Before the piled-up crumbs on this second-hand table, And the not insignificant clumps of dog hair collecting around the bottom of this chair, Work up their nerve and finally attack, Let me admit, I am overwhelmed. The hurts of the world, The pains of my dear ones, The cries of your beloveds, I am overwhelmed.… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Showing Compassion While Respecting Pastoral Boundaries
There’s formal “Boundary Training” for pastors, and then there are the real-life boundary tests that pop up along the way. Here’s one: Dear Matriarchs, I’m pastoring a tiny church (as in 18 members). There’s a family who were very active and beloved before I came who have now moved away. Because of their love for… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Loneliness & Abundance
It is important to note that many people struggle with infertility. That for those in our congregation, of all ages, the struggle to conceive a baby is real. Who knows how many miscarriages Sarah had. Who knows if Sarah was one of those who’s body never quite worked right. There are those who long for… Read More
Wits-Ends-Day: Sharpie-Enhanced-Ministry Edition
While altering a National Weather Service hurricane map is . . . not cool, . . . the incident did get me thinking about how useful it could be in our ministry settings if we could, in fact, alter reality with a Sharpie. So here are some Sharpie edits you could make to enhance your… Read More
Wednesday Prayer: The legacy of ashes
I remember the morning: Blue sky, no clouds. The air was crisp, Until it filled with ash. I want to claim the positives, Would not minimize the goodness And courage lived that day, By firefighters and chaplains, Bond traders and secretaries, By soon-to-be ghosts who Left voice mails of love. Yet I cannot ignore The… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
My heart continues to sting from losing my dad, peaceful God. My soul is not quite as vivacious, and the innocence I felt before his death has drifted away. Grief robs us of possibilities of the future. Grief fogs up the lens we use to see the world. Our universe is smaller and sadder. Pour… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Lost and Found
Years before I was out to my congregation, Friend A approached Friend B, and said, “I think Pat R. is gay.” Friend B, who knew full well that I was indeed in a relationship with another woman said, “Well, what makes you think that?” Friend A replied, “I saw her at the Pride worship service!”… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Turn out the lights
Light pollution is one visible symptom of our undoing of the order of Creation. The separation of day and night is countered by round-the-clock activity and artificial illumination. We refuse to submit ourselves to the bounds that God set for us. We have rebelled from the beginning. But this past weekend, for a brief moment, I glimpsed hope. Read More
Monday Prayer
Precious Holy, It is another Monday; another week begins… Holy One – it feels like the world is full of unhappiness and fear… We read our newsfeeds, our social media and it seems everywhere is hate, is betrayal, is sadness… But. If we look a little deeper If we change our outlook just a little…… Read More
Sunday Prayer
Ah, Holy One, You are merciful and just in all of your ways, You teach us about righteousness and love day by day. You are our Light, You season the world with hope and grace. Season our minds and hearts With the courage of your mercy, With the strength of your righteousness, so that we… Read More
