The Pastoral Is Political: Holy Anger

Let’s talk about that dirty “A” word the Church so often dislikes… In the Church, we try to avoid “anger” like that mask-less person on the train who will just not stop coughing. I’ll never forget when I was in my first year of college and attended a retreat that was put on by the… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: Affirming Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Youth

New research shows that LGBTQIA+ youth have been experiencing an incredible amount of distress during the pandemic.  According to the Trevor Project: “42% of LGBTQ youth, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Yet, nearly half could not access the mental health care they desired.  More than… Read More

The Pastoral is Political: Hope in a Pandemic

On Monday, March 16, my grandmother fell in her care center, and her health declined quickly that day.  Due to covid-19, her care center was on lockdown and would not allow outside visitors to ensure that residents do not catch the virus.  While I completely understand this lockdown was necessary for the sake of all… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: End White Supremacy in the White House

Last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center released an incredibly important report that seemed to fall under the radar as the media focused on details about the impeachment hearings. In the report, we learned that Katie McHugh – former editor of the alt-right Breitbart News publication – leaked over 900 emails that Stephen Miller sent… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: Free Pastor Betty Rendón!

Last Wednesday night, I gathered with ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod Bishop Paul Erickson and a couple hundred clergy and community members outside of the Kenosha Detention Center for a prayer vigil. That morning I found out that ELCA Synodical Minister: Pastor Betty Rendón, her husband, nephew, and daughter were arrested and detained on May 8.… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: Let’s Talk About Bisexuality

“I don’t want to hide anymore.” These are the words I have been saying to myself (and my therapist) a lot this past year and a half. You see, I am bisexual, and in September 2017, I started the process of coming out: first to my husband and close family, then to some of my… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: Be Alert this Advent

Yesterday we entered the season of Advent, a time in the church calendar where we are called to slow down and simplify our lives as we wait and prepare for the coming of Jesus, the One who came to us in the flesh as a refugee baby 2000 years ago and who will one day… Read More

The Pastoral Is Political: #BurnCandlesNotRainbows

Chicago Priest Burns Rainbow Banner: On Sept. 14, Father Paul Kalchik, priest at Resurrection Catholic Church in the neighborhood of Avondale in Chicago took a church banner that displayed a rainbow and a cross, cut it into pieces, and burned it in the Easter Vigil fire pit in front of a few congregation members. In… Read More

The Pastoral is Political: Parkland, Gun Control, and Following our Youth’s Lead

Another tragedy. Another mass shooting. Another 14 teenagers and 3 faculty/administrators senselessly killed by gun violence in the middle of a school day inside their school. We know how the pattern usually goes from here: Mass shooting.  – “Thoughts and prayers.” – A push for gun control. A pushback against the discussion about gun control: “It’s too… Read More