Precious Holy… Life throws us curve balls when we least expect them And sometime we package it all up… “Leave it for now… I’ll come back to That Thing later” For all the Things that are tucked away in a box for later We Pray For all the times when we want to jump in… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: acting on faith
Somehow, it’s already Saturday. Or for some among us, it’s already Saturday night. Sunday’s coming, friends, whether we are ready or not! Whether you are working on what it means to have faith the size of a mustard seed (RCL commentary is here), or the Ten Commandments and the idea of teaching the next generations… Read More
Ordiversary Party: October!
Happy October Ordiversaries!! This is my own ordiversary month, so I hope you all are celebrating in extra Enneagram-7 style. This month’s party is being kicked off by the ever-delightful Pat Raube, who is the pastor of Union Presbyterian in Endicott, NY. She has a pretty awesome story, in addition to being fabulous herself, so… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: The Law and the Shema (Deut 5:1-21 and 6:4-9)
This Sunday’s text is the second telling of the Ten Commandments, the telling of the commandments just before the Israelites enter the land of milk and honey. So this is not the generation that left Egypt, most of them are dead, but the next generation, the ones who will inherit the land. You can find… Read More
Saturday prayer – For Those In Meetings
Dear God – We gather around tables, we invoke Your name and then we begin. We listen. We speak. We raise our hands in affirmation. We caffeinate. We take notes. We decide. And in all these things, we are striving after You – straining to know Your will for us. Bless the work we are… Read More
Friday Prayer
Dear God- [pause] [pause] [pause] [long pause] [Do these really count as pauses anymore or just a block of silence?] Dear God- I want to pray, but I’m both overwhelmed and drained. Even with the Spirit’s intercession, my prayers are one long sigh and silence. Such as they are, please receive them. And, in your… Read More
Thursday Prayer
As I sit behind the multiple locked doors of this fine church building, in a city where gates and fences, and systems and policies, keep people from really seeing, hearing, and knowing each other, as I work on our budget, and fill in each little box, each line item, O God, help me to dream.… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Pastoring the Church Matriarch
This week’s question for our RevGal Matriarchs is about a congregational matriarch. Dear Matriarchs: In my small, aging (worship around 60 people) PCUSA congregation there are basically 2 matriarchs. One of them is enlarging her territory and I’d like ideas on how to limit her. She is already clerk of the session, moderates mission committee,… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of All Creation, Extreme heat is overtaking seasons usually filled with cool breezes And a multitude of tropical depressions are swirling in the Atlantic. I’m fairly certain your creation is groaning in labor pains But I know it won’t give birth to healthy fruit. Yes, someday your glory on that side of heaven will… Read More
RCL: Trusting God’s Promises (for real)
I don’t know about you, but I’m having some difficulty staying focused. There’s the Sunday School plans, the stewardship campaign, the funeral services, the special worship services, the Bible studies, and don’t forget Advent will soon be upon us. And have you completed your review of the draft budget? Oh, and what about sabbatical planning… Read More
