Author Archives: Madras UMC

Beloved: This week is our Celebration Sunday. We will have a chance to turn in our thoughtful responses to the question: how am I called to support the mission and ministry of God in this place? I chose this year’s theme by wondering what gospel values might help me, and all of us, look prayerfullyContinue reading “November 9, 2018, Weekly Note From the Preacher Woman”

In the space of a week, I have lost three men who I have considered mentors in my life. Two of them were Catholic priests with whom I studied Centering Prayer in Snowmass, Colorado: Father Joseph Boyle and Father Thomas Keating. The third, Eugene Peterson, was a retired Presbyterian pastor, whom I met only once.Continue reading “November 2, 2018, Note From the Preacher Woman”

Beloved: If I had a “word of the week,” today’s word would be HOPE. When I read the news, it feels as if the entire planet has been infected by a “lethal absence of hope.” Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries,uses this phrase to describe why young people end up in gangs. But, lately,Continue reading “October 26, 2018, Note From the Preacher Woman”

Beloved: Our office manager, Chris Jones, has been on vacation this week, visiting his family in Ohio. We tried to prepare carefully for his absence, but it didn’t take long this week to realize that there were some questions I should have thought to ask before he left. I tried not to bug him aboutContinue reading “October 12, 2018, Weekly Note From the Preacher Woman”

Beloved: (First, a warning. I am going to say some pretty frank things in this note. So, if you are not ready for the conversation, come back next week.) I took a couple of Sabbath days earlier in the week. It was wonderful to rest mind and body and walk in the woods painted inContinue reading “September 28, 2018, Weekly Note From the Preacher Woman”

There are some fun advantages to doing unexpected things. The odd surprise gift. An unexpected card written by a friend. An unexpected thank you from someone we barely know. Flowers that show up for no particular occasion. A random act of kindness performed by a stranger. I love giving moments to others like this. AndContinue reading “September 14, 2018, Weekly Note From the Preacher Woman”

I’ve been reflecting on the nature of family this week in preparation for preaching a short series on the book of Ruth. I took a quick look at Merriam-Webster, and noticed something interesting. The first definition of family does not even mention biological relationship; rather, it is called “a basic social unit consisting of parentsContinue reading “August 2018 Note From the Preacher Woman”