Clergy Take Up Blogging

Link to February 24 Wisconsin State Journal article, "Thou Shalt Blog: Madison-area religious leaders go high-tech".

Excerpt: Several years ago, the Rev. Rick Heilman, a priest in the Madison Catholic Diocese, started jotting down occasional reflections and e-mailing them to a handful of friends.

When the list of people who wanted to read his e-mails grew to more than 200, he created the blog "Mary's Anawim." [Most recent post, 2/23/2010.] The Hebrew word refers to "the poor ones" who remain faithful to God in difficult times.

Now, three years later, he posts almost daily and has acquired a following with his ardent defense of Catholicism and Madison Bishop Robert Morlino.

If the Vatican is handing out gold stars, Heilman likely will get one. In January, Pope Benedict XVI urged priests to embrace new communication tools, including blogging, saying digital technology can "open up broad new vistas" for dialogue and evangelism.

Other blogs noted in article:

"Dancing Rev: Thoughts and Reflections" by Tisha Brown, pastor of Community of Hope United Church of Christ in Madison. (Most recent post, 2/3/2010)

"United Methodeviations", by Rev. Dan Dick, 51, of Sun Prairie, director of connectional ministries for the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. (Most recent post, 2/23/2010)

"Fresh Read" by Rev. David Carlson, 53, pastor of Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Madison.
(Most recent post, 2/23/2010)

"The Irreverent Rev" by Rev. Amanda Stein, 38, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison . (Most recent post, 11/9/2009)

"Scriptura et Ecclesia" by Rev. Brian Dulli of Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Parish in Sun Prairie. (Most recent post, 2/22/2010)

"Fr. Jonathan's Blog" by the Rev. Jonathan Grieser of Grace Episcopal Church in Madison. (Most recent post, 2/23/2010)

"Pastor's Blog Entries" by the Rev. Jeff Vanden Heuvel of Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison. (Most recent post, 3/18/2010)