A “Real” Family
Our real family started in the car that day, driving home from the doctor’s office. It all boiled down to one question: did we want to be pregnant or did […]
Milk and Mother God
“Can a woman forget her baby or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15 I […]
Should I Stay, or Should I Go?
The first church I served didn’t have a parental leave policy in place when I was called. As a seminarian, the congregation supported me through marriage and ordination; then they […]
Where Everybody Knows your Name
Our family lost a beautiful, perfect, planned, wanted, beloved baby on July 4. Since then, lots of things have been helping me make it through each day, while other things […]
Diapering “Baby Jesus”
The parish Christmas pageant took place today. My nine-month-old son was slated to play the baby Jesus. There was no competition for that role this year, despite my efforts to […]
Thanks and Giving
I teach my son thankfulness and the practices of gratitude. I teach him to say “thank you” when someone gives him something. As soon as he learns his letters I […]
Choosing to Serve
“Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Every choice we make to do […]
What is Most Important
I lost it twice. I broke down crying, wondering what has happened to me and my life and how in the world I could be both a mom and a […]
Simple Things: On Welcoming Families with Children
I have attended almost every conference that The Young Clergy Women Project has hosted, but the conference in Nashville last month was the first one that offered childcare as part […]
Making Lists: One Mom’s Response to the Trayvon Martin Case
As a wife, mother, and clergy person I struggle with what to tell my son about Trayvon Martin. As the mother of a five-month old black male, I am particularly […]
