I’m sitting in front my screen, tapping absently at the keys trying to formulate a final paper for my Lutheran Confessions course. Nothing. I have plenty of material, but I have zero impetus to engage in medieval theology anymore. You would think a theology of grace would be liberating. But during the actual class, I found myself pulling my hair…
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A Pastor’s Apology To The Single Community
Originally posted on john pavlovitz:
This is a message to all those who are single or who have spent any years in the Church as a single person. As a pastor who has served in local church ministry for the past 18 years, I wanted to apologize to you on behalf of so many of us who minister and who too often…
Selig
“If we remember that the German word for holy (selig) is the root of our word silly, we may be forced to make some pertinent connections.” — Mary Rose O’Reilly, Radical Presence: Teaching as Contemplative Practice It’s been a long, cold winter. I smile behind my wool scarf as I crunch over the snow and on down the road. It’s…
5 Years From Katie
13 years today…wow.
Blessed First Day of Celtic Advent
The sun is down…blessed first day of Advent, friends. Let us be welcoming of one another in our waiting.
Samhain 2017: Thoughts & Suggestions
Long ago I relinquished the fear-based religion that taught me that everything outside literal, inerrant Bible interpretations was to be avoided and branded as evil. Everything was a threat: culture, music, dancing, other religions, LGBTQ+ people. And Halloween. To be honest, I have my own reasons to abstain from 21st century North American’s Halloween: our sheer consumption of fabric, sugar,…
When Spiritual Bypassing Meets Racism Meets Gaslighting
Originally posted on Wake Up, Mama!:
Photo credit: StockSnap. Description: Woman with eyes closed and shadow across face. I want to talk about something I witnessed last week in the online world. First, a little background. A couple of years ago, I became increasingly aware of a pervasive phenomenon in the (overwhelmingly white) women’s spirituality/ personal growth circles I move…
Dear Mainline Church people (a response to the Nashville Statement)
As a former evangelical who now is on an ordination track in the ELCIC, please hear Martha’s words carefully, generously, and openly.
Can Contemplative Prayer Help Address Racism, White Supremacy, and Hate?
Originally posted on Ed Cyzewski: Author // Contemplative:
What good is sitting in silence for 30 minutes of contemplative prayer every day going to do when there are racist groups in our communities? It’s a fair question that I have pondered very often. I have a few responses: Contemplation changes us into compassionate people. Contemplation can help those in the grip…
Release the Just
I recently completed my First Basic Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. Part of my work as a student spiritual care provider was to be present with both long-term care residents and subacute patients. The other part of my work was deep individual and group reflection. In our training, we were often told to “just be present”. Sometimes all I would…
