Theology and resistance to climate change

Theology and resistance to climate change

by LeeAnn Pomrenke Much of the “Creation care” teaching I have experienced (or led) up until this point has focused on loving the Earth and all that is in it because God made it. Creation is a gift, and we are to be stewards of it. That is most certainly true. While that angle does […]

Motherhood as vocation

Motherhood as vocation

(Trigger warning: Infertility) by Brenda Blackhawk Lent is often equated with time for reflection on vocation, and March is also Women’s History Month. This year, my spouse and I are determined to get answers about our infertility. Lately, this has been lying heavy on my heart and mind, so I’ve been writing about my journey […]

Faith reflections: The labor of love

Faith reflections: The labor of love

by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all […]

Fear in the Bible

Fear in the Bible

by Emily Carson Fear is a very common theme in the Bible. In the Word of God, we are presented with all kinds of folks: the brilliant, the clueless, the average and everybody in between. There are people who live in constant fear without a chance of overcoming it. There are people who persevere despite […]

Faith Reflections:  Faith and fashion

Faith Reflections: Faith and fashion

by Kristen Glass Perez A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, […]

Making space for God

Making space for God

by Jenna Pulkowski “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and […]

What we learn about rejection from Jesus

What we learn about rejection from Jesus

by Susan Schneider I was nine years old the day my parents left me at church. They hadn’t meant to do so. They thought I’d ridden home after worship with our next-door neighbors. By the time they realized I had not and drove back to get me, I had spent almost an hour being alternately […]

Faith reflections: Women at the well

Faith reflections: Women at the well

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller The Woman at the Well in the Gospel according to John has always been my go-to biblical character. For her courage. Her boldness. Her quick wit. Her gospel proclamation. And for her way of getting to know Jesus. I feel a connection to her. I sense we’re kindred spirits. Barely two months after […]

What the Bible says about body image

What the Bible says about body image

by Jenna Pulkowski I have long struggled with my relationship with my body. It’s a relationship that on the best days is positive, on most days is apathetic and on the worst days is downright hateful. Scripture has a lot to say about bodies. From Genesis to Revelation, law and Gospel, prophets to Jesus, the […]

Faith Reflection: Mother figures

Faith Reflection: Mother figures

by Elyssa Salinas Six years ago, I wrote about mother figures. I was thinking about the women who had been mother figures in my life, but I had not yet felt my own womb expand. Now I am a mother of two. The c-section scars still feel new to my body as my children learn […]