The people endured. Despite their oppression. Despite their hunger. Despite the violence and the anger and the fear. They held on. And there was this tiny hope. This warmth, this comfort, this direction, this companionship. This YOU. It was you, who didn’t leave them alone in the chaos. It was you, who didn’t let them… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Retired Clergy Seeking Welcoming Congregation for Church Home
Calling all pastors of “We are a friendly church.” What experience do first -time visitors really have when they come through your doors? What if that person is clergy seeking a church home. Today we hear from a retired clergy woman who is starting to wonder if she ever will find her place to worship… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
In the stillness of the morning, before the rising of the sun, I seek the movement of your Holy Spirit Cover me Move me Stir up love Compel me to action Draw me closer To love To joy To possibility To justice To my siblings To the beauty around me Within me To You Back… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of the Smiles and Eye Rolls- Oh we’ve had “a day” Life seemed a bit off, And our bodies ached a little too much. Our to-do list was left unfinished, And the phone call we were to make… well… it wasn’t. The blog post was completed later than expected, And the visit must wait… Read More
RCL: Withdraw to Galilee
I could write an entire sermon on the first verse from this week’s Revised Common Lectionary Gospel reading. When Jesus heard bad news, he withdrew and regrouped. Can you relate? Have you ever been in Jesus’ shoes? Sometimes we receive news that shatters our understanding of reality. We have to retreat for a beat, before… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Pigs and Prejudice (Mark 5:1-20)
Having a favorite Bible passage is as ill-advised as having a favorite child, but if I did have a favorite, this intriguing story would be a strong contender. It has everything: conflict, healing, payback, revelation, and even traveling pigs. Read the scripture here. Read the Working Preacher commentary. The story unfolds like a movie, with… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: A White Person Walks into a Bar and a Melanated Person Sings a Psalm
In the United States it is the Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration and one of three hundred and sixty-six days this year to think about race. We sing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” the poem by James Weldon Johnson set to music by John Rosamond Johnson, but I’m not sure it is good today to… Read More
Monday Prayer
Precious Holy, Holy moments holy words holy water holy blessing holy love holy parents holy child holy of holies bless our actions bless our words bless our journey bless our service bless us today and always amen Julie Rennick is a Church of Scotland minister serving in the “Central Belt” of Scotland. The baby… Read More
Sunday Prayer: come and see
We are looking, God.
We are looking everywhere.
Sometimes,
we think we see glimpses
of your glory,
but then it seems to disappear
before our very eyes. Read More
Saturday Prayer: Winnie the Pooh Day
You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. AA Milne God, take me on a walk today with my feet or heart or fingers across the newsfeed — not with my own purpose, (as if I have set my Waze… Read More
