by Ann Bonner-Stewart Remember senior superlatives from high school? Sure you do. I was most talented one year, according to Northwestern High School in the booming metropolis of Rock Hill, South Carolina. One would think, having received this exalted ranking by popular vote, that I would consider myself to be creative. More-than-a decade-old, no-longer-relevant title [...]
Contractions and Calvinism
by Melissa Wilcox Adelaide Christie was born on an early Tuesday morning. We had been watching and waiting and waiting and watching. Monday morning I woke up with contractions and saw the doctor. All was well, but I was not in any way in "active" labor. I love all the medical jargon. What kind of [...]
The Soprano and Alto Section
by Erica Schemper Women were not ordained in the church I grew up in until the year I graduated from high school. I knew, thanks to my parents, that it was wrong not to ordain women. And I realize now that they went out of their way to expose my siblings and me to women [...]
Let Your Light Shine
by Katie Yahns photo by Brian Dominguez It was hot and sticky—humidity has always been my enemy. Fatigue and crankiness were hovering just under my surface, ready to break forth. My cute sandals were giving me a blister on the sole of my foot. I was drenched in my own sweat. I wasn't entirely sure [...]
Being the Single Rev
by Stacey Midge In my very first article for this column, in October 2007, I wrote the following statement: "In my better moments, I remember to choose not to be defined by absence. I choose to be defined by presence: by my own full presence in the world, by the presence of those who love [...]
Lost: The Final Chapter
by MaryAnn McKibben Dana The phenomenon known as LOST came to a close a few weeks ago. If you don’t watch the show, your life isn’t that different, except maybe some people you know are now able to converse about other subjects besides The Island. Talk of “candidates” probably refers to the upcoming midterm elections, [...]
Closing a Nine-Year Ministry
by Jill Sullins I am now closing out an almost nine year ministry at my congregation. I started my journey as a 25 year old and am now 34. In all honesty, I am grateful that these people took a chance on me, regardless of why they did it. Being 25 and in ministry is [...]