Fred Rogers can hardly be called an “unsung” hero, but there are few who appreciate how deep were the roots of his wisdom and spirit.  He was one of my predecessors in the Presbyterian ministry.  He, more publicly than any other Presbyterian in recent memory, embodied the Reformed tradition’s commitments to worldly spirituality and the sacredness of all life.  Shortly after his ordination, Mr. Rogers realized that he hated preaching, so he pursued his ministry in the TV studio rather than the church.  His message was never explicitly religious, but he communicated the kind of universal spiritual values that continue to shape multiple generations of children.  I’m proud to be his posthumous colleague in the Presbyterian Church.

Here’s a wonderfully autotuned video produced by PBS: