by Name Withheld They teach you a lot about sex in health class in high school. Or rather, they teach you a lot about the HORRIBLE THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU if you have sex. STDs! Teenage Pregnancy! Betrayal by the captain of the football team! Now that I’m fifteen years on the other [...]
Bullies, Wood Chips, and God
By Mary Beth McSwain It was a standard day at Clover Bottom Developmental Center, a state-run institution for developmentally disabled adults. I was a few months into my pastoral internship at Studio 1, an art studio which encourages the adults to create visual art as a form of pastoral care. Nancy arrived at 10 am [...]
Alone Again, Naturally
by Julia Seymour [Editor's note: As we ponder love and sex periodically this month at Fidelia's Sisters, Julia Seymour reflects on how sometimes, the greatest gift we can give the one we love is love of self.] “Um… not with anyone else.” That was my stammered response when my now-husband asked, “Have you ever had [...]
“This is not okay…”
by Erica Brown We might imagine that a well crafted sermon should be able to stand alone, with no further contextualization beyond the appointed scriptural readings. And yet, sometimes that simply doesn’t hold true. Sometimes there are factors and variables that must be shared, circumstances that must be considered, lest the text remain mere words [...]
Preaching in the Streets
by Amelia Richardson Dress “Are you a preacher, then?” The question came from the giant, cheerful, middle-aged man in charge of lining up airport shuttles for wayward travelers. Apparently my destination, a nearby retreat center, gave me away. “I am,” I replied with a cautious smile. In the four years since my ordination I’ve learned [...]
Interviews with the Single Revs, part one
Interviews conducted by Leah Grundset, names withheld For a two-part series in February and March we interviewed single revs from across the country. They serve in various denominations and settings and their answers are varied and complex. February’s questions focus on “Life as the Single Rev” and March’s questions will focus on “Sex and the [...]
Your Seminary Course Catalog (A Few Additions)
by Joanna Harader I believe I received a wonderful theological education at the two Baptist seminaries I attended (Eastern–now Palmer, and Central). I can decline Greek verbs (OK, I could at one time), put Paul in his historical context, explain the prophetic tradition and even address difficult biblical texts. I can do crisis counseling, pre-marital [...]
Sex, Ministry and Marie Claire
Our congregational meeting in mid-January was congenial. Praise God, the church has a strong sense of mission and the books are in the black. Despite this, throughout the meeting I was unsettled. There was one significant announcement to make. Before the closing prayer, I looked the congregation in the eye and said, “One last thing. [...]