Elsa Anders Cook
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Palm Parade
This Sunday brings the palms. Call it a parade.Call it a procession.Call it a protest. People expect to wave palms happily in the air before the resurrection is proclaimed next week. Pastors struggle with this. This is the week that… Continue reading
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Blurring the Lines
So often, when we hear these words in Matthew 25:31-46, we focus on the actions for which we might be judged: the feeding, the visiting, the quenching of the thirst, the caring for the sick. We focus on the least… Continue reading
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Cleft of the Rock
This morning, I sat in the cleft of the rock beneath Turret Arch in Arches National Park. The sun made its gradual appearance without dazzling colors. There was nothing dramatic about the rising sun as the light around me slowly… Continue reading
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Open the Door to Us
Toward the end of my last call, I stopped writing liturgy. There were so many other things to do. So very many things. I just didn’t have time. Or I didn’t make time. Because writing liturgy takes time. Lots of… Continue reading
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In the Middle of the Story
The question always comes up in Bible Study when we find ourselves talking about Jesus. Somewhere in the middle of the Gospel, no matter which Gospel we’re reading, we find ourselves studying a particular passage after he’s born and before the… Continue reading
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Hope Within Me
From far too many pulpits, there isn’t a word said about how long and how hard grief can be. I don’t know why this is. I don’t know if it’s a hallmark of our society or the stubbornness of a… Continue reading
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Lent Comes
Lent has come. And so I found myself seated in the back of the local Episcopal Church. Because I am not pastoring a church anymore. I concluded my second call on Sunday. It’s over — just before Lent was to… Continue reading
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Thieves in the Night
Again and again, Jesus says that he’ll come like a thief in the night. At that time, the heavens will pass away and everything will go up in flames (2 Peter 3:10). We’re supposed to keep awake. This is something… Continue reading
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New (Im)possible Things
For a long time, I have dreamed about ministry by blogging. I have made friends through my blogs. I have shared my thoughts with members of my congregation. I have processed what has been on my own heart and my… Continue reading
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Anything Good
Last week, as I was preparing to preach this sermon, I sat with a retired clergy member of my congregation where I asked her about how she’s preached this particular Sunday. This Martin Luther King Day. This Sunday I’ve been… Continue reading
Cooking with Elsa 