Consider the Plants, Week 5: When Seeds Take Root

Introduction I first heard about Suzanne Simard’s Mothering Tree book on the On Being podcast where she was interviewed. In this interview, she described the wisdom that exists deep in the woods. Her research had uncovered that not only do trees communicate with each other through an underground root system using mycelium, but also they […]

Mental Health Boundaries from a Recovering One-Year Pastor

I knew I had made a mistake as I sat in a COVID-distanced circle with my district superintendent and the five people I trusted most in my church to discuss my future as their pastor. Well, really, I knew that I had made a mistake when someone I had counted as a supporter and friend […]

Consider the Plants, Week 4: Consider the Fig Tree

Prayer Loving One, Maker of Trees and Blossoms, Song and Fragrance, help us see in the natural world around us signs of your presence and possibility.  Give us courage to praise you though the fruit we see now may only be half-formed on the branch.

Consider the Plants, Week 3: Sacrifice Caught in a Thicket

Prayer of the Day Oh God-who-sees us in all our extremity and need. Open our eyes to see your provision and grace, even when it requires us to turn around and look into the thorny and prickly places. Remind us that you are no stranger to sacrifice and pain. May our seeing lead to trust […]

Trauma Informed Approaches to Pastoral Care (Interview With The Rev. Kerri Erbig)

As an Episcopal priest who has spent her entire career working full-time in psychiatric or medical hospital settings, I often find it difficult to translate my experiences and knowledge of mental health and illness in ways that are useful for parish clergy. I operate in a very boundaried setting with set hours. My patients don’t […]

Support for Women Who Pastor

Since the highly publicized Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) vote on women being pastors (which wasn’t actually news to many of us female clergy), my social media feed has been flooded with posts from churches, pastors, congregants, etc., condemning the SBC’s decision and proclaiming their support for women in ministry. It never directly says but often […]

Consider the Plants, Week 2: Ishmael Under a Bush

Prayer of the Day God of All Creation, we thank you for the companionship of plants throughout our lives. In times of distress, give us the courage to cry out. Give us faith to remember that God is listening and will show us a way through our wilderness. We offer our prayers in the promise […]

Fandom Religion

Sometime during the catastrophe that was 2020, my husband told me there was a new show we could watch. An American football coach goes to England to coach a professional soccer team. I wasn’t really interested in a sports show, but with a newborn at home and nowhere to go, I finally agreed to watch […]

Consider the Plants, Week 1 : The Oaks of Mamre

Introduction Last spring, I read Debbie Blue’s book Consider the Birds.1 Each chapter explores one kind of bird – its diet, its habitat, its cultural significance, its vulnerabilities. It also explores what it might have to teach us about God on the move in the world and amidst our humanity. I loved digging into supposedly […]

What a Pastor Looks Like

“Well, I guess this is what pastors look like nowadays.” I have served in ministry for thirteen years now, and comments like these still strike me silent. I’m not sure what to say that isn’t assuming, snarky, or defensive, so I often just politely nod.  The most recent time such a comment was made was […]