Archive for January 2013

Suburban People Need Jesus, Too

A not-really-so-long time ago, I was trying to figure out what my next ministry step would be. I had spent two years teaching religion at a school in one of Chicago’s not so affluent neighborhoods, and I was finishing up a year working at a big (affluent) urban church. I was considering taking a position [...]

More Stay At Home Reverend Liturgy

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen St. Augustine, 4th [...]

Membership or Mishpaha

A few years ago, I invited Bob and Laura Keeley to my church to speak to parents about their book, Helping Our Children Grow in Faith. (What? You’ve not read this book? Get a copy and read it!) That night, they mentioned the word “mishpaha.” It’s Hebrew for “family.” Kind of. Because it doesn’t mean the [...]

The Stay at Home Reverend

No, really, my Master of Divinity degree is still quite useful at those times when I’m fully a stay at home parent. For instance, I can use my knowledge of liturgy to write collects appropriate to various occasions. Like this one: Creator God, who tamed the chaos of water, and brought about all that is; [...]