Advent begins with one candle flickering in the shadows. It is then that we start to pay attention. It is when that match strikes that we start to notice the fullness of the shadows. It is not just dark or there would not be shadows. The light never disappeared. It was always there for weContinue reading “Candlelighting in the Shadows of Advent”
Tag Archives: light
Pandemic Praying Our Goodbyes
This is one of my very favorite celebrations of the church. I have long lamented that there are not enough spaces in the church calendar to share our grief. This is one of the few.
Pandemic Lighting of the Advent Wreath
There are some readings that can be handed out to the families of your church without explanation. They know to read the script and light the candles. This is not that. This Advent is not that. We have learned to do worship differently in the past two years. Our traditions have shifted and we haveContinue reading “Pandemic Lighting of the Advent Wreath”
More Backpack Blessings in Coronatide
No one ever expected that we would be in another pandemic year trying to figure out how to safely offer backpack blessings to kids. Last year, I shared a round up of resources and ideas that I wanted to update because things are different this year. There are a ton of ideas for ways toContinue reading “More Backpack Blessings in Coronatide”
Illuminating the Way to Hope in Another Pandemic Lent
Years ago, and I mean years ago, I wrote this liturgy for the six Sundays in Lent. It was an extended Tenebrae or a reversal of the Advent wreath. I wish I had explained it better in the original post. I had completely forgotten about it until some kind soul mysteriously found it in myContinue reading “Illuminating the Way to Hope in Another Pandemic Lent”
Pandemic Prayers for Baptism of Christ
I love this Sunday. I have been known to do some really silly things in worship because I love the joy of remembering this wonderful and strange ritual we share where we remember we are God’s beloved. And so I want to make this Sunday special. I want there to be unique things that doContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for Baptism of Christ”
Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany
A new year dawns. 2020 is over. That is the hope that we have put all of our energy into as we count down the last few days of this wretched pandemic year. We are waiting even after Advent is over. We are waiting for what is still to come. Maybe this will be theContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany”
Pandemic Liturgy for All Saints Sunday
This is one of my very favorite celebrations of the church. I have long lamented that there are not enough spaces in the church calendar to share our grief. This is one of the few.
Backpack Blessings in Coronatide
In my first attempt at brainstorming for worship planning in the pandemic, I wondered how many blessings there might be as the school year begins. I wondered if there will not only be the usual backpack blessings but also blessings for teachers and parents (and other caregivers). It could be a whole service. Or itContinue reading “Backpack Blessings in Coronatide”
Insistent Hope
It is the first Sunday of Advent and I sat in church. I sat in that pew with my baby bouncing on my lap to hear hope insisted upon. Maybe hope needs to come that way. Maybe it will only come by our stubborn determination or it’ll only be something that dances through our daydreams,Continue reading “Insistent Hope”
Cooking with Elsa 