Sometimes I make things too hard. I like a challenge. I like to push myself to spiritually, emotionally and especially as a student of the Bible. So, after the most recent worship planning group at TUCO, I was inspired to… Continue reading

This is my Bible. This is what it looked like sitting in the pulpit during worship yesterday. It caught my attention in the middle of worship. In a service of worship where I — as the pastor — actually got… Continue reading

It’s the end of Lent. And, of course, that means I feel awful. I haven’t been all that faithful in my prayer life. I had a hint of a sore throat earlier this week. I have no idea what to… Continue reading

Ever since I read this article on Fidelia’s Sisters, I have dreamed of worship planning with my congregation in this very prayerful manner. Last month, we began the experiment at The United Churches. The first worship planning group met. Eight… Continue reading

It is Ash Wednesday. I’ve been busy getting ready for this day. I gathered ashes, readings and prayers. I purchased flash paper for a really awesome moment to release our sins in worship. I made handouts for those that will… Continue reading

On Saturday morning, I got to participate in my first truly Northwest funeral. Er… memorial service. There is a strong leaning in the congregation I serve not to ever have the body present in this last farewell. So, it’s always… Continue reading

In worship this morning, there was no pageant. We didn’t tell the Christmas story. Not really. We talked about John the Baptizer and an angry shepherd who couldn’t believe the good news. And on this Sunday of joy, we didn’t… Continue reading

My TYCWP friend Mihee kindly featured my words on her blog First Day Walking today in a post entitled Layers of Paint. These words appear as part of a series entitled Merely Beloved exploring the various dimensions of spiritual practice.… Continue reading

Yesterday, I wrote a wedding liturgy for the couple in our church that got their wedding license at midnight last night. I will officiate their wedding on Sunday night on the steps of the capital building just across the street… Continue reading

Yesterday, we celebrated the Reign of Christ with a a celebration of the new year in the church. We offered our prayers in the midst of these seasons — in the midst of Lent. We brought rocks forward as symbols… Continue reading