Last week was New York’s fashion week, which always brings me joy, but is particularly elating since this means the COVID hiatus is over. Looking at the photos from the streets made my heart sing. And Fashion Week reminded me of that time in CPE (clinical pastoral education) when our group leader asked us if… Read More
THE PASTOR IS POLITICAL June 23, 2021
Is “Othering” our greatest sin? I am writing from rural Minnesota, and here in the U.S. there are quite a few “political” debates worth weighing in on, if you are a pastor. As usual, right? The U.S. is at odds with itself. On one channel, there are the ironic fights that pair Juneteenth support with… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Ashes to Ashes
Ashes with worship? Ashes all day? Ashes to go? Ashes with glitter? As the liturgical calendar winds its way certain discussions can be predicted. With Advent its advent candles colors. With Ash Wednesday it’s the way in which we make/dispense ashes. Ashes are political. They are symbolic word act of our very real inability to… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: The Person is Political
How many times have we heard—or even used—the words, “It isn’t personal”? Usually these words are used to apply procedural and policy guidelines to everyone regardless of who they are. And there is a sense in which that is fair and a good thing. Yet in another way, these words mean “I am not interested… Read More
The Pastor is Political – Patricia, Sarah, and the Women with (Some) Privilege
As Caucasian/white women, we are the Sarahs. We are the women with more privilege in our communities. Read More