by Susie Shaefer Watching people receive communion is one of the privileges of ministry – but never before had people commented to me that they were watching as I received, and then shared, the elements with my daughter. I suppose that wearing a baby on your back will draw some attention. I’m familiar with the […]
By Shelley Nelson-Bridger In 2008, the congregation I was then serving, Egypt Lutheran, began the journey of Advent carrying much pain, grief and unanswered questions over the loss of two matriarchs to cancer as well as the murder of a father and adult-son of Egypt and the attempted murder of the same family’s mother. In […]
by Name Withheld Like so many other clergy, now is when I feel the stretch of balancing the long to-do list of the Advent and Christmas seasons and the hopes and expectations of family. And while every year brings a unique loneliness, I’ve grown somewhat used to that feeling of being separated from the ones […]
by Elsa A. Peters It seems like Advent came early this year. In the texts that we shared in worship approaching the end of Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary, I heard the restlessness that is so familiar to our radical hope in the coming of Christ. I heard it in texts where it might […]
by Lee Hull Moses The Herdman children (those beloved bullies from Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), don’t know the Christmas story. They’ve never heard of Mary and Joseph. They aren’t sure what to make of the shepherds and the angels seem like something out of a comic book. They’re angry at the innkeeper […]
by Leah Grundset I always contemplate how I could make a living creating playlists. Other than being a DJ, I’m not sure this talent is highly desired or sought after in the world. But in my little microcosm of life my friends and I wait for Advent with added excitement. We are waiting for the […]
by Lara Blackwood Pickrel When I was a little girl, Advent was my absolute favorite time of year. It is true that part of the excitement had to do with the promise of gifts under the tree – but my love for the season went far beyond a desire for presents. Looking back, it is […]
by Maria Bergius Krämer Today, I was approached by two of our oldest ladies in church. They are 93 and 97 years old, and regulars at laudes (morning prayer), Monday soup, Sunday Mass and just about everything else that their frail legs can carry them to. They called me over to their table, and asked […]
NaNoWriMo is eating my soul. This is how it happened: On the first day of this month, I saw a Facebook post about NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. I had not intended to do this. I had not premeditated my plan of attack. I hadn’t even heard of it. But something about this challenge […]
by Kedron Jarvis (Nicholson) We are engaged. Usually it comes out like this: “We're engaged!!!” Admittedly, I have been smiling for five months almost non-stop. Wedding planning is in full swing. Save-the-dates have been mailed, the reception and rehearsal dinner sites are secured, and china is selected. My father, the florist, has a zillion ideas […]
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