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: love
Pandemic Psalms for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Though there was a nod to hearts last week, it always feels like the celebration of Saint Valentine sneaks into our worship. It’s not a liturgical holiday and I have feelings about such things — but there is something about love even if what we are cherishing right now is friendship. (This Sunday is afterContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany”
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”
Pandemic Prayers for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
I adore the repetition that the beloved community offers in trying to embody the call to love. It’s why my prayers these past few weeks have been drawn to the epistle first but it doesn’t quite reverberate with the way of the world right now. There is too much despair in India. Too much death.Continue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Sixth Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
I have seen pictures appear in my feed of pastors taking that much needed break after Easter. Some didn’t go much further than their backyard but they have their feet up and they are relaxing. Others — having been fully vaccinated — are enjoying the pleasure of good friends and family for the first timeContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Is it cheating to just share last year’s post on these familiar images of shepherds? Is it? Because I really like the prayers I wrote last year especially the one I wrote riffing on Rebecca Solnit’s essay. Have you read her book on hope? It’s worth the read in the Easter season. Brainpickings offers aContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
We began the new year with Jeremiah. It was the same chapter even though it was a few verses earlier. There was still the invitation to remember and hold onto what might be coming. We are still in that space so many weeks later as Lent begins to turn into Holy Week. Likewise, we heardContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Lent”
Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 4
Healings just feel like a weird thing to explore right now. Many of us are refreshing our browsers wondering when we can get in line to get the vaccine. Or we are eagerly seeking out that first dose for a loved one. We are not amazed, but we are asking each other, “What is this?”Continue reading “Pandemic Prayers for Epiphany 4”
Pandemic Prayers for Proper 17
In the past week, my clergy groups have been full of posts and comments about how tired you are. Not just because you’re working so hard, dear clergy, or even because you need a vacation. Though, I imagine, those add fuel to this exhaustion but it is not this tiredness that you lament.
Embracing Wonder with Children
There are specific things with instructions that parenting requires. Potty training, I am learning, is one of them. There are steps that your child must understand for success. First, she’s got to pull down her pants and then sit on the potty before she pees. There is an order to this process. It’s important notContinue reading “Embracing Wonder with Children”
Cooking with Elsa 