This Wednesday is my 30th "Ordversary" -- or Anniversary of Ordination. I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on October 14, 1990. It's the kind of date I don't expect anyone else to notice. It's pure happenstance that the date falls during Clergy Appreciation Month! Years ago I … [Read more...] about My 30th Anniversary of Ordination
Memorial Service Liturgy
My father wrote the liturgy for his memorial service many years before his death. Working with it after he died, I felt very close to him. As a pastor, I have planned and conducted many funerals. Years ago Dad told me he wanted to prepare his own memorial service liturgy, and asked me to send him a … [Read more...] about Memorial Service Liturgy
Your Linked In Profile: An Obituary in Progress?
As I updated my Linked In profile today, it felt like I was writing an early draft of my obituary. Perhaps the difference between the two documents lies mainly in timing -- meaning the tense of the verbs. A Linked In profile is in present tense and covers work in progress. An obituary is in past … [Read more...] about Your Linked In Profile: An Obituary in Progress?
There’s a Woman in the Pulpit, a biased book review
I'm a woman who's spent a good portion of my career occupying pulpits. In some circles a preaching woman is seen as a problem. Now comes a book that normalizes my life: "There's a Woman in the Pulpit." What a gift! I've always wanted to feel normal. That's why I was so happy to contribute to this … [Read more...] about There’s a Woman in the Pulpit, a biased book review
In Celebration of Clergywomen
October 14, 2014 is my 24th Anniversary of Ordination to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament. What a privilege to live this life! For the past three years I haven't been serving a church full time, and so I have a bit of distance from my vocation. More than ever, I love rubbing elbows with other … [Read more...] about In Celebration of Clergywomen
The Perfect Preaching Outfit
There are lots of women entering ministry these days, which is a wonderful thing. Every Sunday they have to decide what to wear, so here are some thoughts about that. If you're a clergywoman you might want to check out the spirited discussion over at RevGalBlogPals about preaching outfits. Since … [Read more...] about The Perfect Preaching Outfit
A Kodak Moment
I was ordained to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on October 14, 1990, at Penfield Presbyterian Church. The photo tells you how long ago that event was -- I have only this one image, of poor quality. In 1990, taking a picture involved flashbulbs and film -- not … [Read more...] about A Kodak Moment
Hymns, Heat & Heaven — Can Women Be Ordained?
Step back in time with me, won't you? Imagine a church constructed of logs, filled to the brim with 250 people singing hymns without accompaniment. The majority of those people are Old Order Mennonite, dressed in their Sunday go-to-meeting clothes. Balconies on either side of the meetinghouse burst … [Read more...] about Hymns, Heat & Heaven — Can Women Be Ordained?
Honor: a Memorial Service at Arlington Cemetery
Sometimes I'm amazed and honored at the places ministry takes me. Yesterday I co-officiated at a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery, a service complete with full military honors for a Navy Captain who was the father of one of my parishioners. Arlington Cemetery holds a special place in … [Read more...] about Honor: a Memorial Service at Arlington Cemetery