Here is a fun conversation starter for mixed-age groups: "Tell me how old you are without specifically telling me your age." On that theme, here is a fun fact about me that puts me in a very small category of American adults (about 5%, according to the quick google search I just did): I have never had chickenpox! I was vaccinated against it in 1995, the same year that it was … [Read more...]

We're now stepping into June and the beginning of summer, I'd like to share a few more ideas for new spiritual practices as suggested by my colleague in ministry, the Rev. Linda Kurtz, who serves at the First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Kentucky. As we look towards a future in which those of us over the age of twelve can all be safely vaccinated, I invite you to consider changing up the way … [Read more...]

This Sunday (May 23) is Pentecost, a holiday celebrated as being the birth of the church, the day when we remember the Holy Spirit coming down among us like a rushing wind and dancing like tongues of fire over our heads. The color of Pentecost is red, and you are encouraged to wear red as we worship together in our homes and as we gather over zoom. In previous years, we've done a lot more for … [Read more...]

The Feast of the Ascension falls this week, when, forty days after the resurrection, Jesus (appropriately enough) ascended into heaven. Last year, some of my colleagues and I put together a video telling an apocryphal story as written by the Rev. Dr. Lori Walke that dates back (more or less) to the Desert Fathers. It was a fun project and I'd like to share the story again. The Gospels tell us … [Read more...]

As we step into May and the weather starts to warm up (woo hoo!), I'd like to share a few more ideas for new spiritual practices as suggested by my colleague in ministry, the Rev. Linda Kurtz, who serves at the First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Kentucky. As we look towards a future in which we can all receive vaccinations and rebuild our lives together, I invite you to consider changing up … [Read more...]

Sometimes, when I'm stuck writing a sermon, I'll take a tea break and see if I can find one on YouTube that might inspire me. It's a very hit or miss strategy. But one thing that almost always happens is that my search results pull up a long list of sermons preached almost exclusively by middle-aged white men. When a woman shows up in a thumbnail, more often than not, she is giving a children's … [Read more...]

Prayer to Heal Racial Division We thank you, O Lord, For in your loving wisdom You created one human family With a diversity That enriches our communities. We pray to you, O Lord, That we always recognize each member of this human family As being made in your image and beloved by you, With worth and dignity. We pray to you, O Lord, That we may envision a way forward To heal the … [Read more...]