My heart is weighing me down today, God. Is it from my extreme anxiety over this virus and opening up buildings and programs again? Is it from the need to face our own mortality and not knowing how this disease will affect my body if I catch it? Is it from the 90,000 deaths in… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: Will We or Won’t We?
The pressure is on. The State of North Carolina implemented Phase 1 of its reopen plan on May 8, 2020. Some businesses can reopen with caveats: social distancing must be in place, extra cleaning must happen. State parks can reopen, but with limits on the number of people who can gather. Churches were to be… Read More
Saturday Prayer
God, there are many brighter, clearer, more beautiful pictures of cardinals on the Internet, but I meditate on this one to remind myself that I could only see it because I looked out of my window at my neighbor’s house. I only ease the headache, tight band of pain across the chest, dropped details, snap-at-a-child… Read More
Pastoral is Political: Near the Cross Was Mary Weeping
I’ve found myself drawn to images of the Marys at the foot of the cross. Death, particularly the death of someone you love, is hard to watch. I suppose it is a natural human instinct to look away or to hide from the grief and horror before you. It takes a spiritual hardiness to remain… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of our path- We don’t know what’s coming. We don’t know how this disease will spread or how it will impact our bodies- if we catch it. God of our road- The journey is long. Have we hit the wall on our run? Have we overestimated our energies? May we see this is a… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Oh the disappointment are piling up, God. From the musical tickets, To weddings, To the vacation up north this summer. Fill our hearts feeling empty by sorrow. Fill our worried souls with peace. May we find our tomorrows filled with joy- Even in the wilderness. Amen. ***** The Rev. Michelle L. Torigian is the Senior… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: Are We Really Ready to Open Back Up???
After watching videos of protesters in Lansing, Michigan and other videos and comments of people around the state and country demanding our country to reopen, I noticed my anxiety creeping up. Will their voices be loud enough to be taken seriously by the Powers That Be? Or do the Powers That Be already have their… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of All Feelings and Sensations- What is the tickle in my throat? Is it the virus? It that why I’m extra exhausted and why my temperature is slightly up? As my mind plays out all the horrific scenarios of getting the disease and it’s turn for the worst, God of love, ease my mind.… Read More
Thursday Prayer: about Covid-19, again.
Dear God, This is another coronavirus prayer. It seems impossible to talk to you about anything else without talking first about the pandemic. More than 1 million cases around the world now. A third of the globe’s population in some kind of lockdown. I know you know this, but all the conversations I have these… Read More
Tuesday Prayer – How Long?
Inspired by Psalm 13 How long, O God Will I have to stay in this house. How long will this quarantine keep me from hugs of friends and the embrace of my mom. How long, O God will I have to worry about catching this disease and concern myself of how severe it will capture… Read More
