What’s a Christian to Do?

Back from a lovely family vacation, and I learn online and from local media that the Westboro Baptist Church (no, I will not plug them with a link!) plans to visit my fair city next week. On September 1, Vermont’s equal marriage bill goes into effect, and so the hate-sign toting anti-gay ignoramuses from the [...]

Sermon: Rest a While

“Rest a While”
(August 9, 2009) In the midst of their important work of ministry, Jesus calls the disciples to come away with him and rest a while. We might like to say that this is in preparation for greater work ahead, but maybe that’s our way of trying to justify the need for rest, rather [...]

Sermon: Every Little Thing

“Every Little Thing”
(June 14, 2009) The story of the mustard seed growing into a mighty tree reminds us that every little thing is a blessing from God. For what small blessings are you thankful? The prayer-writing exercise (you may be able to hear some responses, but I had to crank up the amplifier so [...]

It does feel different.

I feel like I missed a lot of Conference. Or maybe it’s just that it’s blurry and I only remember the big things.
I preached Wednesday night for the opening memorial service, a tremendous honor that had me sweating glowing like crazy and more nervous than I remember being. Of course the actual sermon was not [...]

What’s with the Ordination thing?

Not everyone who knows me is a church-going Methodist-loving nerd.
I know, strange, but true.
So some have been wondering, what is the ordination thing all about, and if I attend it, what should I do? What should I wear? Can I make cat calls?
No on the last one, please. Clothes on the second one.
What is an [...]

Lessons of the Season

In my life, lessons come in seasons. I like to think that this is because all of life is learning, growing, and cyclical, but it’s probably just because I’m thickheaded and it takes a few whacks with a 2×4 upside the back of the skull for me to realize that God is trying to tell [...]

Six weeks.

It’s been six weeks, and it still hurts like hell sometimes.
I found this blog entry from another mom. It doesn’t all ring true, but a lot of it does, especially her line, “The truth is it’s not fair to make me feel uncomfortable just because you are.” Well said.
Healing comes in small steps, as ever.
—
Reconcile
It’s [...]

Two weeks out

It’s a sunny and almost warm spring day in Central Vermont. I even had a robin on my porch this morning. It’s also two weeks since I lost the baby, and I haven’t managed to go a whole day without tears yet, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for me. Bit by bit.
The flood [...]

Prayer to open a session of the Vermont State Senate

Eternal Source of wisdom and justice, we still our scattered thoughts for a few moments this morning to call to mind the things for which we are thankful: for the beauty of this place we call home, for sunlight caught on glittering tree branches; for the remarkable revelation of your love around us, for the [...]

A Corny Post (Giving Thanks)

At the family/friend gathering where I often celebrate Thanksgiving, we have a tradition at the beginning of the meal. Each person sits down to a plate with three popcorn kernels on it (I’ve realized recently that, as microwave popcorn is the only kind I know how to make, this is tough to replicate at my [...]