Elsa Anders Cook
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Half-Baked Ideas for All Saints Day
On Sunday, I went to church. I sat in the pews to worship. But, before worship even began, there was a wave of sadness that fell over that gathering of God’s people. There were words of thanks offered, gratitude for… Continue reading
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My Sexual Assault is More Than Locker Room Banter
Trigger Warning: The content of this post may be triggering for people who have experienced sexual assault. I was in college. I was drunker than I should have been—much drunker—and I was flirting with a boy. We kissed sloppily. One… Continue reading
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Prayer for the Election Season
Like so many others, I watched the Presidential Debate on Sunday night. I gritted my teeth and joined others in lamentation and dismay on Twitter. When the debate was nearly over, one of my friends confessed via group text that she’d… Continue reading
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Leaving the East Coast
Today I said goodbye to the Atlantic Ocean. I dip my toes in the cold water on this dreary day and hoped that I might get to come back soon. It was only last year that we moved to the… Continue reading
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Cooking for the Family, Again
In less than two weeks, worship will end and I’ll hop in my car and drive off into the cornfields. After way too long apart, Nigel and I will be together again. All will be well. Alleluia. Alleluia. Before then, there are… Continue reading
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Premonitions of Grief
Yesterday, another United Church of Christ pastor dared to ask a group of her colleagues and friends if we share in her experience of receiving premonitions. Stories bubbled up from within this trusted circle as much as they bubbled up… Continue reading
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Blessing of Teachers
Many churches had their kick off celebrations this past Sunday. Some are waiting until this coming Sunday to mark the big day when everything goes back to normal. All of the programming starts up again for the kids and adults.… Continue reading
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Blessing of the Backpacks and Briefcases
Today social media is awash with smiling children on front porches and stoops waiting for the yellow school bus to arrive and take them off to school. It is the day after Labor Day and it is the day where… Continue reading
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The No Plan Plan
I don’t get to my home church very much. In fact, I’ve only been for worship twice in the past year. Once was my first official visit. The next Sunday I joined as a member. Since then, I’ve been busy… Continue reading
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What To Do Without a Church Musician
It happens every once in a while. A vacation is scheduled. Plans are made. Maybe someone forgot to call around and secure someone to fill in or maybe there really is no one available. This seems more and more probable… Continue reading
Cooking with Elsa 