Category: Ethics and Justice
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what we have in common
Perhaps we grew impatient, or maybe it was nothing more than rage at the distance between what is right and what is wrong in this world God has made: the cry for justice that feels worth a damn waging war against armchair ethicists at a quiet remove; the vision of a world held in common…
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Pub Theology: MLK Edition
This week our Pub Theology Group met and discussed the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. It was an absolutely wonderful gathering filled with great insights and engaging conversation. We started our gathering by reading some quotes from MLK’s speeches, sermons, and letters later in his career, wondering together–how are MLK’s words still relevant, challenging,…
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Owning my Racism
It was a chilly winter evening in December back in 2005 when my college boyfriend and I headed out together to attend a friend’s ugly Christmas Sweater party off campus. I was a senior at the University of Southern California, right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. I love my college experience–as a super-involved, type-A…
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Out of the Mouths of Babes…
Late last week I was waiting at the bus stop for my daughter. The bus stopped on the corner and the neighborhood kids streamed down the steps of the bus and into the afternoon light. One of the students, a young girl who goes to my church, started talking about something that had happened in…
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After Election Day…
I had the honor of writing this letter, which was signed by nearly 45 area clergy. It represents our hope and prayer for our country in the days following the election on November 8th. On November 9th, we awake to the results of an election that has bitterly divided our nation. It is tempting to…
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Remembering Orlando
The following remarks were delivered at the Ivyland Borough Vigil held on Tuesday, June 14th for the Victims of the Orlando Massacre: On Sunday morning, we woke up to yet another reminder that we still live in a culture of violence. Perhaps, like me, you woke up early expecting another day of worship when you first heard…
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The Lord Indeed is God
1 Kings 18:20-39 So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word. Then…
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The Troubled Peace of the Cemetery
Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty. -Oscar Romero What is…
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The Politics of Pastoring
One of the most frequent questions that people ask me when they find out that I am a pastor (other than the classic “you look so young to be a pastor!”) is this: Do you talk about politics when you preach??? The folks who ask this question are varied–they are young and old, rich and poor,…
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A Reflection for Good Friday and Holy Saturday
I didn’t have the chance to write what I wish I could have yesterday, but as I was thinking and pondering the reality of Good Friday and the silence of Holy Saturday, of all that was lost and all that was suffered by Christ, I came across the following quote that I wanted to share.…
Deeper in me than I 