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
Tuesday Prayer
God of Naps and Hibernation- Oh- how tired my brain feels today. Could it be because I feel so overwhelmed? Am I dealing with a physical issue? I know I feel so stressed about so much! Why did you allow stress in our world? Might you fix this problem? Can you make it easier on… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of all that is- Can we take baby steps into our world yet? Can we enter spaces where all of your other children work and play? Could you help me discern God? Could you help all of our churches and businesses and all who participate in society know what steps to take to help… Read More
Pastoral Care and Health Care
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You are acquainted with all my ways. For it was you who formed my inward parts; I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:1-14… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Naaman gets treatment for coronavirus
While the intervention of kings made a political football out of the army commander’s illness, the faithful Elisha kept his mind on his ministry, which was to demonstrate to the world that God’s power is present, God’s mercy is manifest, and that keeping to one’s house, advocating for frequent (hand) washing, donning the mask of humility, and protecting the integrity of one’s position as a prophet and a pastor are potent means to unleashing the change of circumstances for which we all thirst, and hunger, and pray. Read More
