Leaders Who Apologize

I’ve been thinking a lot of yearbooks – the ones with the flimsy covers that you likely received in elementary school. I’m thinking of the kind that would list what each person wanted to be when they grew up – as if your young   imagination could even begin to conceive of all of the […]

Liturgical Resources for Advent: A compilation and review

I’m Episcopalian so I rely heavily on pre-written and prescribed prayers, pre-chosen texts, and liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer and other resources approved by The Episcopal Church. However, as a psychiatric hospital chaplain I draw more widely on outside resources for liturgical planning. Last year my department decided to purchase electronic liturgical resources […]

Ten Books to Read in Your First Five Years of Ministry

First, take a break! You finally finished seminary, and I’m sure that you’ve got a lot of good learning under your belt. Use what you’ve got already and take some time to just read for fun. Or don’t read anything at all! Once you’re feeling that itch to dig into some theology or theory again, […]

Immigration and our Call to Love

Her name is Isabelle.1 Originally from Venezuela, she left her home because she and her husband could not afford to feed their children. Life in Venezuela had become untenable. So they left, in search of a better life in America. They traveled over 2000 miles and crossed 8 countries. Their journey led them through the […]

Tithing Time

When we speak of spiritual disciples, the list seems extensive. Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, listed meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration – and this is just a starting point. Other writings contain stewardship, journaling, and Sabbath. I have seen lists upon lists of spiritual […]

Ask a Young Clergywoman: Pastoral Care Inadequacy Edition

Dear Askie, I’m in my first few years of ministry, and, while I have always been highly empathic, I feel almost hypocritical when people come to me with their problems and grief. How can I offer good, authentic pastoral care to people who are suffering and going through terrible experiences when I myself have always […]

Prayer for Historic Pregnancy Loss

Sadly, miscarriage and pregnancy loss are an all-too-common reality all around the world, and I can count myself among that number. In hospital chaplaincy I have found people like me who have felt that pain and emptiness – some who have been able to nurture a living child, and some who have not. Regardless of […]

Repairers of the Breach

The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the […]

When Your Heart Aches

It’s been a week. It’s been a week since they announced an e-learning day, just one, for schools because of the coming Hurricane. It’s been a week since we shifted and sent computers home with students anticipating they had enough charge for one day of work since we would be back in the classroom on […]

Talking About Gun Violence With Our Kids

Kids are smart. They’re like teeny little philosophers, seeking to make sense of the world and always asking the pointed question I never seem to have the answer to on hand! That can make us want to avoid tough conversations. But if we don’t have these conversations, our kids are going to pick up information […]