Holy Week 2021

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (New International Version) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time…

Presence in Difficult Conversation

Co-creating the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible requires deep presence. How can we hold space for—BE PRESENT in—the difficult conversations that gather seemingly dualistic opinions to illuminate common ground? This humorous, challenging, July of 2017, TED talk, “How our friendship survives our opposing politics,” highlights beautiful examples of how we—relationships intact—might: move…

Perspective

Peruse news headlines—local, national, international. What do you sense? Division? Exclusion? Inclusion? Violence? Interconnection? Peace? Local? Global? Our hope and prayer; sacred texts Bible, Torah, Quran; liturgical seasons, solstice and equinox rhythms; … continually invite us to metanoia, meaning “a change of heart.” Take heart! Transformation is as close to us as the tip of…

Being Vocal Versus Being Neutral

There is battle raging within me. The two sides in this war are the importance of speaking up about issues that matter versus loving a friend unconditionally, being vocal versus being neutral, taking a stand versus holding a hand. I strongly believe that, as Desmond Tutu famously said, “If you are neutral in situations of…

I Believe in Peace & Love

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a small collection of art supply holders (think pencil bags of our childhood) that have been gifted to me over the years. They remind me of important things…

Yesterday I Cried

Yesterday, as I watched the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as the 46th president of the United States, I cried ugly tears. I wiped every bit of makeup off my face as I cried tears of fear, tears of relief, tears of joy. I listened as Biden declared that “we must end this uncivil…

Thoughts on Inauguration Day

I love Prairiewoods’ mission to be “a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationships with the Source of all being, Earth, self and others with an increasing awareness of the story of the Universe.” The story of the Universe. From our website: As theologian Elizabeth…

Blessing in a Time of Violence

This—as much as any other period in recent history—feels like a time of violence, a time of open hostility and conflict. The world seems dichotomous, as though half of our family and friends are in a completely different world than where we find ourselves. Because of that division, I’m called to the words of Jan…

A Kelson of the Creation is Love

“Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.” —Plato   “To all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity!” —Pope Francis   When…