The Lectionary readings this week give us lots of options – as ever. From Jesus withdrawing for a time, his calling the disciples, a controversial healing that resulted in loss of income for a community, a plea for peace in the early church community – all providing rich seams that have much to speak into… Read More
Friday Prayer: Sustain me, please
Dear God- It feels like another day- one more list of things to do, one more attempt to be mindful, a few more meals, reminders of what I haven’t accomplished. I hate to let any time go by without recognizing the beauty of the world, the possibilities of hope, the grace of moments. Unfortunately, though,… Read More
Friday Festival: A last visit
Reading through the blogs in our RevGalBlogPals community is like visiting with friends. This week, we take a ride with Kim at Sandpiper’s Thoughts and adjust our Expectations. I was riding the elevator this afternoon. There are expectations about elevator protocol, aren’t there? Are you like me, and I suspect like many other people, who… Read More
Thursday Prayer
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
