This prayer is by my fellow Mennonite pastor, Mark Schloneger. Much thanks for his permission to post it here. Creator of our first breath, Sustainer of our next breath, Redeemer of all deep breath, We remember those who are finding it hard to breathe. We remember those who have died, those who are suffering, and…
This post by Caitlin Desjardins was originally published on December 24, 2014. “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son; she put him in a simple cloth wrapped like a receiving blanket, and laid him in a feeding trough for cattle, because there was no room for them at the inn.” Luke 2:7, The Inclusive…
The song below was written by Susan Gascho-Cooke, who serves as pastor at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. You can hear an audio version here. Snow Falling Down on Bethlehem written in December, 2013 chorus: snow falling down on brown skin snow falling down on Bethlehem snow falling down on a traveling family snow falling…
This post by June Mears Driedger was originally published on December 23, 2014. June is a writer and spiritual director. She lives in Lansing, Michigan with her partner, Kevin. They attend Lansing Church of the Brethren. When we look at the lectionary texts for the fourth Sunday of Advent we often focus on Mary’s wondrous prayer…
Partners Jamie Haskins and Sarah Klaassen are Disciples of Christ pastors living in the lovely Columbia, Missouri. Sarah pastors Rock Bridge Christian Church, and Jamie serves as chaplain, instructor, and director of the Center for Faith and Service at Westminster College. This piece was originally published on December 20, 2014. – – – – – – –…
This piece by Chris Lenshyn was originally posted on December 18, 2014. Chris serves as the associate pastor of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford British Columbia. The beauty of the church calendar is that we have something tangible that orients us toward a divine, participatory reality beyond and in contrast with the social fabric in which we…
This post by Melanie Zuercher was originally published on December 15, 2014. Melanie lives in Newton, Kansas. She is a member of Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton and works at Bethel College in North Newton. – – – – – – Confession: Christmas is not my favorite time of the year. Was it ever? Maybe…
This reflection on I Thessalonians 5:16-24 was written by Samuel Voth Schrag and originally published on December 17, 2014. Samuel lives in Arlington, Texas, with his wife Rachel and children Jonah and Hannah. He served as pastor of the St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship from 2007-2017. Christmas is a season of lists- Santa has a list…
Andrea Zuercher lives in Lawrence, Kansas, and attends Peace Mennonite Church. In a previous life she lived and worked in Washington, D.C., where she pursued professional choral singing as an avocation. A copy editor by professionand inclination, she now enjoys the slower pace of living in a smaller city. She spends her free time reading,…
Megan Ramer is pastor of Seattle Mennonite Church, a lover of travel adventures both large and small, a Friday Sabbath hiker, and a proud aunt of five of this world’s most adorable little nuggets. (This post was originally published on December 19, 2014.) – – – – – – – – – Mary, having just…
Spacious Faith 