Posts

Ten Things to Do for Christmas

It’s that time of year: Christmas. And as clergy, we are often tasked with making sure everyone else’s Christmas goes perfectly. Sometimes, that means we forget about our own Christmases. In the spirit of giving (and preparing, re: Advent), here is a list of 10 things to do as we get closer to Christmas. Whether […]

Service of Ordination

SERVICE OF ORDINATION 2020 I wish you knew What it’s like How it feels To watch your kitchen table tyrant wrapped in a red cloak of victory

I Didn’t Mean To Be Here

  I didn’t mean to be here.    Nothing in my Southern Baptist upbringing allowed me to picture standing next to a hospital bed wearing a badge with CLERGY written across the bottom.    I can remember when I received this badge. It took a letter from my church explaining that I was a minister […]

We are Three

“But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!” ’Twas throwing words away; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, “Nay, we are seven!” -from “We Are Seven” by William Wordsworth   This year, 2019, National Siblings Day occurred the week before Holy Week. National Siblings Day […]

In Praise of the Ambush Wedding

In my experience, one ambush wedding begets another, as well it should. Once engaged couples see evidence of a “third way,” between eloping and a full-blown wedding and reception, the appeal is contagious! What is an ambush wedding, exactly? First, the two people getting married must both be in on the surprise. I do not […]

Wedding Season

It’s that time of year once again: Wedding Season! Young clergy women are here to offer some helpful advice and words of wisdom to the happy couples and their family and friends. Let the wedding bells ring! Planning: If you want to get married in a church and/or by a clergy person, contact the church […]

When Love Blurs

I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but let me tell you about my favorite. I met her ten years ago. Her brother was an active member of our neighborhood youth group. He’d walk a few blocks from his house to ours to hang out or participate in an activity. Then, he moved. Their […]

Faithful Families: An Interview with Traci Marie Smith

Faithful Families has new material, expanding on Seamless Faith. Which faith practice were you most excited to add? Though it is a sad practice, I was grateful to write a practice for pregnancy loss. It’s something that was requested in more than one workshop and small group discussion. Losing a child before birth is heart […]

Ask a YCW: Baptism Edition

Dear Askie, Six months ago, my wife and I were blessed with our first child, a beautiful baby boy. We want to have our son baptized at our church, but our pastor is making things difficult. She keeps saying that the baptism needs to be on Sunday morning during the regular service, but that doesn’t […]

Narrative Envy

Not long ago, I was making small talk with a new acquaintance before a board meeting began, and we were sharing about our recent respective vacations. I said, “I went to Chicago with my parents, and we had a lot of fun exploring the many museums, restaurants, and Frank Lloyd Wright houses.” She made some […]