Ruth Everhart

Author, Pastor, Speaker

“We Love the Work” Gordon Lightfoot on Creativity

What if it works this way: We write the lyrics of our life when we?re young and spend our days and years living into them. I attended a Gordon Lightfoot concert last night at Wolf Trap, as part of his Fifty Years on the Carefree Highway Tour. It's easy to see that even after 50 years, Gordon is … [Read more...] about “We Love the Work” Gordon Lightfoot on Creativity

“My Inheritance” a poem about mothers & daughters

My Inheritance I was bequeathed a satin dress, An inheritance passed from my mother And from hers before, another Lifetime has worn it, the treasured Hand-sewn seams have measured The woman inside. The first time I tried The fit I was nine (the old tight-packed box, the wrapping, the fold of … [Read more...] about “My Inheritance” a poem about mothers & daughters

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?

Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer, a book review

I just finished reading Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I found it quite captivating, as the narrative moves back and forth between two interesting true stories: the early history of the Mormon church, and a recent double murder committed by two brothers who thought they were fulfilling … [Read more...] about Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer, a book review

Downshifting: Quitting My Job to Write a Book

Last Sunday I announced to my congregation that I would be leaving my position at the church this June. The reason for my leaving is that I want to spend all of my time and energy finishing some writing projects and finding a home for them, either through traditional publishing, or perhaps through … [Read more...] about Downshifting: Quitting My Job to Write a Book

From the Sideline of a Community of Faith

Yesterday I sat on the sidelines of a particular community of faith. My husband and I attended a Shape Note Sing, which we do twice a year or so. (In that way I'm comparable to a Christmas/Easter Christian.) Shape Note singing (also called Sacred Harp singing) is unaccompanied, four-part singing, … [Read more...] about From the Sideline of a Community of Faith

12 Things I Enjoy About Sacred Harp Singing

The wooden room resounded with sound as a half-hundred people stomped their feet and industriously pumped their arms to accompany their singing. We sang from "The Sacred Harp," a hymnal first published in 1844, with lyrics pining for the Promised Land and glory beyond. Back then, church singing … [Read more...] about 12 Things I Enjoy About Sacred Harp Singing