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
Monday Prayer
Blessed One, ’tis the season to be frantic with plans, and programs, and prayers, and intentions. Steer us toward the pathway followed by your Holy Family, where weary feet chose careful steps along rutted roads and rocky hillsides. Help us take rest where the path is smooth, and to find patience where the way is… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Waiting
Turn, O God! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ~Psalm 90:13-14 God of all places and times, we are waiting. We are waiting for your compassion to spread across your beautiful and broken world… 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
Friday Festival
The second week of Advent, and it seems everywhere I go, I get asked one of two questions: first: the old rubric that all ministers (priests/pastors/vicars) seem to get “this must be your busy time” second: the one that always makes me laugh, and bite me tongue: “What are you doing for Christmas?” among our… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Clergy Collar or Not?
This week’s question is about the advisability of wearing the clergy collar in a particular situation. Wearing the collar always sends some kind of message. The question this week wonders if wearing the collar might send an unintended message of bias to others. And what does the clergy collar say to the Rev who wears… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Holy Love, As I wade through these days of so much of everything, full and delicious, busy and tedious, raucous, hilarious, sorrowful and sweet, help me live in the balance of all that is before me. You have surrounded me with Love, and challenge, and life. And death. I am grateful for the journey. Amen.… Read More
Wits’-Ends-Day: Christmas Edition
‘Tis 2 weeks before Christmas with so much to do There’s no way you can finish without four of you. The sermons are nestled all snug in your head And refuse to come out in words to be said. The choir is flustered and singing off key, With just one more practice before Christmas Eve.… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Messy Feelings
The first time I ran across Isaiah 42 verse 1 was when I was preparing my mother’s homegoing service in November of 2002. The words, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights,” brought me some comfort and a bit of peace at the time. This morning, the more… Read More
