I’m taking a break from posting weekly prayer practices while I put together the new retreat. I enjoy writing the materials, and I’m also enjoying my new binding machine! I took out the staples from my Lenten retreat booklet and put a new binding on it. The binding looks better than the staples. Plus, you’ll…
If you are looking for material connected to this week’s lectionary readings, there is a call to worship and benediction that go along with the feeding of the 5000+ here. Tomorrow is the funeral for the 6-year-old son of two of my college friends. I have been holding them in deep prayer this week, while…
I am enjoying my work on the Creative Arts Retreat for ordinary time. (I even got out the Greek lexicon this morning!) Because I am writing up so many prayer practices for the retreat material, I am going to take a break from posting weekly practices for awhile. So today I want to share a…
This is another phrase that can be heard coming from all sides of the conversation. I personally heard it a lot at the Western District Conference assembly. Problematic phrase #4: It’s not personal. The bottom line is that this phrase is problematic because it is simply not true. For more detailed reflections, see the blog…
This Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession are based on this week’s Gospel reading from the lectionary. (You know I am a liturgy nerd when I read the lectionary texts and write prayers for FUN while I’m on Sabbatical!) Call to Worship Some of us are exhausted. We come to rest. Some of…
This is the second post in a series about phrases I find unhelpful as church folk talk about how to include LGBT people. There is only one phrase addressed here, because it is something that is said by people on all sides of the issue. Problematic phrase #3: The church has more important things to…
I’m super excited about the new creative arts retreat! It’s a 9-week retreat in daily life, focusing on the 9 fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. All the details are here, and the order page is up and running. I’d love for you to join us!
I attended a brayer workshop with Michelle Zindorf last Saturday, and it was wonderful! I’ve long been a fan of her website and I’ve made my own poor imitations of many of her cards. At the workshop, she encouraged us to develop our own projects. Notice the landscapes. Pay attention to sunsets. So after copying…
As I talk with different people about how to include sexual minorities in the church, there are certain words and phrases that get repeated. And many of them are not helpful. You probably won’t be surprised to know that I have a pretty long list of things we need to quit saying to each other.…
I’m putting together a new creative arts retreat, and of course I’ve done the fun part first–gathering art supplies and sewing the bags to hold them. (Yes, I’m sewing. My multi-talented husband threads the machine, re-fills the bobbin, and fixes things when I mess up. But I am sewing!) This will be a retreat in…
Spacious Faith 