I think Jesus was onto something when he started talking about the “bread of life” and “the fruit of the vine” so much so that I invite you to pull up a chair and cook with me. Let’s see what those mustard seeds and unleavened bread can really do. Of course, you know, this isn’t really a food blog but a play on words because my name is Elsa Cook.

I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who fell in love with a artillery man in the US Army who loves food and wine as much as I do. (It’s actually my beloved who does most of the wine pairing at our dinner parties.) We got married in June of 2016 and now have two little girls that occupy most of my time.

We have moved five times since we decided to shape a future together. Most recently, the United States Army sent us all the way to Ulm, Germany. Moving that much has meant that serving a local congregation is just not possible. We aren’t in one place long enough and I never imagined that moving overseas would allow for more opportunities in ministry beyond writing pandemic prayers for weary Christian pastors.

Beyond the pages of this blog, my liturgies have been published with Worship Ways of the United Church of Christ and the LiturgyLink. I was thrilled to spend most of the pandemic working on resources for Season of the Spirit FUSION before the company dissolved.

Now, my prayers are focused on the people that I get to untangle the knots of life with in my spiritual direction practice. I love this work and am thrilled to hold space for all the prayers we dare to voice to each other. My ministry is supported by the larger church including the Old First United Church of Christ in Philadelphia, PA where I serve as the Missionary Minister of Arts and Nurture.

Life has been full of wonderful surprises and I’m excited to see what wonders we can cook up together.

Roll up your sleeves and cook with me.