The spiritual life of gardening

The spiritual life of gardening

by the Rev. Celeste Kennel-Shank Gardening as a spiritual practice, caring for particular pieces of earth and all that grows on them, connects me with creation. It opens up the agricultural world of scripture to me in a way that would otherwise be impossible for a lifelong city dweller. Though my gardens are at the […]

She dresses us for the journey

She dresses us for the journey

by: Rev. Dr. Ralen M. Robinson She rises not because the world made it easy but because her spirit was fed and nurtured by women who guided and equipped her for life’s trials and tribulations. She speaks because generations of women urged her not to stay quiet. Grandmothers prayed over her, so she had the […]

Women of sacred presence: Stories of faith and strength

Women of sacred presence: Stories of faith and strength

by Rev. Dr. Ralen M. Robinson “Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) My heels echo off the floor, creating a click-clack orchestra, paving the way to the pulpit. I step onto the staircase leading up to […]

Retreat where you are

Retreat where you are

by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Are you looking to carve out some time for yourself? Are you looking to connect with your faith? Are you looking to deepen your sense of the sacred in our midst? Come and retreat. This one-day retreat is designed for you. And the gift of this retreat is that you can take […]

Blessed to be an ally

Blessed to be an ally

by Amanda Llewellyn A young woman, probably in her early 20s, looked deep into my eyes. “I can have communion? I wasn’t confirmed . . . my pastor wouldn’t confirm me.” “Yes. You can have communion here.” Moments like this make the hard work of serving as an ally incredibly powerful and humbling and so […]

Strength and dignity are her calling

Strength and dignity are her calling

Ina, etsi, shi maa, itangu. These are some of the ways I’ve heard indigenous people say, Mother. These are in the languages of just a few of the Indigenous people of North America, more specifically Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, and Hopi, in that order. As a Lakota woman, I grew up using ina and unci (grandmother), but […]