Friday prayer: for all the saints

All Saints’ Day feels particularly personal to me this year, having lost my father just a couple of weeks ago. I am sad that I no longer experience his physical presence, and I celebrate the constant support he gave me, the ways he taught me to work hard and be curious, the delight he showed… Read More

RCL: Advent 2 – Comfort and Peace

Here we are at the second Sunday of Advent, traditionally the Sunday of Peace. You may be using different themes for you Advent Sundays and still choosing the lectionary. These texts speak to the chaos and challenge of today as much as they ever did, particularly the Isaiah and Gospel texts. Isaiah begins with a… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: Comfort, Comfort (Isaiah 40:1-11)

When I think about this peculiar preaching profession, I always consider my time in the pulpit as pastoral care. I know there are other models, other types of preaching, but pastoral care is my go-to. There’s hardly a better passage to think about pastoral care than this week’s Narrative Lectionary text, Isaiah 40:1-11. Check out… Read More

Wednesday Prayer

For those of us who mourn deeply and sometimes in secret this season, grant comfort For those of us whose history gets forgotten with holiday cheer, grant justice For those of us who are alone and have been banished from community and table, grant love We need you, O God. For those of us who… Read More

Friday Prayer: Overpacking

God- You and I both know that I am over-packer. Three pairs of pants when one would be fine. More underwear than necessary because who, but You, knows what might happen. Several books, craft projects, and two journals because I always end up with extra free time… except that I don’t. It seems likely that… Read More