Three things I hold

I am a member of both my Annual Conference's Delegation to General Conference 2020, and of our Conference Task Force exploring whether and how Methodists in New England might become a new and inclusive Methodist movement. Between juggling these roles and my own passion for the future of ministry in my local Methodist church and…

The System is Rigged

It's been a while, but this got too long for Facebook, so here is a real, live, non-sermon reflection. The System is Rigged: Some thoughts on diversity of voice in the new book, to which so many of my spirit-led and talented friends and colleagues contributed: We Pray With Her: Encouragement for All Women Who…

To Bishop KO with Love

Next week, the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church will rule on cases concerning out LGBTQ clergy in the denomination. While the outcome of these cases will certainly have a huge impact on the global UMC, no matter what that outcome is, I'm distressed by the mischaracterization of what the cases address. The Judicial…

UMC, this is the moment.

I try not to be too dramatic. Okay, maybe I try not to be needlessly dramatic. But I'm convinced that with hindsight it will be clear: This is the moment that a new structure for an existing denomination-- or an entirely new denomination-- will begin its birth pangs. I hope it's that first thing, hear me.…

How did we get here?

The New England Annual (regional) Conference of The United Methodist Church experienced a watershed moment this week-- so many watershed moments that it's clear this is not a moment, but a movement. I speak not only of the passage of an Action of Non-Conformity with the General Conference of our denomination, but of the whole…

Only Love Can Do That

Saturday night, I had an experience that I can only describe as something between a conversion and an affirmation, while sitting (briefly) on the floor of the Church & Society 2 legislative committee. Grace at General Conference? I know. I came in as a substitute for my friend and a member of our delegation, LaTrelle, who…

A Letter to NH Governor Hassan

On Monday, Governor Maggie Hassan (NH), issued this statement through her communications director: “The Governor believes that the federal government should halt acceptance of refugees from Syria until intelligence and defense officials can assure that the process for vetting all refugees, including those from Syria, is as strong as possible to ensure the safety of…

Sermon: Crumbled Grace

"Crumbled Grace" (September 6, 2015) A woman came to Jesus, begging for healing for her child, and she was Syrian... I mean, Syrophoenician. Dare we believe, even in the face of global crisis, that the smallest act of love, the smallest scrap of grace, makes a difference? (Mark 7:24-37)

Broken Circles, Shattered Hope

Every time someone sidesteps or over-steps the marginalized, every time someone stifles holy conversation or the ministry of lay persons, every time someone uses the order given us not to guide and protect but to circumvent and then consolidate power and privilege, every time someone allows prayer or a call to follow Jesus to be hurtful rather than to build up the body, I will be there-- objecting, amending, opining, and advocating. Every. Time.

Reflecting on the Social Principles Consultation

A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to the offices of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. There I participated in a Consultation on the Social Principles, one of eight planned meetings "to consider a process about how to make the United Methodist Social Principles more succinct,…