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 here: https://www.youtube.com/live/rvZffKy-UX8?si=5GzLZd0Sd2dJRMiG
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… Read More
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:
BLOG: Who am I a Neighbor to?
A Midrash On The Good Samaritan. With a heart that is breaking for the flooding deaths in Texas, the lack of care by our governmental leaders, and the silence of our Christian community, I am considering once again the parable of the Good Samaritan. Religious officials ask Jesus what is the greatest commandment. Jesus responds,… Read More
SERMON: Welcome, Beloved.
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.
SERMON: Unexpected Visitors
To kick off Advent, I was invited to guest preach at Meetinghouse Church on December 1, 2024. The sermon starts at the 22:50 mark. You can watch it here:
SERMON: Write It on our Hearts
Last Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, I had the privilege of guest preaching at Meetinghouse Church in Edina, MN. The scripture for the message was Deuteronomy 6: 4-9, often called The Shema. Sermon starts at the 27 min. mark:
SERMON: A Call to Radical Welcome
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 here:
LITURGY: A Prayer for a Church in Conflict (2)
Holy God, be with us this day. May our wrestlings lead us to redemption, may our wonderings lead us to mercy. Let our empathy surpass our righteousness; let our commitment to covenant overcome our attachment to division. In our efforts to build community, may we let go of our need to stand in judgment. In… Read More
SERMON: Be a Doer
“A faith that is pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their times of distress” Read More
SERMON: Table Manners
“if you’re enemy is hungry, feed them.” Read More
The Gates of Hope
This poem, by Victoria Safford, is speaking to my heart today. The Gates of Hope:Our mission is to plant ourselves at the gates of Hope—Not the prudent gates of Optimism,Which are somewhat narrower.Not the stalwart, boring gates of Common Sense;Nor the strident gates of Self-Righteousness,Which creak on shrill and angry hinges(People cannot hear us there;… Read More
SERMON: At Table with Our Enemies
“love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” Read More
SERMON: A Table for those “Like Us”
“when you have done this to the least of these, you have done it into me” Read More
SERMON: Hospitality, with Mercy
Audio of sermon preached for St. John’s UCC, Bongards, MN. September 15, 2019. Listen here: Hospitality, With Mercy. From the Fall 2019 sermon series Room At the Table: The Hospitality Scriptures.
SERMON: The Kid’s Table
Jesus said “let the little children come to me” Read More
SERMON: The Welcome Table.
“for everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and everyone who humbles themselves will be exalted” Read More
Cathy Mia Kolwey 