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
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
SERMON: The Courage To Be Angry
This past Sunday, March 7th, I had the privilege to be the guest preacher at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN. You can listen to my meditation on Jesus turning the tables in the temple (John 2: 13-25) here: THE COURAGE TO BE ANGRY
POEM: An Open Letter to the Coach Who Cares
You noticed, and you named it. Over the season, he started to lose his spark. I am profoundly grateful that you noticed the change. You even encouraged him… “if basketball is not your thing, maybe something else…” You had no way to know, it’s not about the game. It’s about learning how to live… 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
SERMON: Leaving Our Nets Behind.
What are we willing to leave behind for the sake of greater discipleship?
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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: Hindsight is 20/20
(Caveat: if you have lost a loved one this past year — whether to covid or suicide or just old age — this post may not be for you, and may seem callous in the face of deep and abiding grief.) When I remember back to January 2020 — the New Year of a new… 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
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
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
Liturgy Nov. 1
“…our actions leave us a broken people…” 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
Cathy Mia Kolwey 