I planned on writing about the death penalty, the murder of Colleen Slemmer and the botched execution of Christa Pike late last month. But as I started, I realized two things. First, plenty of people way smarter than myself have already said anything I would want to say. Second, that’s not what this column is about.
So I thought I’d use this third installation of “Finding Faith Anew” to tell you who I am and what to expect.
I run Pennington’s Books in Southside, a bookstore, coffee shop and art gallery that I started in April with my fiance, Ellie. Before that I was a technical writer at iFixit, a hardware repair company that opened their Chattanooga office a few years ago. (No, not that place you took your phone to get the screen fixed.) I’ve also been a community college adjunct, math teacher, salesperson, content writer, substitute teacher, library assistant, barista, food truck cashier, pizza delivery guy and Lifeway bookstore sales associate (back when they had actual stores).
I have a pair of bachelor’s degrees from the University of Alabama, a Master of Urban Education from Union University, and a Master of Writing from the University of North Alabama. I love reading, if you hadn’t already guessed that, and writing fiction. I’m also an avid collector of hobbies, which recently include playing the mandolin, knitting and growing bonsai. But please don’t ask me how my plants are doing.
Notably absent is any kind of religious training or formal affiliation, or even any particularly notable religious experiences. And that’s kind of the point. Of course, “faith and family” sections should include perspectives from people whose lives are dedicated, in part or in whole, to their faith — including clergy, leaders of faith-based organizations and so on. But there are plenty of people living ordinary lives while still looking for a little something more that are just as important to our collective practice of faith. I’m in that group.