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
11th Hour Preacher Party: The End, almost…
(Photo by Terri Pilarski) Two more Sundays and we’ve concluded another long season after the Pentecost. The readings, if one is following the RCL, are sounding doom and gloom and pointing to the end of all things. The world around many of us kind of looks that way too: wild fires, snowstorms, and… Read More
Tuesday Prayer: What if…
(Photo by Dan Pilarski, Deception Pass, Washington) What if the basic element of life all life, human life and plant life animal life and life beyond this planet what if the basic element of all life is love, emanating through our heart pulsing out into the universe affecting every thing and every one? Love. What… Read More
Tuesday Prayer: Wishes
photo by Terri Pilarski I wish I could capture the gentle morning light soft lavender and pink, caressing the green trees that hold a hint of fall, a little red and yellow I wish I could capture the peace of early light the song of birds waking and rabbits nibbling clover signs that life… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Called to…
(Photo by Terri Pilarski, Deception Pass, Washington State) I am not preaching this Sunday, so I am a little less invested in the texts than I might be otherwise….however, I know that I always struggle as we come to the end of the long season after Pentecost. I follow the RCL and we are heading… Read More
Tuesday Prayer: Will God Come?
Photo by Terri C. Pilarski On a hot September night you found your way into the church, and knelt at the foot of the altar, below the cross. I came to you, laid my hand on your shoulder and asked what I could do to help. “I just want to pray”, you said. Later you… Read More
Tuesday Prayer: No Words
(photo of Antelope Island, The Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, Utah, by Terri Pilarski) On this Tuesday morning, I feel beaten and broken, and worn thin from the non-stop struggle of working for justice and to minimize the damage being done by those who believe that justice is only for a select few… Read More
