As part of the children’s church, our four-year-old brought home a cup of soil where they had planted a seed. The lesson had been about planting seeds of love and kindness and how important that was in bringing about new life and hope in people’s lives. The idea was that we could be the sunlight …
Last week, I decided to take some time to bake cookies. Baking is something that calms me and brings me back to waiting and watching for something new to be created; a practice that doesn’t come naturally to me. I have been baking my family’s chocolate chip cookies for years and can make that recipe …
We enter into the center of Lent, recognizing we aren’t to the end yet. We stay in the darkness of Lent, even though it’s uncomfortable. We trust you are here with us, and that you will be revealed to us again.
We confess that we tire of doing justice. It feels like an uphill battle with too few people fighting alongside us. It is hard work! Renew our strength. Show us the light. Give us hope to keep working to bring your ecosystem here on earth. So that all may be fed, all may be housed, …
I was trained as a teacher to have short-range plans, long-range plans, and a five-year career plan. None of those plans included being called into ministry, going back to school and starting a whole new profession. Sometimes, I am stopped in my tracks when someone asks, “How did you end up here?” because I didn’t …
For so many of us, the Advent season is a rush of celebrating with friends and family. In that rush, we often miss time to wonder and awe at the incarnation of the Light of the World coming to dwell among us. As we move from one celebration to the next, we find ourselves weary …
This year, I didn’t meet my reading goal. I joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge and set my goal to read 100 books by the end of the year. I read 88. It would be easy to look at this picture of the quippy, “Better luck next time!” and feel disappointed or discouraged. It would be …
Every year, I join the Goodreads Book Challenge. This year for the first time, I increased my goal to 100 books. I didn’t quite make it this year, but even so, I have set the same goal for 2023. As I conclude the year, I take the time to think and reflect on the books …
Each year, I conclude the year with a word or phrase that has followed me throughout the year. I know for many it’s starting the year with a word that sets intention and purpose, but for me, the practice has always been powerful as a reflection on the last year. It reminds me that there …
We have made it through the darkest night. Slowly, day by day, we will begin to add light to our days from here on. Even as we know this in our minds, what do we when darkness lingers? For many, this Christmas season brings the first one without a loved one or with a new …
