I don’t miss an opportunity to encourage friends, church members and sometimes random women who’s conversations I overhear to check their breasts. I have been known to explain exactly how to do a self breast exam, when you should do… Continue reading

The posts began to appear early this week. One by one, friends started to post on Facebook this article by Anne Lamott. Then, this article appeared. I’d read the first when it was initially published. I waited until now to read… Continue reading

This morning, I read this in the CenturyMarks of the Christian Century:  Rising levels of stress are causing more depression among pastors. Stressors include declines in membership and contributions, personal financial worries (often due to educational debt), and discord in… Continue reading

As I’m reading about the Book of Revelation this morning, this word keeps creeping into my thoughts so that I can’t quite focus on the text before me. Remember. It’s a word that echoed in my heart and mind all week as I… Continue reading

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