I had a revelation the other day: My ministry is a grumpy teenager. For people new to my blog, I should mention I am an ordained clergy person in the United Church of Christ. I also teach yoga and meditation and do leadership and organizational development and am a...
She was my great grandmother, Canceda Reed, responsible for my patent leather shoes and annual Easter bonnet. She is the one who made sure I was properly prepared for Saturday afternoon church teas in the basement with mints, butterscotch and a balled up dollar in my...
This post is the sixth in a series exploring the practice of Drishti (focus on a particular point, traditionally in meditation or yoga poses). Rev. Nicole Havelka, the usual author of this blog, writes about how her ordination anniversary provided a perfect reflection...
I had just finished a morning run. Dripping with sweat and in desperate need of a shower, I noticed my phone ringing. Ivy Beckwith, my friend and colleague on the Faith Formation Team at the national UCC was calling. I was intrigued, but let the call go to voicemail...
I have been told that on my ordination day 12 years ago, my friend Brett was talking to Pastor Bill before the service was going to start. Pastor Bill said something like, “We don’t do anything to celebrate Reformation Day. We really should do something.” My friend...
When I was 22 years old, I’m pretty sure that when I envisioned what I’d be doing at age 41, I dreamt things like winning an Oscar or a Pulitzer Prize (or at least having been nominated). I would work at the New York Times as a film critic or an investigative...
The girls became blurs of black and white ribbon, green gingham and white lace as they twirled, leapt and frolicked around the folk art communion table. Their slightly askance pirouettes melded seamlessly into the upbeat prelude played by the worship band just in...
With so many things in flux this year, it's a good time to take a step back and reassess your holiday (and other). Join me for a 4-week online retreat, Reinventing Ritual. Register here. ***** I attended A LOT of weddings in my 20s. These events often served as...
This blog series, Family Ministry: Not Just for the Christian Right Anymore, explores how family-based faith formation ministry will help progressive Christian values take root first in homes and then throughout our communities and the world in order to spread justice...
With incredible ease I can transport myself back to that beautiful fall, Halloween day 10 years ago. I remember posing in front of the church marquee emblazoned with my name holding my then 6-month old nephew. I remember hastily sending friends back to the grocery...
This blog series, Family Ministry: Not Just for the Christian Right Anymore, explores how family-based faith formation ministry will help progressive Christian values take root first in homes and then throughout our communities and the world in order to spread justice...
Pure desperation sparked my fledgling attempts to use videoconferencing software for meetings and other gatherings. Scattered, over-programmed people just couldn’t find time to drive 1-2 hours to yet another meeting each month. Children’s school plays, band concerts...
Sunday morning. I hold a tiny cup of watery coffee in my less-than-dainty hands. A few properly dressed matriarchs and patriarchs of the church I’m visiting stare at me kindly, chatting absently about the weather, inquiring about my drive that morning, commenting on...
Following the Light is a series of blogs that point to the brights spots where I see renewal and rebirth in the world of religion and spirituality. The series will continue through the Christian season of Epiphany. I just wish Ken Ham and Bill Nye could have sat down...
I can’t think of too many weekends more perfect than that Labor Day weekend in 2007. Three good friends and I loaded cars and trekked to the lake house we were borrowing on Lake Michigan just near Saugatuck, Michigan late on Friday night. Clear, blue skies, perfect...