Now that we have the busyness of the holiday season behind us but still plenty of Winter ahead of us, perhaps it is finally a good time to lean into the gift that these months can offer us: chances to slow down, to get cozy, and to reflect on where…

Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, is silenced in the opening scene of Luke chapter 1.  In the final scene, he speaks.  Luke calls it a prophecy.  It includes these words: “…that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness…”…

Last night was cold.  It will be cold again tonight.  Our church basement is warm.   Last night about 20 unhoused folks gathered in our church basement.  They ate donated Donatos pizza before spreading out bedrolls on the floors of Rooms 1 and 2.  Several others parked their cars in our…

On Sunday I made an off-the-cuff joke about how I was sorry I had written my sermon before seeing the new Wicked movie because it meant I didn’t have time to make the movie the entire focus of the sermon as I leaned into my latest obsession. But I suppose…

The first chapter of Luke’s gospel is full of visitations.  There’s the angel Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah in the temple, promising a birth to him and Elizabeth in their old age.  Gabriel visits Mary with words almost too terrifying and wonderful to bear, but bear them she does.  Mary visits…