Holy One, I made choices today. – how late I slept, what I ate, where I traveled. What tasks and chores I planned. (Or didn’t.) I realized as I made my choices that most of them were selfish, if not self-serving. I took notice of my family’s needs, not the world’s aches and pains. Forgive… Read More
Thursday Prayer
Dear God, for Ordinary Time’s chance to take a deep breath, we are grateful. Ordinary days reveal their common graces, and we thank you for the gift of the simple meals we so quickly forget, for the place we come to rest at night, and for the surrounding love of our friends. For the… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Spread the Word (Luke 7:1-17)
This week, millions of people around the globe are contending with COVID. Some are in hospitals on vents, and others are at home; some are desperately trying to recover, and others have mild symptoms. To the tremendous sorrow of friends and family, some of the sick will die, as millions of people around the globe… Read More
Friday Prayer
I don’t know if I fear the Lord as I ought, But I am in awe of the majesty of creation. I don’t know if I fear the Lord as I ought, But I tremble in the presence of grace. I don’t know if I fear the Lord as I ought, But I step out… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party
Preachers!! Here we go again… where are you all at this week? Do you have it all in the bag (and willing to share our ideas?!) are you struggling to be ready for a recording deadline; or a livestream; or have you managed to navigate all of the things to meet in person? Are you… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Loving God- You wind around each of our thoughts, infusing each image with love. Your light beams on each image which comes to the surface of our minds. Yet sometimes the words do not rise as they should. Sometimes words are hiding behind clouds of exhaustion, health issues, trauma, and fears. Our minds reach for… Read More
Friday Prayer
Consoling Spirit- For every spirit waiting for the other shoe to drop, we pray to you.For every person feeling the ache of slowly releasing muscles, we pray to you.For the peace of the souls who did not live to see this day, we pray to you. For those whose work made our todays possible, we… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Keeping Zoom Gatherings Populated
As we approach a year of living with COVID, how do we pastors evaluate the effectiveness of remote church gatherings? How do we understand attendance numbers? This pastor wants to know how to keep parishioners participating. Dear Matriarchs, This past week, I have been contemplating many things. One thing has been the question many have… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of all silence and noise, In our quiet sanctuaries, where a myriad of sounds have been absent for nearly a year, may the silence hold the stories of our faith communities until our return. May the Spirit of stillness pray for the ones who are lonely and the ones who are sick. May your… Read More
Friday Prayer
A Blessing for Those with Stress-Induced Lethargy In the muscle-tensed, frenetic exhaustion of your blank stare, May you know that you are not alone. In the numb doom-scrolling hours, May your senses be drawn to peace and joy. In the overwhelm of grief and frustration, May you be anchored in the truth of eternal love.… Read More