I’m sitting at the Conference on Ministry, the annual gathering of rostered leaders in this synod. Each fall we spend 2 days with other pastors and leaders, getting reconnected with colleagues and reflecting on this crazy work we are all doing. This is the 6th COM from what I can… Continue reading
A few years ago I re-worked the words to the song “Thank you” by Ray Boltz, to be a note of appreciation to the volunteers in my congregation. It might be time to pull it out and share it again: Thank You words by Michelle Collins Based on the song… Continue reading
In one of the Bible studies this weekend, we were pondering the passage from John 6 where the disciples are in a boat, the storm rises, and Jesus is nowhere to be found. We were encouraged to get into groups according to how we process life artistically–through writing, art, fabric… Continue reading
Once a year I gather with my Sisters in the Deaconess Community of the ELCA for fellowship and for important conversations about the Community and our ministry in the church. These are some of my favorite days in the year. Gathering with women who are doing similar ministry as me,… Continue reading
I was in the States for 8th grade, and near the end of the year was getting ready to go on a summer mission trip to Mexico with a friend’s youth group. One day as we were getting ready for P.E. and reflecting on the orientation meeting we’d been to… Continue reading
Sermon illustrations come from the funniest places. Recently, my little brother was texting me pictures of these amazing meals he was preparing: So I sent him a picture of my fridge with the text, “Clearly I need a paycheck and to go shopping.” I had recently returned back from a Youth Mission trip,… Continue reading
“He replied, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to him, “What do you command your servant, my lord?” The commander of the army of the Lord said to Joshua,… Continue reading
A sermon about challenging the system, lifting up young adults, intergenerational faith formation, new and emerging languages of faith, the Holy Spirit and LeBron James. Sermon manuscript from June 7 Audio version of sermon
We step towards each other and those around us, and we remind each other that “there’s no space where God’s love can’t reach. There’s no place where we can’t find peace.” And then we stand together One of the challenges of contemporary worship is creating space for complicated emotions like… Continue reading
If there is one theological concept that is really hard for me to wrap my head around, it’s this concept of God’s radical love for humanity. More than humanity…God’s radical love for ME. Mind you, this is something I teach about all the time. Recently, I even preached about it…. Continue reading