This sermon was given as a part of a summer sermon series on “Lamenting the Losses” This sermon talks about grief. Thoughts of the People: An excerpt from Susan Beaumont’s book, “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You Are Going: Leading in a Liminal Season” Sacred Text: Deuteronomy 1:24-33 Leading Quote: “Humans have… Continue reading Lamenting the Losses (Deuteronomy 1:24-33)
I wrote this for a church newsletter and it turned out a little longer than I thought! I’ve been following a 40 year old gay man from the South on TikTok who went viral for his video post asking for fishing buddies to go fishing. He said he loves to fish but it’s hard to… Continue reading Ordinary Angels
I gave this eulogy at the celebration of life service for my godmother Donna. She was one of the best. On behalf of our family, thank you for being here today to honor the life of Donna. To my godfather and uncle Butch, to Donna and Butch’s children and grandchildren, my cousins and family: thank… Continue reading In Memory of my Godmother, Donna Mae (Gatzke) Wick
I had orange short hair at that point in my life. I tried to be blonde but my brassy brown colored hair had made me orange. A light orange. I think I was 16. Old enough to feel like an adult, impulsive enough to still be a teen. We were camping, I remember because there… Continue reading To The People Who Let Me In… (thank you)
The Word: Secular Reading: One Art, by Elizabeth Bishop The art of losing isn’t hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster. Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn’t hard… Continue reading The Art of Losing (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
I’ve been reminding people I care about that it’s almost been a full year of COVID-19. “I’ve been so unmotivated lately. I am sleeping a lot, I am cranky, and I just don’t know why,” They say. It’s always different word descriptors but it’s the same expression: “something is off and I don’t know why.”… Continue reading Marking Time in Pandemic
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This year has flown by. I wrapped up my call as associate pastor at Living Table UCC last Sunday and this photo is from our Christmas Eve service. Zoom church has been awesome with this congregation and many things have made it a success. I am so grateful for… Continue reading To everything there is a season…
This was my final sermon as associate pastor at Living Table! Sacred reading: “Manna,” by Micah Bournes Scripture: Matthew 25:31-45 The Message: The first thing that will always be burned in my mind is a pair of bare feet of a four year old in the middle of winter. It’s been over 10 years but I can so… Continue reading Where Gratitude and Justice Meet
Scripture Reading: “One Body, Many Parts” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Secular Reading: “Disabled people know what it means to be vulnerable and interdependent. We are modern-day oracles. It’s time people listened to us… So many people see me and presume that I have a poor quality of life because I have a tube attached to my… Continue reading One Body, Many Ways: Alice Wong and how leadership from the disability community can save our world.
After years of self reflection in the world of academia that earned me two master’s degrees and sitting in countless chairs at multiple therapists office, I understand why I feel comfortable in crisis. My experiences of trauma have made me stronger in certain areas of my life, weaker in others– but one big take away… Continue reading There is no going back (a reflection)
