Cooking with Elsa

Elsa Anders Cook

  • Illuminating the Way to Hope in Another Pandemic Lent

    Years ago, and I mean years ago, I wrote this liturgy for the six Sundays in Lent. It was an extended Tenebrae or a reversal of the Advent wreath. I wish I had explained it better in the original post.… Continue reading

    Illuminating the Way to Hope in Another Pandemic Lent

  • Recipe for a Pandemic Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

    Worship is not the only thing that adds flavor to congregational life. We are nourished by times of fellowship and times of service. As we approach the season of Lent again, I’ll be sharing more recipes for ministry. If you… Continue reading

    Recipe for a Pandemic Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

  • Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 5

    The other night I read such encouraging words from the editors of the New York Times reminding us again that we shouldn’t get caught up in the ineffectiveness of the vaccine. It’s not even infections that scientists are worried about… Continue reading

    Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 5

  • A Hopeful Lent

    Where are you finding hope? What does hope look like for you right now? In my own struggle with whether or not to get dressed in the morning, I know that I’m struggling to find hope. It feel like a… Continue reading

    A Hopeful Lent

  • Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 4

    Healings just feel like a weird thing to explore right now. Many of us are refreshing our browsers wondering when we can get in line to get the vaccine. Or we are eagerly seeking out that first dose for a… Continue reading

    Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 4

  • Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 3

    I am really excited when poetry takes the national stage. I was surprised when it happened in the beginning of the pandemic. Major news outlets started sharing poems chosen by their editors to speak this moment. Poetry became popular while… Continue reading

    Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 3

  • Ash Wednesday in Coronatide

    Lent is a mere six week away. Do you remember Lent last year? Do you remember that awkward feeling of sitting in church that first Sunday when we were told not to touch our faces? I remember laughing about it… Continue reading

    Ash Wednesday in Coronatide

  • Baptism of Christ Sunday After the Riots

    I lit a candle this afternoon when I didn’t know what else to do. A colleague and friend texted moments before to tell me that the prayers I had curated for the sermon series she had hoped to begin this… Continue reading

    Baptism of Christ Sunday After the Riots

  • Pandemic Prayers for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday

    I have been thinking about this tweet since I saw it. I don’t think that I’m selling a brand. I hope not. That’s not what I’m aiming to do but I know I haven’t uplifted the voices of people of… Continue reading

    Pandemic Prayers for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday

  • Pandemic Prayers for Baptism of Christ

    I love this Sunday. I have been known to do some really silly things in worship because I love the joy of remembering this wonderful and strange ritual we share where we remember we are God’s beloved. And so I… Continue reading

    Pandemic Prayers for Baptism of Christ