Advent is here. For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” (Psalm 122: 8) Advent is one of the intense seasons of life, especially if you lead a congregation or any people of…
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Episode Index | Season One
Welcome to Season One of Three Minute Ministry Mentor. This index will help you link to weekly episodes: blogs, videos, and podcasts. Season One features fifty topics for learning ministry in practice. These topics are the focus of 50…
Read MoreLent I – Black History Month
Selma I began this first Sunday in Lent by traveling to Harlem in the heart of New York City. After a week of sleet, snow and ice in Nashville, I was grateful for the sunshine, and even the slushy sidewalks. People…
Read MoreOrdinary Time VI
Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman are My Neighbors On Saturday night I went downtown. I felt safe and happy walking through an urban center and meeting up with friends for dinner. When I arrived home from the evening out, I…
Read MoreOrdinary Time II
Off the Grid Until June 11, I’ll be away from my blog. Retreat and extended Sabbath. Peace to you, Eileen
Read MoreOrdinary Time XLI
Advent Eve I’m writing late and posting this prior to the start of Advent. I’ve been at this blogging-twice-weekly for two years now. That’s 190 posts. A few with pictures only. Some original poetry. Lots of stories. Original photos with…
Read MoreSpeaking & Leading
Upcoming Engagements April 1, 2016 Scholastica Luncheon for Women in Ministry Report from the Thailand Pilgrimage Scarritt-Bennett Center Nashville, Tennessee 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Register Here April 7, 2016 Festival of Young (Women) Preachers Sponsored by the Alliance…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXIII
Rant on binge writing “I do not like it, Sam I am!” I’m with Dr. Seuss on this one. I do not like binge writing – that is excessive and obsessive writing for long stretches of time that robs one…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XIX
Slowing Down* Tuesday Morning – I’m out for a run in the neighborhood around the seminary. The day dawns clear and pleasant. I check my watch and calculate. I’ve got 30 minutes before I have to be back and showering…
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Ordinary Time XIII – Practicing Generosity
Practicing Generosity* When I lead retreats about simplicity, solitude, and Sabbath I usually do an exercise like this. I ask those in attendance to help me make two lists. We start with the American Dream. What does that make you…
Read MoreOrdinary Time X
Practical tips for young women (and others) exploring a call to ministry I’m not asked outright for advice every day. And generally even when I am, I try to blink a few times before giving any. But this week I…
Read MoreOrdinary Time V
Essential Rest I can’t think of a better time to write about rest. I’m just coming off nearly three weeks of travel. It became longer than planned because of a death in our family. My husband’s grandfather died this week, and…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXXVII
For me this week, which ends the church year, also marks coming around full circle in a year of blogging. I began with Advent last year. So this week I will take time to read through all 93 entries of the past year. Except for a six week sabbath in July and August, I blogged twice weekly. I will be noticing themes, ideas, patterns, and even things that are missing.
Read MoreOrdinary Time XIII
Wash It Out: One day while I was at Asilomar I was trying to explain to someone why I try to practice detachment. I said something like, “Well, it’s just important to me for everything in life. And I’m not very good at it. That’s why I have to practice.” We laughed. “It’s important for everything, huh?” Yep. I hang on to all sorts of things. How about you? Clothes become the days that I wore them. . . .
Read MoreOrdinary Time X
While I was away from blogging a lot happened. Life has a way of carrying on, whether I write something down about it or not. Of course. (Smile.) A few moments from the past six weeks seem worth revisiting . . . for what I learned from them. There were some important personal discoveries, not all of which need air time on a blog. Other moments keep sending sending their messages along. So here is one. I fell. I fell down and I can’t believe I didn’t break anything.
Read MoreEaster X
I’ve wanted to start a series on healing for several weeks now. But every time I get plans underway it seems something new crops up that needs healing . . . like discovering how many files are really unrecoverable from my defunct hard drive, or seeing our drowned garden, or finding myself living in a city experiencing its worst devastation since the Civil War.
Read MoreEaster III
One of the best gifts we can give to people is to ask them “How did God’s presence get you through that tough spot in your life?” This was the advice of sociologist and self-described “immigrant in practical theology” Nancy Ammerman. Nancy gave the opening key note address at the Association for Practical Theology last Friday evening.
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