Forwarding Address

I’m feeling a little out of breath. I’m new to Patheos this week, which means I’m moving from my old blog spot. And while other people have done all the heavy lifting for this move (thanks, Deborah and Hillary!) I still feel like I’m in the middle of a literal re-location. I’m trying to bring with me not just my archives, but also followers, subscribers, and people who ‘like’ me on Facebook… In other words, it feels like i’m coming in with boxes of important stuff that needs to be organized. And if you keep reading my stuff, you will find that I am many things, but organized=not one of them. Let’s just say that my Pinterest board is full of food, dream vacations and urban cowgirl fashion, but nothing resembling an orderly craft room…

In addition to a handful of followers (mostly faithful friends and church folks) I’m bringing some other stuff to this new site, as well. I’m a pastor, a wife, and a mother, all roles that shape my faith and my writing voice. I’m bringing my sense of humor and a healthy bit of ‘irreverence’ for a calling that, deep down, i take very seriously. I’m bringing my Kentucky accent (which you can’t hear, but it’s there) as well as my Arizona desert spirituality. I’m bringing my love for music, literature, the outdoors, and yoga, not to mention good food and wine and coffee. And I’m bringing with me a deep and embodied sense of hope that, in spite of the cultural mass exodus from organized religion, people still truly seek the sacred in their daily lives, and want a deeper sense of connection with God and others. I’m grateful to be a part of that conversation.

For far too long, Christianity has been tied to its buildings and the baggage of its collective past; a destination club that, far too often, overlooks the joyful, sacred journey of every day living. I’m glad that more and more of us are finding ways to say, “enough! There are better ways…” I look forward to finding some of those ways together. Many have left the faith out of hurt, anger, and sheer boredom. Others never had it, never missed it, and never knew they had an invitation. Still others of us have grown up happily ensconced in Church world, but seek a fuller, deeper, more joyful language of faith, that includes far more peopleat the table. I place myself in the latter category, and that’s why I started writing to begin with.

For all who seek a safe place, a sacred space, and a broader view of the Holy Spirit moving through the world–welcome to the new home base! I’ll have the utilities turned on just any minute now, and pay no attention to those unopened boxes in the corner. I’ve unearthed the coffee maker and the corkscrew. The rest is just details…

Here’s to forwarding the good stuff. Read on.