by Amy C. Wake I have found that as a parent and a pastor, life is exceedingly hectic. Even when I am able to carve out time for prayer and renewal, it is hard to silence the noise of this busy, busy world and just be with God. This poem came as I was letting [...]
Handmade Clergy Stoles by “Piecemaker Rev”
by Beth Boisvert I recently opened a shop on Etsy called Piecemaker’s Piece for the stoles that I design and make. For my senior thesis project at Union Theological Seminary, I designed and sewed 6 stoles (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and water) as well as a prayer shawl (All Saints’ Day–w/ pictures and names [...]
What Wondrous Love Is This
by Katie Yahns Writing from the front lines of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Churchwide Assembly, I hadn’t expected to find new evidence of the ones we love. But guess what? “The Ones We Love” are here, couched between endless parliamentary procedure and reports, applause and argument. I’ve only been here three and [...]
Cardio Church
by Ruth Sorenson-Prokosch My prayer life has suffered lately. I have been feeling a bit adrift and wondering why prayer hasn’t seemed to be happening much this summer. Busy? Yes, but that isn’t new. Not enough time in nature? No, there have been plenty of walks around the lake and time spent in the garden [...]
The Horcruxes of Pastoral Ministry
by Meg Jenista In advance of going to see the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I recently re-immersed myself in book six of the series. In this installation, Harry is commissioned by Dumbledore to capture a missing memory – something to do with Lord Voldemort’s younger self, Tom Riddle, and the very dark [...]
In Touch
by Melissa St. Clair “Well, the bad news is you’re going to be sick for weeks,” the doctor offered with a (sort of) sympathetic smile. I didn’t respond immediately, waiting for some sort of good news corollary. It didn’t come. After a four hour visit, I walked out the doors of the emergency room, less [...]
Hope Does Not Disappoint Us (part one)
by Stephanie Sorge Wing My sense of call to the ministry started as I think many do – with many questions and doubts. Was this really God’s call? Why me? How could I be “worthy” of such a responsibility? What about all of that time in college and for a few years after where I [...]
So You Think You Can… Dance?
by Kate Smanik Moyes I am not fond of reality television. In fact, that statement puts my sentiments quite mildly. In truth I am repulsed by the modern television programs that claim to be “reality”. Any program that exploits the young adult population that I serve brings up feelings of anger and frustration for me. [...]