Last week was New York’s fashion week, which always brings me joy, but is particularly elating since this means the COVID hiatus is over. Looking at the photos from the streets made my heart sing. And Fashion Week reminded me of that time in CPE (for you non-ministry types: that is Clinical Pastoral Education –… Read More
BLOG: A Midrash on Creation
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 lightness to darkness, creating everything from Lightening… Read More
BLOG: Galatians vs. the CRT
We still live in a broken world; and we must continue to work for the vision of the reign of God. Read More
BLOG: An Argumentative Thesis
It was not a hard assignment. Eight to ten sentences of the seventh grade version of an argumentative thesis. Decide whether the statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond should stay or should go. An article to read and a video to watch. Both sides clearly presented. I listen to my son and his friends… Read More
BLOG: Everywhere and nowhere all the time.
Yesterday, these words came to me through email. They came from my former seminary professor and the Artistic Director of the Penumbra Theatre, Sarah Bellamy. I was so struck by these words, I sat with them all day long. I ponder those of us who get to use our vulnerability as a shield, and those… Read More
BLOG: A Midrash on Babel.
(This is a retelling of the story of the Tower of Babel, which is found in the Bible in Genesis 11:1-9) Long ago, when the human race was young And all the people spoke the same language, The humans decided to build a city between two rivers where they could all live together, With a… Read More
BLOG: Thoughts on Inauguration Day.
I have said many, many times before: one of the most important things I learned in seminary was that during Ancient Biblical times, people did not have an understanding of emotions. And that means that when the Bible says “love” it is not talking about an emotional response. (Thank you, again, Professor Brink.) So when… Read More
BLOG: Victim Status
Whenever a life is lost, there is a victim. Victim status is not debatable. Read More
BLOG: Santa is a Sacrament.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…” Read More
BLOG: Illuminating a Word, Made Flesh.
… what has come into being was life, and the life was the true enlightenment of all people… Read More
BLOG: Take One for the Team
This is the moment we have to rise up and teach our kids the greatest lesson team sports has for us… Read More
BLOG: America, It’s Time to Lock the Doors.
When I was in college, I was the president of my sorority. (No one is surprised by this.) So much of what I learned of servant leadership — lessons that carried me well in my professional career — came from being the president of my sorority. Of all the lessons I can recount, this one… Read More
BLOG: Breath is Life.
(POST 1 of “Pleas from a Birth Center Chaplain”) Before we get into a heated debate about abortion or women’s rights, let me first pose a question: Have you considered when life begins? (You would be surprised at how many people try to argue with me and have never considered this question. Put on the… Read More
An Open Letter to Amy Coney Barrett
To the Honorable Judge Barrett: I have watched closely your confirmation hearings. Since we share many similarities — close in age, both living the in Midwest, both educated women with advanced degrees, both white mothers in multiracial families — I began my viewing hopeful. I lost that hope quickly, when I heard you introduce yourself… Read More
BLOG: A good Coon hunt.
When I was a child, my parents were vigilant about teaching me good language, and as a result were adamant about the words I should never, ever use. Of course, there was the N-word. Just as important, the S-word and the W-word… and the R-word too. But there was also another word that was banished… Read More
BLOG: Legacy of an Ally
” he may be a white man, but he sure does have a black heart” Read More
BLOG: The Zumba Effect
When I was training to become a Zumba teacher (yes, I was once an aerobics instructor, don’t laugh) the trainer gave the class advice that has translated into many parts of my life. She said this: “Know, ,that you will need to teach a new routine for 8-10 weeks. That people are not quick learner,… Read More
Reflecting on why “I Can’t Breathe”
Watching the news of the murder video that shows the Minneapolis police’s killing of George Floyd, I am heartbroken once again, and somehow not surprised. As I have spent another day grieving the death of another unarmed black man, I was reminded of a story from my own life, one that I feel moved to… Read More
Cathy Mia Kolwey 