This year I want to think beyond “American Thanksgiving” and its usual traditions. I want to share with you my commitment to understanding, learning from, and supporting Indigenous Peoples. Many of them are seeking to care for and “reclaim stewardship…
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Our guest this week is Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, and he is sharing his new book and his process of writing about faith. Bruce is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA, a speaker, and the author of five books…
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Today we are considering the very important question of how to worship? This is our final episode from my conversation with Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes. What a joy to share Cláudio’s enthusiasm and wisdom for practices of creativity, sustaining the…
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In my conversation with Rev. Dr Cláudio Carvalhaes this week, we talk about how to pray. We begin with one of Claudio’s recent projects and books Liturgies from Below: Praying with People at the End of the World. The project…
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This week we welcome Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes for a conversation about sustaining creativity. In our first conversation last week we talked with Cláudio about how he created the play “When Wajcha Meets Pachamama.” Watch or listen to Episode 245…
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I’m excited to welcome my friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes to talk with me and you about many things, starting this week with creative process. Claudio is a professor, minister, liturgist, artist, and author. A year ago he…
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I want to talk with you this week about teaching pastoral imagination. As we launch a new year of theological education in the US, I am hearing again: “pastors and ministers are not fully prepared for their work.” Recent studies…
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We asked some wise pastors and professors for a some back-to-school wisdom for 2024, and they generously shared it. You will find their wisdom in this post for students of all ages, parents, teachers, and seminarians. We hope you will…
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Callie Swanlund‘s new book is part of a beautiful and growing effort by writers addressing ministers and church leaders, reminding us, you are not alone! From Weary to Wholehearted is Callie’s love letter to remind you and me of many…
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Taking out the trash reminded me how transition and grief are messy and complicated I move four dusty pink vases, two glass candy dishes, and an old cigar box off the brown microwave cart. I check the drawer and cabinet.…
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It’s hard to believe that an hour of writing with support each weekday is enough to really accomplish anything. And one of my Vanderbilt professors used to say, If you are going to be a successful scholar and publish enough…
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The last seven weeks of my life have been like no other, and they have included unearthing treasure among other things. On Good Friday we began the process of taking over finances, legalities, and material stuff to support my parents…
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This week we are back with Rev. Callie Swanlund and talking about what it means to live into a sustainable and wholehearted ministry. Tomorrow May 7 is a big day for Callie and her new book From Weary to Wholehearted: A…
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We are celebrating a new book for clergy and lay leaders: From Weary to Wholehearted is landing soon! This “love letter” from Rev. Callie Swanlund is a remedy for these days of clergy isolation, exhaustion, and burnout. Callie is a…
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The end of March often arrives, and I realize that I didn’t mark the anniversary or celebrate my ordination. This year I’m celebrating on March 19. It is the day I was ordained. And I’m happy to share a few…
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Where were you on March 11, 2020, four years ago? The start of the COVID-19 pandemic was different for everyone by a few days. March 11 was the day the coronavirus was declared a global pandemic. On March 9, I…
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What is the purpose of Lent? Learning to pay attention. And what is the purpose of paying attention? Being present to God and each other and all of creation. And what happens when we pay attention and become more present…
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Imagine advocating for a place where women and lgbtiqa+ people preach and lead most Sundays. A place where seminary students seek to learn from wise pastors. Where every age person from youngest to eldest has a place and a role…
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Whatever ministry we are considering, it is profoundly important that we ask the children. And after we ask them, it is even more important to listen. This week I have been with a cohort of nine churches. We are considering…
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Three Questions to ask about Lenten Spiritual Practices I grew up thinking that Lenten spiritual practices always meant giving something up. Fasting. Giving up chocolate, coffee, or meat as a daily reminder to pray. And for quite a few years…
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I just returned home after being away most of January. I took a lovely vacation with my daughter and my mother-in-law. We traveled to Hawaii, a beautiful place that I truly love. It was the only state of the United…
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