Category Archives: Uncategorized

Journal Entry:  5/23/14 The “Dear Jean” Concert at Union Church in Berea, KY, tonight was a phenomenal experience!  Jean Ritchie lives in Berea and is a member of the church Rachel Small Stokes serves.  She’s had a stroke and is … Continue reading →

Sabbatical was great!  Having time to rest and play and make music and new friends…All my colleagues who have taken sabbaticals didn’t lie:  the last four months have renewed me as nothing else ever has. …which means that I am ready … Continue reading →

How blessed I am to serve such a wonderful church!  Thanks, Ugena.   ***************   Numbers 6: 24-26   24 “‘”The Lord bless you     and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you     and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you     and … Continue reading →

Holy One, It’s Mother’s Day.  Chances are good that we’ve got some feelings about that… Some of us feel gratitude:  for excellent mothering we have received– from birth mothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, surrogate mothers, and as one of our children … Continue reading →

            Koinonia.  It’s a Greek word that occurs in today’s Scripture lesson and describes the community created by the first followers of Jesus…a community characterized by devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and breaking bread and praying together.  For those … Continue reading →

            Christ is risen!  Christ is risen indeed!Easter.Do you believe in it?  It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, is it?  Jesus—Son of God—raised from the dead, appearing to people, walking through walls… For us scientifically-minded people, … Continue reading →

Some Christians make confessions with Ash Wednesday ashes.  This year, I have a confession to make about Ash Wednesday ashes.  I forgot to order them.  The small packet of ashes I had picked up from the Cokesbury store in Decatur … Continue reading →

Today, I make the first down payment on the plane tickets to Ireland and the second installment of the cost for the Ireland tour.  It’s really getting real now! This sabbatical has taken a lot of planning; there are lots … Continue reading →

One of the things that started child psychologist Robert Coles on his professional journey was meeting six-year-old Ruby Bridges.  In the early 60s, Ruby was chosen to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans.  For most of that year, she … Continue reading →

            Has anyone else found these last few sermons annoying?  I sure have.  So, People are doing everything they’re supposed to do–attending worship, making sacrifices, fasting…They’re following the religious rules faithfully, when some prophetscome along and tell themthat going through … Continue reading →