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Faith Reflections

Join us on our journey of faith as we explore, discuss and reflect on shared insights from our community. Scripture and reflections written by young women in ministry that relate to the main article are offered here.

Faith Reflections: The truths we tell

Faith Reflections: The truths we tell

by Sara Olson-Smith Our memories are strange things. When we think we've got things filed nicely away in the back of the drawer, something yanks them out, scattering piles of memories like paper across a desk. Sometimes those rediscovered memories are a blessing, like...

Faith Reflections: Feels like Good Friday

Faith Reflections: Feels like Good Friday

by Angela Khabeb A few weeks ago, the gospel text for the third Sunday of Easter was the familiar story of The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). I’ve heard this story throughout my life and preached it many times. But encountering this familiar story through a COVID-19...

Accepting God’s radical grace

Accepting God’s radical grace

by SommerAnn McCullough During the season of Lent, I started a Bible Study group at my church. I was excited to create this space for anyone who wanted to learn more about the lectionary we hear each Sunday in worship. I wanted to build community, dig deeper into the...

A litany for lament

A litany for lament

by Kristen Glass Perez The word lament can be used as a verb (to express sorrow, mourning, or regret) or a noun (wailing, crying out in grief). In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Lamentations is made up of five poems that express grief over the destruction of Jerusalem...

We are claimed in the wilderness

We are claimed in the wilderness

by Joy McDonald Coltvet And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.  Mark 1:11-12 Jesus is baptized and named the Beloved and then is immediately driven to the...

Faith reflections: Beloved and wonderfully made

Faith reflections: Beloved and wonderfully made

by Emily Heitzman It is really hard to be a preteen or teenager today. I unfortunately know this because as a pastor who works with youth, I have seen this firsthand. I’m not saying that it wasn’t difficult to be that age. I received my fair share of unrealistic and...

Advent: The season of illumination

Advent: The season of illumination

by Emily Anne Carson Advent is a season of illumination. We watch and wait to welcome the Light. The Light of Christ empowers us to see the world around us in new and braver ways. The Light radiates in such a way that we recognize reality without fear. It isn't just...

Let’s talk about debt, baby

Let’s talk about debt, baby

by Rozella Haydée White We talk about debt in the same ways we talk about sex. We either don’t talk about it at all, or we relegate it to hushed corners of shame. Debt and sex are two things that most people in this country have, yet the church rarely creates space to...

What Scripture says about God’s love

What Scripture says about God’s love

by Erin Strybis As far as Bible characters go, I’ve always identified more with Martha than Mary. In Luke 10:38-42, when Martha opens her home to Jesus and his disciples, I understand why she’s “distracted with many things.” The disciples were likely tired, smelly and...

What the Bible says about rejection

What the Bible says about rejection

by Becca Ehrlich There was a job that I wanted, and I even had a sense that God was calling me to it. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I got an interview. Colleagues and friends affirmed me, saying that my gifts and skills matched the job. I prayed about it,...