by Becca Ehrlich I grew up in an interfaith household. My Mom is Roman Catholic; my Dad is Jewish. Though neither of my parents were particularly active in their faith traditions, we celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas, a tradition I continue to do every holiday season. I was confirmed and welcomed into the church as […]
by Meredith Harber “But still the clever north wind was not satisfied. It spoke to Vianne of towns yet to be visited, friends in need yet to be discovered, battles yet to be fought. . .” One of my favorite movies is Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Not only is it about chocolate, […]
Content warning: Suicide is mentioned in this issue. If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk for Suicide, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, […]
by Amy Waelchli “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15: 12-13 NRSVUE) I’m a self-proclaimed “Word Nerd.” I sometimes struggled with deadlines in my seminary studies of Biblical Hebrew and Greek, because […]
by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Are you looking to carve out some time for yourself? Are you looking to connect with your faith? Are you looking to deepen your sense of the sacred in our midst? Come and retreat. This one-day retreat is designed for you. And the gift of this retreat is that you can take […]
The Rev. Ralen M. Robinson “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26) Her arms are outstretched, always ready to embrace me from the harsh world. Her mouth is upturned in a smile, greeting me. Her voice flows out, blanketing me with love, and her presence shields […]
by Sarah Carson For as long as I can remember, there have been two places I’ve turned when things get challenging: 1) to my faith, 2) to poetry. As someone who grew up in church, I’ve learned prayer can be powerful when I have questions, doubts, and even anger. It can be a way to […]
by Ralen M. Robinson They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. (Luke 24:2-3) When my sister and I were little, we eagerly looked forward to spring–and Easter. Easter Sunday meant fluffy dresses, frilly white ankle socks, colored barrettes and shiny little white […]
by the Rev. Ralen M. Robinson Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8) The cool clay forms within my hands, molding and contorting to the pressure of my fingers as it forms into a round ball. It […]
by Dr. Crystal L. Hall This article offers five steps with accompanying biblical principles for creating rest in a world of busyness. As a coach for women in ministry, I’ve helped dozens of lay professionals, pastors and deacons create sabbath practices that stick with these steps. 1. Build awareness of how your culture has shaped […]