By THE REV. DR. CHRIS DAVIES

For people who identify as Christian, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is one of the most important weeks of our faith. Holy Saturday — today — is a day wherein we live in the darkness of Jesus’ death. So as we wait for hope on the horizon, I want to review this week in basic terms for those who are curious about the fundamentals of faith.

By KATHE GEIST and SUSAN SOLOMON

Faith can be seen as a glimmer of hope or light in an ever-changing world. How we enlarge and trust our faith is a question asked by many. How we define and find God in our own life can be a joyous spiritual journey.

By DOMENIC POLI

NEW SALEM — Chris Ames has been chosen as North Congregational Church’s interim pastor, replacing a man who held the job for more than half a century.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew is in need of significant repairs after high winds knocked off parts of the roof last week.