by Mandy Flemming Editor's note: This article was originally written in January of 2009. The tiny people and I are going to Minnesota. I cannot describe to you how excited the boys are. Aunty K, a dear pastor friend of mine, and I planned this trip back in … August? 2005? I'm not sure, but [...]
Scotland: Watercolors by Elsa Peters
by Elsa Peters This month Elsa Peters shares her beautiful watercoIors with us. She writes this by way of introduction: I was an art major in college. I thought that this was what God wanted me to do: paint. But something happened; I ended up in ministry. I was called into pastoral ministry where I've [...]
The Economy of the Family
by Carol Howard Merritt I’ve noticed something odd. When I’ve talked to older women colleagues, and I’ve said the words, “I had to think about my family” in relation to my career, I often get a little lecture. You know, something along the lines of how my family should not dictate my choices, and how [...]
I’m with Them
By Erica Schemper A sermon on Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:13-4:2, preached at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, Geneva, IL, on March 1, 2009 If there’s any Bible story that is truly a part of “youth culture”, or at least the culture of the youngest of youth, it’s Noah and the Ark. If you do [...]
Spring Cleaning for the Soul
by Elizabeth Lerohl Hiller Every spring I can’t resist magazines that tout the best ways to get your home fresh and clean. I can’t wait to see what my favorite home care guru Martha (and her staff) puts in her well-organized and labeled cleaning bucket. Her recommendations for getting the winter goo off my windows, [...]
When the Church is Your Landlord
by Alex Hendrickson Whether you call it a manse, a parsonage, a rectory, or a vicarage, a church-owned pastor’s house is a complicated edifice in the lives of both clergy and congregation. The first place I lived after graduating from seminary was a beautiful, early 19th century brick manse owned by the small Kentucky congregation [...]
The Twilight Series
by Teri Peterson I confess that I’m almost always behind the curve on the cultural phenoms of our day—I got on board the Harry Potter train when book four came out. I don’t really like movie theaters and so often don’t see movies until they come out on DVD. I pay some attention, but not [...]