My final day as pastor of Peace Mennonite Church was yesterday–June 10, 2024. This was (is) a hard goodbye for all of the best reasons. Below is the letter I shared with the Peace community in last week’s newsletter. Dear, dear, Peace Mennonite Community, I do not have the words to adequately express my gratitude…
*I wrote this Call to accompany Exodus 13:17-22; it would work well with any scriptures that mention the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Leader: God makes the Divine presence knownSide 1: in cloud and fire,Side 2: in song and scripture.Leader: The Holy Presence leadsSide 1: through wilderness landscapes,Side 2: through times…
As some of you already know, my path is taking quite a turn. I will conclude my nearly 18-year ministry with Peace Mennonite in Lawrence, KS, on June 10 and begin as co-pastor of Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, KS, on August 11. I am sad to leave the beloved community at Peace…
Holy One,We, like the women at the tomb, have borne witness to death in many forms.We have encountered violence.We have carried grief.We have resigned ourselves.And so, even though we have heard this story many times,it is nowas alwaysunexpected–That there would be no stone to roll away,no death shroud to unwrap,no body to receive the carefully…
Our Easter celebrations tend toward glaring and loud:trumpets and choirs and big, gaudy lilies,baskets full of too-sweet candy and bright, glaring colors.That is all good—for what it’s worth. I wish you glorious musicand fragrant flowers;plenty of chocolate—the good stuff,and all the luminous beauty of the rainbow. That is my wish,for you.But this blessing is different.…
Hosanna!Hosanna!Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.Blessed are we who come to worship the One.Hosanna!Hosanna!Do not be afraid.We are not afraid.Look! Jesus comes in peace.Look! Jesus comes in love.Hosanna!Hosanna!
Hello, friends. I am busy writing a Lenten devotional that will be published by Herald Press next January: Prone to Wander: A Lenten Journey with Women in the Wilderness. So I haven’t posted much on the blog lately. I’m dropping a couple of recent worship pieces below. And I hope you are all having a…
Isn’t it fun when Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day? (Or maybe not if you’re giving up chocolate for Lent.) I thought I’d re-share these Ash Valentine’s/Wednesday cards I created for the Rev. Gal Blog Pals site back in 2018. You might also enjoy these valentines from biblical characters. And if you’re looking for more…
*This sermon was preached at Peace Mennonite Church on January 7, 2024. You can watch a video version on the church’s YouTube channel. My husband and I recently visited our daughter, who is studying abroad, in Chile. Her host family took us on a beach trip, and it was too cold to swim (at least…
In March of 2022, the Hubble telescope discovered the farthest known star from Earth. It’s named Earendel (meaning “morning star”) and is 12.9 billion light years away. Twelve point nine BILLION light years. Which means that the light we can see through the telescope right now began heading this way billions of years ago. I…
Spacious Faith 