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
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
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
It’s been a while, but I finally got my Maundy Thursday sermon added. Looking back at this sermon, I don’t know if I got it right or not. You’ll remember that April 2 was Maundy Thursday, but was also the day of the shootings in Garissa, Kenya. I spent the… Continue reading
At a Deaconess Board Retreat, this question was posed: “Think of one person in your context…what is that person teaching you?” The first person who came to mind for me was a 4 yr. old in my congregation. When she’s there on a Sunday morning, this little girl sits with… Continue reading
This past Sunday I preached. People have been encouraging me to preach without a manuscript, but I couldn’t quite do it. Prep time. Confidence in what I was saying. Overall enthusiasm. Yeah…I needed the manuscript.