Loving and Leaving a Church, by Barbara Melosh, a book review
Barbara Melosh and I met at a week-long writing workshop hosted by Collegeville Institute (MN) in 2012. After that, she joined my writing group, making the commitment to drive all the way from Wilmington, DE to northern VA twice a month. I mention that because so many people think it's possible to … [Read more...] about Loving and Leaving a Church, by Barbara Melosh, a book review
Influence: Do you have it? Do you want it?
Perhaps you've run across this unlikely noun: Influencer. I heard it often during my last book launch. My publisher asked me to create a list of people who were in a position to influence others to read my book -- writers, bloggers, pastors, and Good-readers. At first it was excruciating. I hated … [Read more...] about Influence: Do you have it? Do you want it?
Feeding the Writer Within
Certain loves are more difficult to keep alive than others. These are the loves that no one assumes you harbor. Some loves are normative. I can tell you that I love my husband and daughters and you will understand me. I could say I love Jesus, and most of you will understand what I mean to say, … [Read more...] about Feeding the Writer Within
Healing Spiritual Wounds, an interview with Carol Howard Merritt
Have you ever been wounded by a church, or do you know someone who has been? Have you ever wished you had the right book on your shelf, something solid and helpful you could read and pass along? That book is finally here! It is destined to become a classic. I am privileged to call Carol Howard … [Read more...] about Healing Spiritual Wounds, an interview with Carol Howard Merritt
BIRTHED: Finding Grace through Infertility, a book review
Do you know someone who is struggling with infertility? Perhaps this is the story you live, but hide from others. Or perhaps you have a different but similar sort of heartache. Do you know the feelings of repeated loss and grief, which bring a sense of hopelessness? My friend Elizabeth Hagan has … [Read more...] about BIRTHED: Finding Grace through Infertility, a book review
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
Acronyms Run Amuck: One Thing I Love About Language
In a casual conversation I said that someone went to the UCC, meaning, of course, the United Church of Christ. My sister-in-law, who is a nurse, said, "I must have missed something. Why did they go to the Urgent Care Center?" My brother-in-law, who's an attorney, said, "And what does that have … [Read more...] about Acronyms Run Amuck: One Thing I Love About Language
The National: Rocking Out at Calvin
Last night, the ending of the Festival of Faith & Writing coincided with a concert by The National at the Van Noord Arena. I was surprised. When I attended Calvin there was no dancing allowed on campus. During the late 1970s students gathered in darkened dorm basements at covert "parties with … [Read more...] about The National: Rocking Out at Calvin
Writers on Writing: 4 Images of God, Katherine Paterson
Katherine Paterson has been a frequent speaker at Festival of Faith & Writing. I have a special fondness for her because she's a sister Presbyterian, the daughter of missionaries. Which is your favorite of her young adult novels? The most famous are perhaps "Bridge to Terabithia" and "The Great … [Read more...] about Writers on Writing: 4 Images of God, Katherine Paterson
Writers on Writing: David Duncan, James McBride, Anne Lamott, Chaim Potok
Every writer loves tidbits about writing, so here are quotes from my notes from writers I heard at Festival of Faith and Writing 2000. DAVID JAMES DUNCAN "The collision of faith & writing is a job description." ?Loving God?s world is like loving peanut M&M?s. Loving God is like loving the … [Read more...] about Writers on Writing: David Duncan, James McBride, Anne Lamott, Chaim Potok
Writers on Writing: Anne Lamott, Maya Angelou, Walter Wangerin
Next month I'll be attending the Festival of Faith & Writing at my alma mater in Grand Rapids, MI. I love this every-other-year feast. In preparation I'm?revisiting my notes from past FFWs, and thought I'd share. These are from FFW 2000. . . .? ANNE LAMOTT: "Writing is almost never … [Read more...] about Writers on Writing: Anne Lamott, Maya Angelou, Walter Wangerin