Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s past midnight.  I know.  Here’s my entry for today, uh, yesterday:  I’ve been thinking all day long about “Holy Trouble Makers,” our theme for our next sermon series on the prophetic texts in the lectionary.  Strangely enough, I am not thinking about this because I am so very holy and all I can think about in my free time is the Bible . . . .  No, my mind has been preoccupied with trouble makers primarily... Read more

I am not among those people who really loved high school.  Honestly, I couldn’t wait to get out of high school and on to whatever grand adventures awaited me beyond the oppressive social constructs of adolescence and (mostly) the confines of my parents’ house. So I was very surprised a few years ago when 20 years since high school graduation rolled around and I started getting emails about a reunion.  I couldn’t make it to the reunion, but I thoroughly... Read more

I woke up this morning in a panic, realizing with a sinking feeling that I totally and completely forgot to blog yesterday.  Forgot.  This is probably a side-effect of the last few days of an insanely busy schedule, but I’ll allow that it could be a sign of early dementia.  I also think it could very well be the fact that the weather outside is incredibly hot—roasting—and it’s likely essential portions of my brain have fried. Either way, I am... Read more

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!  It’s a beautiful day here in the nation’s capital, and spirits are high.  Many folks I’ve talked with are headed down to the Mall to watch the fireworks and celebrate with the masses of people who will do the same.  I myself am too old for such revelry (and too lazy to fight the crowds) so my celebration will happen right here on the roof.  Regardless of where you’re celebrating today, I wonder if this... Read more

My activities today included (but were not limited to): taking a long walk to the hardware store and the farmer’s market; arranging several vases of gorgeous flowers I got for really, really cheap at the farmer’s market; priming the bathroom with the help of my cousin Kevin (see yesterday’s post); cooking lunch; trying to get my phone fixed, AGAIN; finishing the sermon; building a shelf; PAINTING the aforementioned bathroom; moving the last boxes out of storage; unpacking all the photo... Read more

Do I look 20 years younger than my cousin Kevin?  The people sitting next to us around the reflecting pool thought so.  Kevin overheard her telling her husband that his (Kevin’s) NIECE was the pastor of the church up the street.  Poor Kevin, who is only 4 years older than I am, could not get over this slight.  It practically ruined his evening.  And what a nice evening it was! . . . .  We meandered down to the sculpture... Read more

So, last night I went out to dinner with three friends.  We went to Tiffin, this totally amazing Indian restaurant in Langley Park where you might die from joy if you eat the bathura.  Seriously. After much discussion we decided we would order three dishes and share them, along with some samosas, some naan, and some bathura (of course).  The waiter came to our table—a very nice young Indian man—and asked to take our order.  Because I am really bossy... Read more

As previously established practically every single time I blog about my job, there are a few things that I did not learn in seminary.  Among the many, one is the skills I need for various alternative ministry situations, including but not limited to the delivery room, for example.  One of those ministry situations which has arisen repeatedly in my work and which has become a lively avocation of mine is the fashion overhaul situation.  I will admit right here and... Read more

I have resorted to wandering the halls of the church begging people for blog entry ideas.  So desperate was I today that I asked a church member who shall not be named for a suggestion and she thoughtfully (and immediately) suggested the topic “cousin couples.”  Don’t worry if you have no idea what a cousin couple is—I didn’t either, though I suspected, as I am sure do you, that it is exactly what it says it is.  And, it is. ... Read more