In the middle of a public place, a busy coffee shop, surrounded by strangers… people got real. We hosted our first ashes to go in the community and while we didn’t have a large turnout, the conversations were deep and holy. I got to know my parishioners better. I heard what brings they joy and…
Ministry in Heels
life as a young adult pastor
It's a coaching problem…
I was recently talking with a colleague about the fear/frustration that church members think we, as the pastors and staff, are the ones who do ministry. Obviously, since we are the ones getting the paycheck, we should be the ones out making new disciples and teaching and being prophetic and visiting the sick and all…
An ideal Saturday in the making
1) sleep in 2) eat a late breakfast/lunch 3) work out (because I promised myself I couldn’t do #5 until I did) 4) surf the web / blog / facebook 5) play skyrim 6) cook an awesome dinner 7) chill, preferably in front of the tv (tonight it will be the ISU bball game) 8) SLEEEEEEEEEEEEP…
Procedures
My household recently added a person to it. My brother in law moved in for a bit as he prepares to start graduate school. It is our chance to help him out and besides, we love having him over! It has been interesting to watch as we navigate around one another. We are running the…
Words and lyrics
Everyone is gone for the day. The church is quiet and still. And here I sit, pouring over the words in the hymnal and songbooks. Looking for just the right combination of joy and reflection. Of longing and praise. Of reality and possibility. Of the familiar and the uncomfortable. Sometimes I forget we also have…
Accidental author #NaBloPoMo
As one writing discipline ends, another begins. It has been good to return to regular blogging through the National Blog Post Month prompts. I have not been entirely consistent, but at least I never gave up. Today, I had invites to share in two advent disciplines: one writing prayers and the other reflecting on a…
Thankful #NaBloPoMo
Didn’t get too many pictures today, but full of thankfulness. For giggles and tickles… For a table full of pie… For the most amazing side dishes (including the brussel sprouts with bacon and bleu cheese)… For lots of different families around the tables… Thankful.
Thank-You #NaBloPoMo
I am terrible about sitting down and writing thank-you notes. But when my husband and I were married, we knew that it was something we needed to make a priority. We created special cards using our wedding photos and sat down one weekend to get them all done. I felt so proud of myself for…