As summer fades, our churches are preparing for the same rush that school teachers are imagining with great anticipation and joy. There are lots of events and details for which pastors and teachers are eagerly planning. You, dear pastor, are starting to get excited for what might feel like the first ‘normal’ year of programmingContinue reading “Lovely Dwelling”
Tag Archives: prayers
Prayers for the Incomprehensible Ascension
A dear friend asked what it’s like to be here in Germany now. Another assumed that the news cycle most familiar would be the one that surrounds my physical place but it’s not true. We might live in Germany worlds away from our homeland but we have our own little American island in our apartment.Continue reading “Prayers for the Incomprehensible Ascension “
Prayers in Church on Mother’s Day
As a motherless daughter, I have some strong feelings about one of the celebrations that comes again this Sunday. I have not been quiet about it either and people have been less than kind about this particular opinion. People in my own family have been more unkind than people in the pews, if you canContinue reading “Prayers in Church on Mother’s Day”
Maundy Thursday Still in Coronatide
This season has not yet ended though mandates are changing. There are enough voices that is saying it’s over even when another wave lurks. Here in Germany, it’s already here and it’s so hard to know what will come. There is a war being fought a few thousand miles from where I sit which makesContinue reading “Maundy Thursday Still in Coronatide”
Pandemic Palm Sunday Psalms and Prayers
Though I have linked many times to the wonders of the Living Psalms Project cultivated and nurtured by my own United Church of Christ, I was humbled and thrilled to offer my own words to this wonderful collaboration. It was also really exciting to have the one and only Maren Tirabassi edit my words. I’veContinue reading “Pandemic Palm Sunday Psalms and Prayers”
Pandemic Prayers for Easter Sunday
Since it all began in Ukraine, I have been thinking about this poster. I’ve been thinking about it as my husband works longer hours trying to bring peace to the world. I’ve been thinking about it as I try to figure out how to share these new stressors and worries to my young girls. DoContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for Easter Sunday”
Recipe for Blessing the Broken Hearted
Blessing is one of those thing that clergy do. Sometimes it’s something only clergy do though I know well that even as clergy I often wonder what gives me the authority to offer blessing. Years ago, this beautiful video was created by some talented folks within the United Church of Christ. It was part ofContinue reading “Recipe for Blessing the Broken Hearted”
Pandemic Psalms for Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
When I began this meditation on the psalms seven weeks ago, I thought it would welcome the wide array of emotions that I know are in these ancient songs. Those emotions are there in the other texts in these Sundays but the psalms seemed to hit only one or two notes. I thought it mightContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Seventh Sunday after Epiphany”
How to Use Art in Worship
I was an art major in college. It’s not a muscle I get to flex much these days if you don’t count the amazing crayon art I do with my kids. I’m kidding. I draw stick figures, just like you. But because I was an art major and art was formative to my younger years,Continue reading “How to Use Art in Worship”
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”
Cooking with Elsa 