Elsa Anders Cook
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Ash Wednesday
My sister died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It’s a fact that has haunted these first few months of my own daughter’s life. She died before I was born but the memory is alive. I wake to hear my little… Continue reading
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What I’ll Tell My Daughter About Why I Didn’t March
I didn’t march yesterday. Our government shut down and I stayed home in my pajamas merely contemplating the state of the world rather than taking to the streets. There wasn’t actually a march in my area this year. There may… Continue reading
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Toward Transformation This Lent
The holy season of Lent begins in just a few short weeks on Valentines Day, if you can believe it. Even if you can’t quite fathom this holy and profane confusion, get ready. Easter will fall on April Fools Day… Continue reading
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To Be Regular in Worship (Or Not)
In the middle of Advent, I joined a church. It was important to me. I wanted to do it. I’m already a member of another church where I never get to attend worship, but I read their newsletter and pray… Continue reading
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Silent Prayers for All Saints Day
As #metoo trends on social media, and stories that have been kept as secrets are spoken aloud, I’m keenly feeling the hurt and trauma that has made so many quiet for so many years. The resounding chorus that seems to lash… Continue reading
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Ready, Willing and Able for Peace
We were told that there would be booms. It was one of the first things that we were told about our new home. We’ll hear the booms, they said. Booms that shouldn’t frighten us or cause alarm, but are simply… Continue reading
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How to Pray Before Giving Birth
This afternoon, after church was over, I finished Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s international bestseller When Bad Things Happen to Good People. It might seem like an odd book to pick off the shelf for a woman who is expecting to… Continue reading
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Cooking Freezer Meals Before the Baby Arrives
Though it feels incredibly hard to believe, our little bundle of joy is due in a mere five weeks. I’m ready for her to get here already. This last month of pregnancy is no joke and I’m ready to be… Continue reading
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Character: Essays by readers
Some time ago, the Christian Century invited readers to submit first-person narratives (under 1,000 words) reflecting on the word character. They are requesting essays from readers on other words in the future, but it was to this one that I wanted to respond.… Continue reading
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Spirituality for the Resistance
I have not felt like an activist in years. In truth, I’m not sure that I ever really felt like an activist even though ministry called for it. I couldn’t faithfully preach the gospel on Sunday without taking to the… Continue reading
Cooking with Elsa 