Category: Church Stuff
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Peace and War: Son of Jesse
Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, just as Jesse had directed him. And he reached the encampment as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines, army against army. Then…
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The Gift of Distraction
If I have seemed distracted, lately, perhaps it is because I have been startled by the beauty of a world in motion. Yesterday, it seems, we were trapped in the heavy humidity of August in Pennsylvania; this week there is an edge to the morning cold, and I noticed the edge of a dark red…
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Good to Great
Acts 2:1-21 (NRSV) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on…
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Dinosaur Bones
You gotta love a good metaphor. The other day, I was sitting with some clergy colleagues and we were talking about the role of the pastor. What, we wondered, is the pastor’s real job? Sure, they are supposed to preach, to teach, to visit the sick, to shepherd the flock, to die on the cross demonstrate self-sacrifice,…
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Cross Post: Young Clergy Women
I had the honor of interviewing some of my female colleagues in ministry recently for a reporting piece that was published with the Young Clergy Women Project Magazine, Fidelia. The piece is about how our bodies inform our ministry, and how ministry informs the way we think about our bodies, especially as it relates to…
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Change is Coming
Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of…
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Playing the Long Game (Advent 1)
Isaiah 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let…
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GUEST POST: Disciples Take Their Faith Public
This past Sunday my congregation was honored to welcome a guest, the Rev. Gloria Yi, into our pulpit to preach. She was and is a gift to our church, and her powerful words, proclaimed in the aftermath of an incredibly emotional week for so many folks, were well-needed. As a pastor, I give thanks for voices…
Deeper in me than I 