Lingering Leaves 1.17.14

Here are a few notable posts from several sources as we finish up another week of this new year. Thoughts about topics ranging from social principles in the UMC, unsafe labor conditions in Bangladesh, Ron Burgundy…and some thoughts to take us to Epiphany and beyond! Take a look. Tell us what you think. The Church Elizabeth Wellington reports on…

Imagining Christ’s Baptism

Many of our congregations marked the Baptism of Christ this Sunday. Whether your congregation engaged this event or not, you might like to do so now through a practice called Visio Divina. “While Lectio Divina is a method of praying with scripture, Visio Divina (Latin for “divine seeing”) is a method for praying with images…

Waiting with Mary & A Sock Monkey

A Meditation for the Fourth Week of Advent I was reading an Advent devotion this morning which sought to capture Mary’s emotions. Joseph was preparing to divorce her quietly because of her pregnancy. She felt alone, bearing a mysterious child in her womb, with only God’s promise to cling to. The final words of the reading encouraged…

Lingering Leaves 12.20.13

Here are a few notable ponderances from the internet world this third week of Advent. Thoughts about topics including women in ministry, personhood, the Pope, contemporary art, and Advent blessing. May they enhance your waiting, resting, rejoicing, praying. The Church Jeremiah Gibbs shares 4 reasons why ordaining women is no longer an optional concept for the church,…

Depression & Advent

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 I’m a big fan of seasons, and I’m wholeheartedly supportive of marking them in ways that bring remembrance, depth, and…

Lingering Leaves 12.13.13

Lingering Leaves are our top picks from the blog and news sources we follow. Here are a few notable ponderances from this second week of Advent. May they enhance your waiting, resting, rejoicing, praying. The Church Pastor Kyle Childress compares Advent to his grandfather’s old pickup truck, with all the endurance needed to get where…

Lingering Leaves 12.6.13

Lingering Leaves are our top picks from the blog and news sources we follow. Here are some fresh-picked posts from this week – they stuck with us, so we’re passing them on to you for your inspiration, consideration, or just for fun! The Church W. David O. Taylor shares why artists belong in the church nursery, on…