(NOTE: My women’s bible study just finished the book This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley. At the end of the final session, I asked all the participants to reflect on this important book. This prayer is a collection of the thoughts that they had gathered as to their “learning” strung together into one body… Read More
LITURGY: Prayer at Emmaus.
God of the lakeshore — feed us. God of the doubters — reassure us. God of the road home — reveal yourself to us. God of the Spirit unleashed — advocate for us. And God of the empty tomb — remind us that since the beginning you have called the women, the broken, the disenfranchised… Read More
Litany of Blessing for Seminarians and Graduates
Creator God, who commands the watery chaos, hover over the mystery of our unknown tomorrows. Read More
SERMON: What Are You Waiting For?
On Sunday December 26, 2021 I had the privilege of giving the sermon at Colonial Church of Edina (changing its name to Meetinghouse Church in 2022). It was part of a sermon series called “Living into God’s Great Story,” and I reflected on the amazing faith of Simeon and Anna, who serendipitously met the baby… Read More
LITURGY: a Prayer for a Church in Conflict
Our Holy Triune God, At the core of our diversity is unity, and at the core of our discord is covenant. As you exist — three-in-one — and are greater because of your variety of expressions, so too are we made stronger in our infinite variety — of perspectives and opinions, of experiences and expressions.… Read More
LITURGY: Prayers for the Building Return.
At my church, we are celebrating our Fall Kick-Off, which is also a re-opening after COVID, by planning a prayer walk throughout the building. These prayers represent each of the church’s spaces, and the church members will be invited to walk through each room and to pray in each space as a way of rededicating… Read More
LITURGY: Prayer of Reconciliation: July 4th
A PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION for a Nation celebrating Freedom (based on Galatians 5) Forgive us, O God, for how easily we forget that freedom in Christ binds us to love both enemy and neighbor, and calls us to welcome the stranger and alien among us. We too easily fall into the trap of assuming our… Read More
SERMON: Waiting to Exhale
I had the privilege of preaching at Colonial Church in Edina for Pentecost Sunday yesterday May 23, 2021. The full service is here:
A Litany Against Violence
I wrote this responsive litany for our upcoming prayer vigil marking the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and praying for a world where violence can end. Feel free to use it with acknowledgements in any worship service where is might seem relevant. MOVE US TOWARD BLESSEDNESS (A Responsive Litany based on The Beatitudes… Read More
A Good Friday Prayer for 2021.
No angry mobs now, Holy God, Screaming “crucify!” It is not anger, but distress, we see in your faces, the faces that we watch over and over and over again. Distress because you stand and bear witness to the suffering that makes us turn away. We turn the channel, put off the screen, say we… Read More
poem: A Benediction for Jelani
A light that bright radiates the Holy. Not meant for earthly realms A light that bright Shines beyond eternity. And now returning to the stellate sun We remain basking in luminous presence Forever changed By a light that bright. And having glimpsed such A brilliant fire Let us turn now To God, and to one… 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
Liturgy: Advent 1 – 2020.11.29
The follow liturgy is written to accompany the RCL scripture for November 29, 2020 and can be used/adapted for worship with citation. PowerPoint slides for these prayers can be found HERE Scripture slides with matching theme can be found HER CALL TO WORSHIP (inspired by Isaiah 64: 1-9) One: From ages past, for years… Read More
Liturgy Nov. 1
“…our actions leave us a broken people…” Read More
Liturgy October 4, 2020
Liturgy Resources for Sunday October 4, 2020 World Communion Sunday RCL: Isaiah 5: 1-7, Psalm 80: 7-15, Philippians 3: 4-14, Matthew 21: 33-46 A CALL TO WORSHIP (for Turbulent Times) One: As we watch fires rage ALL: we are reminded you are calling us to Holy Ground. One: As we watch the torrential rains ALL: … Read More
Words for Blue Christmas Reverse Advent Wreath
Blue Christmas is a worship service designed for those who might be grieving during the holidays and want a space to hold that during the season. This liturgy uses the candles of the Advent wreath (hope, peace, love joy) to reflect on loss. Start with all candles lit, and extinguish each one in turn (but… Read More
Liturgy: LAMENTATIONS OF MARY
(The following words were written for United Theological Seminary’s 2014 Blue Christmas service, and follow the traditional Blue Christmas candle-lighting moments of pain, fear, struggle, and grief.) PAIN Mary: They say that women forget the pain of childbirth, but I don’t believe it’s true. I will neverforget the pain. I labored for hours on the… Read More
LITURGY: Fugue of Blessed Women
OR, The Litany for Women Who Have No Choice. The following can be used as a litany or a multi-voice sermon. It was originally written for a prayer service focused on advocating for women’s health rights for the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities VOICE 4: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours… Read More
Cathy Mia Kolwey 