“From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages.”Exodus 17:1 “It is only the person who sins that shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4 Whichever Hebrew Bible lesson you’re using from this week’s Revised Common Lectionary, there’s an easy entre into the topic of sin. If that’s where you feel called to… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Time to breathe Time to reflect Time to connect Time to expand Time to live For this time we give you thanks We offer our time, our hearts, our hands and our vision to you, God Have your way May it all be for a blessing Amen. Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks (she/her/hers/ella) is a queer… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: taking care of those who are poor…
There’s a sort of synergy between the RCL and NL texts this week, as both offer us reminders of how to take care of people living with great hardship, but from very different angles. Or perhaps not that different? It’s also the last Sunday in Lent, with just Palm Sunday and Holy Week still ahead. In… Read More
Why I Give to RevGalBlogPals – #GivingTuesday2018
Giving Tuesday 2018 is here, and I have already named in my mind and heart the organizations I will support on this day. For some, I will write and mail checks. It makes me happy that others make it wonderfully simply to give on-line. Yes, on Giving Tuesday, 2018, I will make an on-line gift… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: A Rallying Cry (Joshua 24:1-15 [16-26])
I have participated in lots of rallies, marches, demonstrations, and protests over the years. This is what this week’s text reminds me of. Read it here. Like Joshua standing in front of the gathered people, moving stories are told. Lived experiences are shared. Rallying speeches are given. At every crowd gathering—call to actions are made… Read More
Thursday Prayer: for mechanics and musicians
For mechanics and musicians we give you grateful thanks; For street-sweepers and statisticians we give you grateful thanks; For receptionists and researchers we give you grateful thanks; For bakers and candle-makers we give you grateful thanks; For bus drivers and baristas we give you grateful thanks; For planners and pattern-makers we give you grateful thanks;… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: But Thomas
“But Thomas,” this phrase sticks with me. Poor Thomas was the exception, the one who missed it. Maybe that makes sense though. It was Thomas who was the first one willing to risk going back to Judea, even tho they tried to stone him the last time he was there John 11: 7-16. No one… Read More
RCL: Foolishness, Wisdom, and Community
Usually, Lent calms me. I realize that it’s okay, even necessary, to acknowledge my brokenness, my sharp edges, my weak places, and my overall need for God’s power and presence. It’s not working this year. Maybe because I have stopped trying to cover over or ignore those parts of me that aren’t so pretty or… Read More
The Ministry of RevGalBlogPals: worth every penny
I have been a member of RevGalBlogPals almost since the beginning. From a couple dozen friends reading each other’s blogs, through a centralised website where we shared ideas, to conferences and other continuing education events, to a facebook group of over 5,000…RGBP has been a crucial part of my life for my whole ministry. At… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: The You are Holy (so act like it) Edition
Pick a text, any text, this week and we’re confronted with who we are and how we are to be in this world. It can be a celebratory experience – we are holy because God is holy! And it can be a humbling experience – do we really love our neighbors as ourselves? In Deuteronmy… Read More