God our Mother birthing new life through chaos God our Father building hope from the bleak night God our Sister comfort us in times of sorrow God our Brother guide us through the storms, calm water God of the Night source of all, hope prevails God of the Day show us the way, love as… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: late edition
I’m late! It was my birthday yesterday and I got caught up with festivities and some crisis and this party slipped my mind. But here we are. I’m making homemade cinnamon rolls and hosting the party. There’s plenty of coffee too. So pull up a chair and let’s share our ideas for our sermons tomorrow.… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God calls me and you to a vocation, a life of meaning., meaning-ful. A life of many vocations to live in relationship to work in the world to serve others to be the hands and heart of Christ. God calls us and God goes with us God will provide us with words and the ability… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
I remember waiting for a bus- Clark Street in Chicago for over an hour, in bitter cold temperatures on my way to work. Always the expectation that the bus was just around the corner, would arrive soon. And, when it did, so crowded that I could barely squeeze on. I’d lean into the buildings, gathering… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: What did you hear?
I am in Chicago at the seminary that I graduated from with an M.Div nearly 20 years ago, attending a class lead by Eric Law on Diversity and Context – diversity in congregations. I am with a group of M.Div student and D.Min students, along with a parishioner of mine, my curate, and me –… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
For the speechless tongues of those oppressed For weak hands, feeble knees, widowed, spirits Made lame, we pray For those orphaned from war, violence, fear Parentless children, silent, stifled cries. For the hungry, we pray For wives, beaten, abused, trampled, shot Spirits abandoned, imprisoned by fear. For Women, we pray In the dry land of… Read More
Pastoral is Political: For the love of God
A few years ago I began an exploration on spirituality with members of the church where I am the priest. We asked questions like, “What is spirituality?” and, “What does spirituality mean to you.” Almost to a person I heard, “I yearn for deeper spirituality”. And yet, none of us could really articulate what that… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Bearing Worthy Fruits
I’ve been reading Fleming Rutledge’s book, “Advent” and finding it provocative. Rutledge is an Episcopal priest with a theology that falls into the Calvinist vein, she argues that there is nothing we human’s can do, only God can bring forth transformation. She writes that Advent is the season that points the church toward the second… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Holy and Gracious One, God of our Mothers and Fathers, we give you thanks, this day and every day. Thank you for this gift of life, a precious blessing, a hope – that we may magnify Your Name. Be with us as we labor through this life. Be with us as we struggle through pain.… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
(image created by Terri C. Pilarski for the former Episcopal Women’s Caucus) God of life, creator of all Who reached into the swirling mass of chaos and pulled forth order, day and night, land and sea, moon and sun Who made humankind in Your likeness, All kinds of humans, in every shade and every size,… Read More
