Welcome to The Porch: a gathering place

Hi there friends! Welcome to The Porch, a gathering place for thoughts and conversations about the intersection of faith and everyday life.

My name is Jerusalem Jackson Greer. That is really my name, but I cannot take any credit for it.

My first name comes from my mother, Tanya Beverly Jackson, her whimsical, 1974 Jesus-hippie ways, and the line of oddly name women we descend from.

My maiden name is from my father, Johnny Joe Jackson Jr, and together we come from a family full of preachers, of which we are two.

The final bit comes from my husband Nathaniel Wayne Greer, whom I choose, and whose name I choose to throw in with all the rest for good measure.

Like my name, I am made up of many different parts- some by birth, some by choice, none of which happened in a vacuum,- all part of my story.

Currently I am (in no particular order) a wife, a momma, a yoga fan, book addict, author, Episcopal (lay) Minister,  nest-fluffer, domestic-monastic, speaker, semi-retired crafter, World Class Pinterest Pinner (ok, I made that title up) and farm-gal newbee.

I like to throw beautimess gatherings, be in charge of things, sleep under heavy blankets, talk to chickens,  rescue old furniture off the side of the road, write devotionals, hide from the world on my grandmother’s screened porch, go camping with my boys, read Anne Lamott, Phyllis Tickle, Kathleen Norris and crime novels. I am addicted to  British Television, prefer singing with a twang at the top of my lungs, and have a strong affection for coffee and Cosmos (not together however.)

I adore living in the South.

I am a liturgical convert.

I love Jesus.

I trust the Holy Spirit.

I love theology and shiplap, the sacraments and Martha Stewart.

My vocation lies solidly at the intersection where gathering, organizing, celebrating, storytelling, and translation converge.  If you look at where my great joy meets the worlds deep need, I think it is in my ability to help people see, identify, understand, and celebrate the outward visible signs of inward spiritual graces right where they are -at home, in church, in their neighborhoods, in the world –  in order that they may experience the deep joy of knowing and being known and loved by God and each other.

I believe that Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love does not dishonor others. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.I believe that anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is selling something.

Here on The Porch I will be hosting stories, reflections, and the occasional recipe. Sometimes these will be my stories and reflections, but more often they will be the stories and reflections from those I have invited to join me on the porch and sit a spell. Why? Because I believe we are better together, – because when two or three gather together in the name of Christ, God is there in the midst.

Welcome.