Author Archives: reallifepastor

I was trying to put my thoughts together about last night’s Maundy Thursday service, when this email arrived. Lynne gave her permission to post it. Thanks, Lynne! Maundy Thursday took on a whole new meaning for me tonight. I don’t … Continue reading →

Today’s communion intro… Before I started hanging out with the sisters at the monastery, I thought monastic life was, well, boring. You go to prayer three times a day, mass once a day, and share all your meals with the … Continue reading →

I confess that it took me a while to get used to Gracie. She’s one of the cats we welcomed into our home last November. You see, Gracie is a black cat. A solid black cat. I don’t consider myself … Continue reading →

Yesterday at my clergywomen support group, I told my colleagues about how hard the whole ashes thing had been this year. One friend said that she, too, had had a hard time with it. Then she got an idea. “I … Continue reading →

So, I told Allen at supper that I hate–just hate–Ash Wednesday services. “That’s because they’re all about sin,” he said. But I don’t think that’s it. I am a woman of errors, well-acquainted with sin. As a participant, I love … Continue reading →

Allen and I were awakened from a sound sleep around 1:00 this morning by the jazz riffs of a solo flutist playing in the living room. Our living room. I knew I’d left my flute out…and I know we’ve got … Continue reading →

This was a hard one…hearing the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of funeral protesters. The Phelps clan has been around for a long time marching with signs that declare with certainty what God thinks and who God hates. Everything in … Continue reading →

I only read 9 books in February…but, hey. The month only had 28 days, right? Here they are: 1) Myers, Tamar. Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth. (PennDutch mysteries, #1) 2) Wallace, Daniel. The Watermelon King (Southern fiction, by the … Continue reading →

Yesterday’s worship service was AMAZING…under the able direction of one of our adults, the kids planned the entire service. They welcomed, they ushered, they prayed, they took up the offering, they preached, they sang…it was a phenomenal worship experience. Then … Continue reading →

One of the disappointments of pastoring is when members who once were gung-ho about the church slowly pull away. A quote from Jean Vanier, the founder of the L’Arche communities suggests one possible reason for some people’s disenchantment with community… … Continue reading →