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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3MMM | Episode 231: Paying Attention
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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3MMM | Episode 230: Advocating for Women
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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3MMM | Episode 229: Ask the Children
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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3MMM | Episode 228: Lenten Spiritual Practices
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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3MMM | Episode 227: An Introduction
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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3MMM | Episode 226: Notice, Appreciate, Wonder
Happy New Year’s Eve! This is not a post that will scream about the last minute, or rush you to give, buy, do, support, or show up somewhere. Instead it is a post that looks back a little and forward…
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3MMM | Episode 225: Christmas ~ Christ Light
~ Christmas ~ Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you “I will hold the Christ Light for you in the nighttime of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you…
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3MMM | Episode 224: Advent Four ~ Healing Light
~ Advent Four ~ moon and stars pour their healing light on you “Moon and stars pour their healing light on you ” is our prayer for the fourth week of Advent 2023. If the world ever needed healing, it…
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3MMM | Episode 223: Advent Three ~ Quiet Earth
~ Advent Three ~ deep peace of the quiet earth to you “Deep peace of the quiet earth to you” is our prayer for the third week of Advent 2023. Here in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, we felt a stark…
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3MMM | Episode 222: Advent Two ~ Flowing Air
~ Advent Two ~ deep peace of the flowing air to you Welcome to the second week of Advent 2023. We are continuing to bring to you a new prayer practice, rooted in ancient ways. Music and art come together…
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3MMM | Episode 221: Advent One ~ Deep Peace
~ Advent One ~ deep peace of the running wave to you Welcome to Advent 2023. This year we are bringing you a new prayer practice, rooted in ancient ways. Music and art for your reflection and nourishment. Praying with our…
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3MMM | Episode 220: Vocational Reflection Questions
This week I had the joy of interviewing four senior scholars by asking them vocational reflection questions. The occasion was the gathering in San Antonio, Texas of the American Academy of Religion. The AAR program unit “Psychology, Culture, and Religion”…
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All Saints’ Day Event (11/01/2023)
We will gather for an ALL SAINTS’ DAY Event November 1 for 45 minutes 1p ET // 12p CT // 11a MT // 10a PT A Zoom link will be sent to your email when you sign up below. Mark…
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3MMM | Episode 218: Appreciating Ministry Volunteers
During this clergy appreciation month, I want to take time for appreciating ministry volunteers. Let’s also give thanks for the volunteer clergy who serve without pay. And offer gratitude for the variety of Christian vocations to which God calls people.…
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3MMM | Episode 217: Vocational Grief
Gratitude is rightly our focus during clergy appreciation month, yet as part of our acknowledgement of clergy today, let’s also attend to the reality of vocational grief. While it can be hard to name and process, and typically remains out…
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3MMM | Episode 216: Clergy Appreciation Month
It’s clergy appreciation month and we have some ideas for you to express gratitude to the ministers, pastors, chaplains, and ministry professors in your life. Maybe you In this week’s episode, you will find: 5 questions to ask 4 studies…
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3MMM | Episode 215: Facing Brick Walls
Facing Brick Walls “Nobody ever liked Eileen anyway.” Ouch. “Eileen, I’m really hoping that you will be our next pastor.” Oooof. These words, and many variations on them, polarized the congregation when I left it over 20 years ago. What…
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3MMM | Episode 214: Making Connections
This weekend I spent time renewing and making new connections with Baptist friends. As an extrovert I found this mostly energizing. I know it’s not everyone’s idea of fun. And maybe you would rather make connections with one person over…
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3MMM | Episode 213: Everyday Ministry Puzzles
For women in ministry and lgbtiqa+ ministers*, everyday ministry puzzles are an unavoidable part of living into one’s calling and work. When I listen to the ministers I study, seminary students, friends, and colleagues in ministry, I hear stories about…
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3MMM | Episode 212: Called to Ministry
Blessed are you who are called by God to serve the church… Then along comes someone saying surely you misheard. Or that you don’t know what you are doing. They practically shout, wrong number! They are the ones who are…
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