The Growth Of Deathbed Choirs, Pope Slams 'Slave Labor'

May 2, 2013 Subscribe · Forward The Growth Of Deathbed Choirs WASHINGTON -- Always face the person in the chair. Sense their breath, the rising and falling of the lungs, the blood's flush on the cheeks. Watch the loosening and tightening of the muscles, the movement of the eyelids, how the hair on their arms straightens up. Don't stand out. Speak softly. Blend in with the voices. This was the advice of Ellen Synakowski to members of the Washington, D.C., Threshold Choir, only a few months into its existence. Their job: to use song to comfort the dying through the end of life. As if repeating a mantra, they sang in unison as they rehearsed: "It's alright, you can go/ Your memories are safe with us/ It's alright, you can go/ Your memories are safe with us." "Words are good for many things, but they don't seem sufficient when it comes to death. The feelings are just too deeply intense and words are too inadequate," said Synakowski, a 55-year-old former academic journal editor who has always had a hobby of singing, whether it's to the car radio or in a community chorus. "But music … music can reach those places where words alone can't go." Continue reading... Pope Francis Condemns 'Slave Labor' As Going Against God First Hebrew How-To For Orthodox Jews Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI To Return To The Vatican LOOK: Mysterious Hebrew Stone Unveiled Does Homeless Man's 'Test' Prove Atheists Most Generous? American Female Converts To Islam Facing Growing Scrutiny Does Homeless Man's 'Test' Prove Atheists Most Generous? LOOK: Mysterious Hebrew Stone Unveiled Does Homeless Man's 'Test' Prove Atheists Most Generous? Is God Guilty? Facing The Trauma And Embarking On The Healing Journey: An Interview With Michael Lapsley DIANA BUTLER BASS RIP: The Death of Protestant Politics Political power and devout faith are a potent and sometimes oft-putting blend. It is all-too-easy to gain the world but lose the soul. Continue reading... BYRON WILLIAMS Chris Broussard is an NBA reporter, not a public theologian  Continue reading... REV. MICHAEL DOWD Idolatry of the Written Word Christianity is shipwrecked on the rock of "biblical authority." Twelve hundred people a day leave the church. The Bible, once an asset, has become a liability. Continue reading... REV. MALCOLM BOYD Gay Writing Celebration Salutes Aging, Honors Pioneers American culture is perceptibly aging. This was evident April 27 when West Hollywood celebrated Lambda Literary Foundations 25th annual benefit "A Celebration of LGBT Literary Pioneers." The evening was a smashing success, often touching beyond belief, and had standing room only. Continue reading... MATT YODER A Personal Response to Chris Broussard The Christian face of the reaction, at least in the sports world, is someone saying Collins should not be considered a Christian. That is not something I can silently stand by and watch happen because it is not consistent with the ministry of Christ. Continue reading... Received this from a friend? Sign up for alerts from The Huffington Post here. Unsubscribe here. Huffington Post, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003