Rev. Catharine Is Currently
On Medical Leave

Politics, Fear, and Doing Enough

Here are some words that come to mind as we move into this year: May we insist on loving truth, from everyone from our ourselves up through the administration of the United States government. May we, in part through the continued development and use of green energy and building, protect our land, sea, and air […]

We Need Change, not Shame

The following is a collection of thoughts that are in response to an email sent out by Mark Silver, the founder of the Heart of Business, and one of my teachers. The headline was, “The Healthy Role of Shame in Business (and in Life).” If you go to the Heart of Business website, you can […]

Black Lives Matter: Choose Justice

  Lovely words, from Emily Dickinson, words I do not believe right now, today, here, in these United States: “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all –   And sweetest – in the Gale – is […]

Where There’s Despair, Hope

This week in Reflections, I wrote about love. About the difficult demands of u/Universalism. I wrote about how I cannot in good conscience, given my theology, write off everyone who voted for Trump as less than human. I can’t write off any of them as “other.” Not even the  ones who would or do wish […]

Rest for God’s Beloved–That’s You!

“It is in vain that you get up early and go to bed late, eating the bread of anxious toil. For God gives restful sleep to the beloved.” (Psalm 127:2) I used to go on retreat with a congregation of Roman Catholic religious sisters. One retreat in particular stands out in my mind. At the […]

We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest

While it is not my habit to post what some people would call “overtly political” material, tonight is different. Tonight is also different in that I wonder whether I should post at all, or simply refer you to the blogs of people of color who are so thoughtfully writing, speaking, and acting for racial justice. […]

Legacy and Choice: Presence, Attention, Intention

I once heard karma, that is, action, described as “living in the world we have helped to create.” Concepts like that always lead me to thinking about who’s created the world in which I live. Certainly, I’ve participated in the creation of this world, and I am responsible for the meaning in my life. I […]

What Does Courage Look Like Today?

I am frustrated and stressed out by my own internal concerns:  Writing, friendships, family matters. A dear friend is dying of rapidly progressing cancer, and I am in anticipatory mourning. PriceWaterhouseCoopers—of all institutions!—says that we are twenty years away from catastrophic climate and habitat change. Under the eye of eternity, I asked myself this morning, […]

Queen of Sorrows

Today I am sad. Today I am thinking of all the parents of Black children, especially boys. I am thinking of the parents having to explain somehow that this culture makes their beloved children targets. That the world is not safe. That the people who are “supposed” to keep all of us safe are some […]

Not the End-All-Be-All Part One

In July of 2004, I was married in a religious and community ceremony. I and my lovely bride were surrounded by friends and family. in fact, it was friends-who-are-family who made the ceremony happen. Strung the lights. Had the whole house painted. Cooked and served the best wedding food you’ve ever encountered, I mean it. […]