SERMON: Welcome, Beloved.
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Yesterday, I had the privilege of guest preaching at Meetinghouse Church, Edina, MN.
The theme was around their core value of “Welcome, Beloved.”
The sermon starts at the 20:00 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/live/gVLMKBySRt8?si=tNXoFiLko4tyvwBW
May 4, … Continue reading
Fearless: A eulogy in tribute to Ruth L. Nelson
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On November 13, 2024, at Fourth Church in Chicago, I had the honor and privilege of eulogizing my longtime friend Ruth. For inspiration, I used the scripture: 1 John 4: 16 – 19
So we have known and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God … Continue reading
SERMON: A Call to Radical Welcome
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Yesterday, I had the privilege of guest preaching at Meetinghouse Church, MN.
It was a risky, but timely message about welcoming the stranger (Matthew 25).
You can listen … Continue reading
SERMON: Our Daily Bread
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Last Sunday, May 12, I had the privilege of doing pulpit supply preaching at Meetinghouse Church in Edina, MN. They are in a sermon series about The Lord's Prayer, and this week I concentrated on the phrase "give us this day our daily bread."
You can listen to the full service (the music was … Continue reading
LITURGY: a Statement of Faith for Anti-Racism Work
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I have been working with my denomination’s anti-racism task force, and have thought that creating a Brief Statement of Faith would be helpful and defining.
Here is what I have come up with:
A Brief Statement of Faith For Anti-Racist Work
We believe in the inherent dignity … Continue reading
BLOG: Love Never Ends, A Tribute
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This weekend I did the funeral for a man named Mark who had been murdered by a family member. As you can imagine, it was not the typical eulogy. Still, I managed to tell a resurrection story. Here is what I said:
I am going to start today by telling you all the things that I am NOT going to … Continue reading
SERMON: The Conflicts Among Us
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November 5, 2023 I had the privilege of preaching the word for Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, MN.
The scripture was 1 King 18: 20-39 about Elijah on Mt. Carmel. The sermon portion starts at 27:20.
You can watch it … Continue reading
BLOG: Don’t eat hot takis behind a dumpster.
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For me, one of the most fun -- and most challenging -- parts of parenting is the ongoing conversation that happens around teaching my son about sex. Yes, I said fun first. I love having these conversations with him, knowing that all the little conversations feed into a greater development of his … Continue reading
SERMON: Serve One Another
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I had the privilege of preaching at Colonial Church (soon to be Meetinghouse Church) on Sunday February 20, 2022. This is their Alternative Worship service, with modern music. It was a special day for a number of reasons. I hope you enjoy both the different style of service, and the … Continue reading
BLOG: A Midrash on Creation
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The following is a midrash on the Genesis 1 Creation story, with the understanding that these verses are clear examples of merisms in the Hebrew language.
God... as they hovered over the watery chaos... commands silence from the deep.
And on the first day, God called into being … Continue reading
BLOG: Legacy of an Ally
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There is a family tale that they tell about my great grandfather, the Bishop Samuel Henry Gapp. He was a minister and a missionary in the Moravian Church, and did lots of church planting in the Caribbean. The story goes that he was much loved there, and the locals would always say about him, … Continue reading
Binge Watch My Theology
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I am trying something new here, since we are all trapped inside and probably watching more Netflix than we should be. It's Saturday night, so pop some popcorn and don't feel guilty! Because I have made a theology focused discussion guide for the #1 show on Netflix right now....
Season 1, … Continue reading
poem: ASHES
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my boots are covered
in the ashes of bridges burned
and the dust of roads less traveled.
wisdom calls to me
from sacred pages
with the reminder to
dust off worn out thoughts
and tired feet that have traveled
too far on scorched earth.
and having shaken the ashes … Continue reading
SERMON: Be a Doer
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Audio of sermon preached for St. John's UCC, Bongards, MN.
October 27, 2019.
Listen here: Be A Doer
In this week's sermon, I discuss the idea that if you are going to help someone, first you have to walk in their … Continue reading
poem: CHAPLAINCY
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Soul seeing
hidden trauma in people
with the forces of kindness,
poetry, and the pure spirit of dance
the real power of a good yarn,
and of course,
the power of women.
the streets and the moment
will be our teachers.
we cannot know what will arise.
not knowing will be our guide
to … Continue reading
SERMON: An Epic Battle
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Audio of sermon preached at North Presbyterian Church, North St. Paul, MN.
June 16, 2013
Listen to it here: AN EPIC … Continue reading
My Plan?
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What is My Plan?
At the turn of the millennium, January 2000, a friend posted this question to the online community: citing that W.E.B. Dubois identified race as the defining problem of the twentieth century, my friend asked “What is your plan to counter this problem for the next … Continue reading
SERMON: Feeling Unworthy
I’m just going to say, this is one of the best services I’ve curated, and one of the best sermons I’ve given in awhile. It is amazing what happens when you get out of the way, and let God … Continue reading
SERMON: The Greatest Meal You’ve Ever Had.
This week, I got to preach a word for our Community Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. It was a reflection on sharing our stories, making room at the table, and not worrying about what the future holds.
You can listen … Continue reading
BLOG: Where are the Good Samaritans Now?
When we talk about the good Samaritans in today’s world, it is a cliche about a helpful and charitable person. Who are the Good Samaritans? They are the ones who make an effort — sometimes going out of their way — to help others, especially the down trodden or less fortunate. We want to be … Continue reading
BLOG: You won’t find me at the Foot of the Cross.
Yesterday as I was driving in my car, a new song came on the radio that I had never heard before. And as I listened to the chorus if it, my stomach tightened into a knot. The words repeated over and over ...'there is room for more at the foot of the cross... there's room for you at the foot of … Continue reading
SERMON: Who will You Invite to Dinner?
This past Sunday we continued through the gospel of Luke in pursuit of God’s justice, looking at Luke 17: 5-10, and asking who will we invite to dinner? You can watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/iRMrbPSyokE?feature=shared
October 5, … Continue reading
Cathy Mia Kolwey 