Happy *almost* new year, everyone! I was able to attend a great end-of-year reflection workshop last night from Eileen Campbell-Reed at 3-Minute Ministry Mentor. One of the exercises we did was to list “10 Things I Did that Mattered in 2022.” It turns out I did some stuff. Like adopting a rule of life and…
Baptism is weird. And that’s as it should be. Because there really is not a logical way to do what it is we strive to do in baptism. In baptism, we are doing something physically to suggest a change in our inner, spiritual reality. According to Christian belief, the body and spirit are connected, to…
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Like so many other people I know, I’ve been sick this week–but thankfully it’s nothing severe. I’m on the mend and looking forward to upcoming times of worship and with family. Also the pumpkin pie. For any of you who don’t have a community to worship with this weekend, you are…
Hello, Spacious Faith friends. I have been providing content on this blog since 2010! Many of you have read my theological ramblings and my snarky denominational commentary; you have used my words for worship and in your own spiritual practices. I am deeply honored that my words have been part of your lives and I…
To the tune of Hyfrydol (“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”); also works with Beach Spring and JeffersonBy Joanna Harader (2022) Through the line of Joseph, Mary,Tamar, Judah, Rahab, Ruth,Comes a savior for the nations,born Messiah of humble birth.God’s eternal presence with usThrough the ages grace imparts.Holy power in fragile infantResting in his parents’ hearts. Mary welcomes…
This is a blessing I wrote for my reflection on “Advent for Every Body,” an aural devotional from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Portland). While the blessings in Expecting Emmanuel are written in the voices of individual women (and the community of weeping mothers), this blessing is in the voice of the full line of women connected…
This prayer connects to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. God, We pray for those on the margins,For their safety,For their wisdom,For their power. We pray for those at the centers,For their openness,For their compassion,For their acting toward justice. We pray for ourselves and all the spaces we inhabit.Let us listen well—to others and…
Expecting Emmanuel contains a lot of worship material for those using the book as a basis for Advent worship. The funny thing is, the prayers in the book–a prayer of confession and offertory prayer–aren’t actually the types of prayers we regularly use in worship at Peace Mennonite. So even though I wrote the book, I…
Advent begins in less than two weeks! That means it is a busy time for me both as a pastor and as an Advent devotional writer. I feel deeply encouraged and honored by the excitement people have expressed for my book Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way. I know that many of you…
I have received my author copies of Expecting Emmanuel and the book officially launches tomorrow (September 6, 2022)! Those of you who have pre-ordered should receive your books soon, and hopefully you will be able to find the book in your local bookstore well before Advent begins. Launch Party, Party, Party I want to extend…
Spacious Faith 