Dear friends, This week I preached on sabbath-keeping, and how it can make us into braver, more generous people. I spoke mostly poetically about it, painting large brushstrokes over the various ways the sabbath commandments were followed by ancient Israel and could be practiced again today. But some of you are pragmatists, so to balance out the poetry, here are some practicals:…

Last Sunday in the wake of the terrible Paris attacks I prayed for imams and all Muslim leaders who need to reclaim and interpret their religions so that the world doesn’t mistakenly allow Daesh (a better term for the so-called “Islamic State”) to be accepted as a valid interpretation for Islam. My prayer, if you will, was for those who are fighting…

My job really hasn’t shifted much since my ordination. I do appreciate it when you call me Rev., of course, and relish the opportunity to wear fancy stoles (Advent is coming soon!) but in the day-to-day business, not much has changed. I have however taken on some of those “extra duties as assigned,” and here’s the newest one: Presbytery service. Yes, Presbytery,…

I returned last week from the Company of New Pastors gathering in St. Louis, MO, where I got to romp in bright-colored fall leaves, meet lots of new Presbyterian pastors, connect with old friends, and pray and sing. Although I will remind myself never to schedule TWO weeks of study leave, one right after another, I am still grateful for both of…