I have experienced a glorious week of hearing the Gospel, singing to God, and talking with other preachers at the Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta. (My husband endured a long week of schedule juggling, meal preparing, and dish washing at home with our three kids—which is why I will not have another glorious Festival experience…
This is a prayer we prayed at the memorial service for Lola Lohrentz last week. Some of this imagery comes from Psalm 46, which she chose to have read at her service. Lola is deeply loved and deeply missed. I could tell you many wonderful things about her, but she most definitely told me that…
Happy Monday, everyone! This afternoon I am headed to Atlanta for the Festival of Homiletics, which means that I won’t be posting much this week–except for the pre-scheduled worship piece on Wednesday. But I should come back with lots of things to share. So stay tuned! This week’s prayer practice is a simple repetition of…
This benediction is inspired by one of the lectionary readings for this week: Acts 10:44-48. It is my prayer for each of you. May you go out into the world with your eyes and your ears and your hearts wide open, that you may be astounded by the gifts of the Holy Spirit; gifts poured…
I have been privileged to spend some time recently with a woman in our church who is in the final days of her life. She is on her journey home, and her cancer ravaged body is shutting down. It is a beautiful thing to see the love that her family shares with her and…
Based on some of the responses to the story I posted yesterday, I want to make a clarifying note here before I get on with my Saturday morning. I do not feel shamed. And I am not a victim. I did what I did of my own free will, understanding the potential consequences. While many…
Almost two years ago now, I received a tentative email from a young woman asking if she could have her upcoming wedding at our church. She and her fiance were Christian. They wanted a church wedding, and a friend had told her that she might be able to get married at Peace Mennonite in Lawrence.…
This call to worship draws on Acts 8:26-40 and I John 4:7-21. (Leader reads plain text, congregation reads bold, everyone reads bold italics.) We come like Philip: following the angels, waiting for a word from the Spirit. So breathe your Word into us, O God, that we might have boldness to speak to the…
Driving home from my retreat last weekend, a billboard caught my attention. “When you die,” it asked, “will you go to heaven or hell?” At the bottom was an 800 number you could call, presumably to find out whether you’ll need your flame-retardant pajamas in the afterlife. I would love to listen in on these…
As part of my Super Spectacular Sabbatical blog redesign, I hearby implement a series of Monday prayer practices. (Thanks for the nudge, Sandi!) Each Monday I will post a suggestion for a creative arts prayer practice–in the spirit of the activities that were part of our Lenten Retreat. If the practice appeals to you, make…
Spacious Faith 