Merianna Harrelson

I am the Pastor of Garden of Grace United Church of Christ in Columbia, SC and the Director of Consulting at Harrelson.Co. I am always looking for a good cup of coffee and a great book.

A Prayer for Advent

We cling to hope – Even when the world seems hopeless.  We rest in peace –  Even when the world urges us to hustle and bustle.  We find joy –  Even when sorrow and sickness surround us.  We bask in love –  The love you sent to this world, In the form of the Christ …

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Moving With Grief

This past year of ministry has been walking close to grief both personally and as I walk with so many people grieving the loss of loved ones, the loss of plans, and the loss of the way we lived before COVID. Although it may sound like a year filled with sadness, it has actually been …

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It’s Tradition!

In the Fall, we always go apple picking on a Friday afternoon. We go to the same apple orchard, take a picture by the same photo op with the cute measurement, and on the tractors by the barn. We get apple cider and apple donuts, a kind of salute to cooler weather and the beginning …

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When Your Feet Hurt

I tried to deny it. I tried to recenter and concentrate my attention on my stride. I tried to change my socks. I had my treads checked. I had my laces re-laced, but nothing was alleviating the hurt in my feet after a run. I’ve been running for twenty years in the same brand of …

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Among the Clouds

The clouds have been moving more with the storms rolling through. The cloud cover is so dense, it’s hard to tell whether it’s night or day. It is hard to find the light among the clouds. Even though the storm has passed, still the clouds remain, covering the skies, making me wonder, whether there are …

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Shadow Selves

It’s easy to get caught in the shadows…of what might have been if we made a different choice here or there. It’s easy to get caught up in who we would have been had we gone another way than we would have gone. I always loved the part of Peter Pan where his shadow is …

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Voices of Power

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining together with a group of obstetricians who were testifying before the SC Senate Medical Affairs committee. They were sharing their experiences about the impact legislation has on their ability to care for their patients. I was sharing how legislation often impacts my ability to guide …

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