“For it is not the deed itself, but the intention of the doer, that makes the sin.” —Peter Abelard (1079 -1142) Source: Peter Abelard, Ethics (Scito te ipsum), trans. D. E. Luscombe (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971), 6. Reflection: How might examining my intentions before I speak help me communicate with greater integrity, charity, or clarity?
A Prayer for Seeking God, from Anselm of Canterbury, 12th Century
“Teach me to seek You, and reveal Yourself to me as I seek; for I cannot seek You unless You teach me, nor find You unless You reveal Yourself.” —Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109) Source: Anselm of Canterbury, Proslogion, trans. Thomas Williams (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995), 82. Reflection: How might seeking God first reshape the way I speak, teach, or communicate …
CCSN’s first-ever Chaplain in Residence, Dr. Tom Carmody
Please join us in welcoming Thomas J. Carmody (PhD, Regent University) as the CCSN’s first-ever Chaplain in Residence. Dr. Carmody currently serves as a Professor of Communication in the Communication Department of the Patty Arvielo School Business and Management at Vanguard University where he has taught for over 35 years. His research focus ranges from nineteenth-century American sermonic rhetoric, comic …
End-of-year thanks, and Invitation
Greetings, CCSN Community. As the year comes to a close, we wish you a very blessed Christmas celebration, and that you and yours enter 2026 with joy! We want to thank you for your support of the CCSN community and invite you to continue to support our efforts moving forward. As you know, like any non-profit, everything we are able …
Quote of the week, A Call to Integrity of Speech, by Bede the Venerable, 8th Century
“If you would be perfect, strive to have no word in your mouth which is not in your heart.” — Bede the Venerable (c. 672 – 735) Source: Bede the Venerable, Homilies on the Gospels, trans. Lawrence T. Martin and David Hurst, C.S.B., Cistercian Studies 110 (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1991), 2:14. Reflection: Where might I be tempted to let …
A Prayer for Guarded Speech, John of Damascus, 8th Century
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door of enclosure round about my lips. Bend not my heart to words of evil.” — John of Damascus (c. 675 – 749) Source: John of Damascus, On the Virtues and the Vices, in St. John Damascene: Writings, trans. Frederic H. Chase, Jr., Fathers of the Church 37 (Washington, DC: …
Quote of the Week, Calmness in Communication, by John Wesley, 18th Century
*“Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry, because I never undertake more work than I can go through with perfect calmness of spirit.” –John Wesley (1703-1791) Source: John Wesley, The Letters of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., ed. John Telford, vol. 6 (London: Epworth Press, 1931), 127. Reflection: How might cultivating calmness of spirit in our …
A Prayer for Words of Witness, by Evelyn Underhill, 20th Century
“Lord, let my words carry Your reality. May my speech not be empty or self‑serving, but a witness to Your living presence. Teach me to communicate with humility, clarity, and love, so that others may encounter You through what I say and how I listen. Amen.” –Evelyn Underhill (1875 – 1941) Source: Evelyn Underhill, quoted in Jane Williams, “Theologians of …
Thank you for a great 2025, and a year-end invitation
Greetings, CCSN Community. As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for your support of the CCSN community and invite you to continue to support our efforts moving forward. As you know, like any non-profit, everything we are able to do and our long-term impact runs off the generosity of financial partners and donors who are …
A Year-end Invitation and Thank You
Greetings, CCSN Community. As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for your support of the CCSN community and invite you to continue to support our efforts moving forward. As you know, like any non-profit, everything we are able to do and our long-term impact runs off the generosity of financial partners and donors who are …
