I’m a Pastor.
I’ve been in ministry for more than three decades, serving churches in upstate New York, rural Illinois, suburban Maryland and Washington, DC. Right now I’m the Transitional Pastor at Leesburg Presbyterian Church in Leesburg, VA.
I’m a Workshop Leader.
I’m passionate about empowering faith communities to respond appropriately to sexual abuse. During the pandemic shutdowns I had the privilege of working with Eileen Campbell-Reed, PhD to create a workshop that equips leaders to do just that. The #MeToo Workshop is now available as four self-paced sessions. The course includes 5 videos, 20 downloadable handouts, including resources for reflection and Bible study, liturgies and prayers, advocacy and action plans. You’ll also receive a signed copy of my latest book, The #MeToo Reckoning (read more about the book below).
I’m a Blogger and Writer.
I’ve blogged at this website since 2007. I’ve also written many articles, some of which have won awards. Highlights include two cover stories for Christian Century and an op-ed for the Washington Post. I recently posted a Sojourners article (about abortion), Skin in the Game, so you can read it without a paywall. Other bylines include Religion News Service, Patheos, and Feasting on the Word.
I’m the Author of 3 Books.
Click on each book cover to find purchasing information at Amazon, Audible, and other retailers.
The #MeToo Reckoning: Facing the Church’s Complicity in Sexual Abuse and Misconduct
This book explores true stories of Protestant churches which failed to respond appropriately to sexual abuse in their midst, and compares them to stories from scripture. The braiding of contemporary stories with ancient scripture is eye-opening, inspiring, and hopeful. I’m proud that Publishers Weekly named it one of the Five Best Religion Books for 2020. It has been translated into Korean. Available in paperback, eBook and Audible.
Ruined
This memoir describes a traumatic sexual assault that occurred decades ago, while I was a college senior. The account goes well beyond the night of the attack — it chronicles my wrestling with faith for many years. Certain questions haunted me. Decades later, I used my lenses as a survivor, pastor, and mother to explore those questions. Why did that assault change my life so completely? How did my faith inform my understanding of that night? What, exactly, was ruined? I’m proud that this memoir was named 2017 Book of the Year by Christianity Today Women. Available in paperback, eBook and Audible.
Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land
This spiritual travel memoir chronicles my transformative two-week pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine. Readers journey alongside me as we experience both the outer terrain of the Holy Land and the interior questions that arise from pursuing the Holy One. It’s a personal book, with many light moments. Readers tell me it helped them prepare for a pilgrimage, debrief their pilgrimage, or was a pleasant substitute for a trip they were unable to take. View the book trailer here (with footage from Israel & Palestine). Available in paperback and eBook.
I’m Available to Speak.
I’ve traveled internationally to urge faith communities to reconsider their response to sexual abuse. I also do workshops online. Feel free to contact me to collaborate on an event.
Check out our “Big Blue Adventures”!
When the pandemic changed our retirement timeline, my husband, Doug, and I bought a used truck camper and an F-250 named Big Blue. We hit the road for five months (Oct 2021 – Feb 2022), traveling from Virginia to California and back. I documented our adventures in words and photos at “Big Blue Adventures”. (Note that the posts are in reverse order.)
We intend to head out again in June 2023. If you subscribe to Big Blue Adventures now, you’ll receive updates from the road. (I only post there when we’re traveling.)