For Worse (Part 1).

Editor’s Note: This essay is the first in a two-part series. Look for the second installment in April’s edition of “The Ones We Love.” While there is much I don’t remember about my wedding day, the words of the vows I made have stuck with me over the years.  “For better or for worse,” I promised.  “In […]

Keeping the Sabbath

Editor’s Note: This article is one in an occasional series called “A Lenten Pause,” running on Fidelia’s Sisters until Easter. As many young clergy women plan to come to our summer conference, Sabbath in the City, in Chicago we’ll be taking a look at the sometimes terrifying topic of sabbath and the role it plays in our […]

Participating in the Peace

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. –Ephesians 2:14 As I have travelled to different parts of the world, met many people and worked at different churches, I have witnessed time and time again God […]

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

My husband and I were running errands one Saturday when we stopped at a local bookstore.  I noticed a display of books in the center aisle and realized I had never heard of them.  The covers were decorated with solid, bold colors and a large bird. “The Hunger Games?  What’s that?” I asked my husband. […]

Blessed

Editor’s Note: As a Lenten observance, this month’s Divine Details is an exercise in noticing. If you notice the presence of the Divine in the details of your day to day life and ministry – and you’d care to reflect on those noticings – DO write about it! Submissions can be sent to details(dot)ycw(at)gmail(dot)com. I […]

Lens of Faith

Editor’s Note: Submissions are welcomed and should be sent to alongtheway(dot)ycw(at)gmail(dot)com. As the tears rolled down my face, Abby whispered, “The last piece, dear Katelyn, is learning to love yourself as God loves you.” My tears were a mix of relief, thanks and fear at saying “yes” to my first ministerial position. The tears came […]

Adopted by the Grace of God

Editor’s Note: Rev. Brown preached this sermon at Seneca Presbyterian Church in Seneca, SC on January 1, 2012. Text: Genesis 17:1-7 and Galatians 3:26-29; 4:4-7. The Christmas tree is down, the decorations stored away and family members have returned to their own homes. At least in theory we have accomplished this “putting away” of Christmas. […]

“Well of a Tale” – A Sermon on John 4:5-42

Editor’s Note: This sermon is from First Christian Church’s Lent 2011 sermon series. We have been working our way through the senses this Lenten season. Two weeks ago, we began with taste. Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread. He was so hungry he could almost taste it. Last week, we met Nicodemus in the […]

Life is a Highway

Last week I reached a milestone.  I paid off my car.  It took me 5 years to do it, and I found, as I saw the last bill with $0.00 after the words “Balance Due,” that it was a bittersweet moment.   I’m not one of those people who has a relationship with my car.  […]

Home

I’ve been thinking about home a lot.  By “home” I mean the concept of home.  You see, I just moved from Tennessee to Washington.  My husband and I recently set up the apartment and we placed decorative letters spelling the word “home” on a shelf.  Most of our things remained in boxes, the walls were […]