In 2009 I created a series of materials to teach the Fruit of the Spirit at the preschool where I was teaching. My class was in charge of the lesson on self-control, so we chose the story of the Israelites in the desert to talk about self-control. Here is our… Continue reading
In 2009 I created a series of lessons and reflections about the Fruit of the Spirit for the preschool where I was teaching. My class got to help teach about patience during the weekly chapel time. I wrote the following poem, and then took pictures of them in different staged… Continue reading
If the renewing story of Christ is going to be given the clothing of its context, the values of accompaniment need to take the place of values like power, privilege and survival. The values of accompaniment look like mutuality, vulnerability, inclusivity, empowerment and sustainability. Sermon for ELCIC Global Mission Sunday, Feb…. Continue reading
The question about how to “love your neighbour” is not about itemizing and classifying who qualifies as worthy of love. Loving our neighbour is as much about reflecting on our own biases, prejudices and priorities that show up when we are faced with someone who is suffering. Sermon preached during the… Continue reading
But Jesus still calls. Jesus still heals. Jesus still teaches. Jesus still restores people to wholeness and community. Our human limitations do not limit God and the impact of the Gospel. Pentecost 17a–Matthew 20:1-6 (The Church of St. Stephen & St. Bede, Winnipeg, on the last worship service in their location) Grace and… Continue reading
Whether the miracle in this story is that the loaves and fish from the disciples somehow fed more than 5000 people, or whether the miracle is that the generosity of the disciples inspired the generosity of others…in that deserted place, both the disciples and the crowd are faced with the… Continue reading
I wrote this poem during seminary as a way to explore the ELCA’s tagline at the time through my understanding of what I was learning about Lutheran theology. God’s Work. Our Hands.Let it ring throughout the land.The work is God’s, that much is trueBut the work gets done by me… Continue reading
When we tell stories, using the mundane stuff of our daily lives, like the seeds of faith being planted through singing songs in the car or being impacted by the love of God in Jesus through creation, the kingdom of God comes in us. When we recognize that God makes God’s… Continue reading
There are all sorts of questions Jesus doesn’t answer through his explanation of this parable. But one conclusion he does seem to want his audience to draw is that it is not the servants’ job to pull up the weeds. That will happen at some point. But it’s the servants’ job to nurture… Continue reading
But the challenging reality of being death and resurrection people is that even as we anticipate resurrection, we face death. Lent 5A. John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11 Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name of the one who calls us forth and gives us life. Amen. Here we… Continue reading