I experienced two Ash Wednesday services today, one at the cathedral downtown (I was there for a silent retreat) and one I helped lead at our church.
The imposition of ashes is a very moving thing. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This is a fancy way of saying, “You’re going […]

Something from the pastoring side… although this applies to many jobs I think:
I want to say up front that I know there are parts of any job that one doesn’t care for, or that seem trivial but nonetheless need to be done, and that’s just the way it goes. Ministry is no exception. But lately […]

C had her 12-month pediatric appointment today. Consequently I have gotten very little done today. This is one of those days where the parenting overshadows the pastoring. Oh well. Other days it’s the other way around.
It was a little traumatic for her. Now that she is a year we are in the age of urine […]

I get the bad parent of the week award. It’s a familiar story for parents… last night C started fussing about 4 a.m., but I could tell she wasn’t awake. So I waited to see if she would stop on her own. She didn’t stop, but it didn’t escalate either. Anyway, I finally went in, […]

It was an emotionally heavy week, made more difficult by a busy schedule. Grieving on the run is a challenge. Dad’s death anniversary took place while I was en route to a conference. A friend told me that in Jewish tradition, a death anniversary is commemorated with a candle that burns all day. I had […]