These days, I’m filled with anger. As someone who is dealing with an autoimmune illness and trying to function in a Covid-infested world, I struggle. I’m embarrassed to say that my greatest struggle is the anger I have towards the people who have chosen not to get the vaccine and the ones who refuse to… Read More
Pastor is Political: Once More, Dear Friends
There is an increasing feeling in my small congregation of mostly seniors that they are done with this continuing crisis. Done, meaning, done with. Tired of. They want everything to go back to some worldwide pre-set, pre-2020, Like, in some totally massive multi-player video game. Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Pain Is Real
Pain is real. As someone who has dealt with endometriosis and other autoimmune issues, I can attest that daily distracting body pains are part of my existence. I’ve been extremely fortunate. While I’ve had some doctors brush off my pain, telling me that an anti-depressant will help with the pain (it didn’t), my pain was… Read More
Thursday Prayer: blessed are reconnections
Blessed are the reconnections: the sharing of a conversation in the garden, the carefully-spaced worshippers all in a room together, the fully-vaccinated family members who can finally hug. Blessed are the reconnections: the “how are you doing?” text, the “thinking of you” note in the mail, the “I miss you” phone call. Blessed are the… Read More
Thursday Prayer: Maundy Thursday
Dear God, A year ago I write a Maundy Thursday prayer when we were just learning how to shelter in place, how to worship in place. I did not imagine that we would still be learning: about hybrid worship, about how to clean the church to Covid-standards between services, about public health and epidemiology. So… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: About That Vaccine Queue
It was the close of our worship committee zoom, as we shared joys and concerns before closing in prayer. Faces lit up with hope and joy as they described claiming an elusive appointment or actually getting jabbed with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. I shared my gratitude for the science that is about… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Are we the Pharisees? (Luke 6:1-16)
This week, in the Narrative Lectionary, we encounter the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees for the first time. This conflict has been brewing for a while (see chapter 5), but it escalates here with the discussion over what can, and cannot, be done on the Sabbath day. As a preacher it may be tempting… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political – The Impromptu Journey Back
I refuse to believe that I am alone in revising my life and reassessing goals on the fly. I had a different plan but join me on this impromptu, unplanned journey back into 2020 with hopes for an improved 2021 ahead. I had to let go of what I wanted and initially dreamed of embracing the gems of the reality of 2020. Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: playground politics
In this Advent season of waiting, preparation and anticipation, the world has waited in eager anticipation for a cure, or at least a vaccine for Covid-19. It has taken global efforts and the co-operation of scientists to produce a vaccine. In the last week, people in the UK have received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This should… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Quit the playground politics
As I sat and stared at a blank screen this morning, I wondered what to write about. On my Twitter feed I had read a tweet about the Presidential debate last night. Now as an outsider (being in Scotland) I wanted to avoid saying anything about the election that takes place in just a few… Read More
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