In the 46 days before Easter, the church has traditionally set aside the season of Lent to prepare ourselves for Good Friday and to reflect on our sins, the sins of our societies, and the weight of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. Throughout this season, people might fast, abstain from certain foods (most often meat, eggs, and dairy), spend more time in prayer, and take on various other spiritual … [Read more...]

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At Advent, the calendar of the church year starts over: returning to the beginning of the story and remembering Christ's birth and the stories leading up to it. It’s a season of preparation and candlelight, a season of hope and longing for the world to be transformed. If Epiphany is a birthday party, I like to say that Advent is something like a baby shower (although, full disclosure, I've only … [Read more...]

Last month was full of notable dates in our household, as we celebrated the fifth anniversary of my ordination (October 8, 2017), the fifth anniversary of my first Sunday here at Peoples (October 15, 2017), and the fifth anniversary of the day that Doris Ann brought Gingersnap to live with me (October 28, 2017). … [Read more...]

October 4 has long been celebrated as the feast day of Saint Francis of Assissi (1181-1226), who is the patron saint of animals and ecology. Since the 1920s, the date has also been celebrated as the secular World Animal Day. One traditional way to honor the legacy of Saint Francis has been to hold an animal blessing service on or near October 4. Francis saw God reflected in nature. In his hymn, … [Read more...]

The seasons are changing again and with them, seasonal decor is also changing! When I first learned that I would be not only moving across the country but living alone, I put together Pinterest boards as I looked for furniture and planned out how to decorate the manse. You've all seen my Starry Night-themed craft room in worship and evening prayer live streams. The guest room is mostly green … [Read more...]

Because it's summer, a season when many individuals and families make time for travel, I thought I would share the story of the most epic road trip my family ever went on (disclaimer: I had not yet been born...and neither had any of you). Once upon a time, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Wilhelm Keil, was born in Prussia (now Germany). By the time he was in his early 30s, he had … [Read more...]

On Pentecost, we started a new art project for all Peoples: a tablecloth and hangings for the pulpit and lectern that will be covered in our handprints!!! At Pentecost, the first generation of believers, who came from every nation under heaven and lived all kinds of different lives, came together to create something new: what we now know as “the church." With our new paraments, all of our … [Read more...]

My grandmother used to make stained glass until she lost her studio space around the time I was born. Any time I left or returned home, I would see the red roses she made for the front door or the panel of butterflies over the back door. The windows of the room that she had set up as the grandchildren's play room had clear windows with borders of different colored blocks and three different pieces … [Read more...]