When I have those “sighs too deep for words” days, I find myself going back to songs in Swahili that are so deep in my heart they hold me steady when the world is spinning. It’s been one of those weeks. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier to find the… Continue reading
I believe to the core of my soul that God loves and calls children and youth and that the Holy Spirit dwells in them. Let’s be honest—I’m not a great youth minister. I don’t remember the fun games. I don’t have a bunch of treats and prizes in my back pocket. I forget… Continue reading
The practice of writing an end-of-year letter likely stems from all those years of watching my parents send and receive newsletters and prayer letters from various friends and supporters. I still receive a variety of updates from friends and relatives–most who are working overseas or are in ministry in some… Continue reading
I went Christmas carolling recently. Instead of only singing verses 1 and 2 of carols, the leader passed out song books and we sang all the verses of each carol. The combination of memories, connections, references, and experiences that wove together in my heart and mind as we walked the… Continue reading
I recently heard that my dorm mom from my senior year of high school was ill and died. Even though my time in Miss Karen’s dorm was over 20 years ago, hearing about her sickness and death still affected me. Miss Karen was my dorm mom my senior year of… Continue reading
Sermon–Christ the King, Year C Luke 23:33-43Zion Lutheran Church, Beausejour, Manitoba Today’s gospel is all about challenging expectations and holding on to a bigger picture. In that sense, it’s a particularly appropriate reading for the end of the year. As we flip our calendars from October to November, and pretty soon to… Continue reading
In November 2018 I was invited to lead the Bible study at the Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women’s Fall Gathering at Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg, FL. The text for the weekend was 1 John 4:7-21. The theme was “It’s all about love.”
This reflection was prepared for Trinity Lutheran Church in Pembroke Pines, FL, in October, 2020. A creative rendering of what the biblical character Sarah might have written in her journal, or as an email to a friend. Sarah reflects on how to support a vision she couldn’t see, and the… Continue reading
Sermon—Oct. 30, 2022 (Epiphany Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba)John 8:31-36; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28 Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus. Amen. When was the last time you got to answer the question “how did you get here?” If you’ve moved to a new city, house or country, you… Continue reading
Sermon—Oct. 16, 2022 (Sherwood Park Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba) Luke 18:1-18 The last time I was here we were shifting from the season of Easter to “Ordinary time,” or the season after Pentecost. Now, through our readings, we’re winding our way through the last few weeks of the season after Pentecost,… Continue reading