Through all the trials and tribulations, the anxiety and fear, the changes and challenges, the loss and the grief, the endlessness of these days, may peace come. may peace come, if only for a moment. may peace come like a gentle breeze like the soft breath of a baby may peace come like the stillness… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: What is God asking
This summer my congregation and I have been engaging a sermon dialogue time. We are doing this to help us all listen more deeply for God. To do this I ask them to listen for three things in the readings: What word, image, or phrase stands out for them. I ask them to pay attention… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
The heat of August, Michigan, USA, to be precise, heavy, muggy air filled with the clamor of cicadas singing their mating song. Occasionally broken by the violence of a cicada wasp, stinging dying, implanting, in order for another life. Google it. Garden vegetables of lush, thick vines, or bolting lettuce, and toppling tomatoes demanding to… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Holy and mysterious God, be present with us in these times of distress. Comfort us. Walk with us through the tragedy of the violence. Help us see our role in the violence of this world. Let us not be agents of injustice, not be spectators to tragedy, but help us be part of the healing.… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: To Do and To Be
Along with a group of clergy colleagues I am reading the book “Down Girl, The Logic of Misogyny” by Kate Manne. The book begins with stories about violence against women but then moves into a philosophical discussion and assessment of sexism and misogyny with some commentary on misogynoir (misogyny directed to women of color). It… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Footprints in the sand
Ten years ago I lived on the foothills of the Santa Ritas, a small mountain range in southern Arizona. Backyards were separated by deep rocky crevices called arroyos, ancient pathways for rain water that runs off the mountains during the summer monsoon season. The arroyos are vital to the environment, providing greenery for food and… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
(Photo by Terri C. Pilarski) God. Oh my God, where are you? I am lost and so alone. Hear my prayer. God. Oh my. God? Where am I? Alone? Forgotten? Abandoned…. God. My hope. My only hope. Hear my cry, my plea Hear my prayer. God. In you I put my trust. In you I… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God our Mother birthing new life through chaos God our Father building hope from the dark night God our Sister comfort us in times of sorrow God our Brother guide us through the storms, calm water God of the Night brighten our darkdays, with Your warm light God of the Day show us the way,… Read More
Tuesday Prayer: after Pentecost
Breathe on me breath of God Fill me with life anew that I may love what you do love and do what you would do. This hymn has been my earworm for Pentecost A time of ordinations of life transitions of challenges and hope. Help me, Oh God to live as the person you call… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
There are words inside of me, challenging, difficult words emotional, reactive words words that reveal my fear words that rise up again because I am confronted with old emotions, long resolved – or so I thought – which need to be worked through again. What do I do with these words? If I keep them… Read More
