Archive for May 2010
Worst Car at the Funeral
Posted by: revjmk on: May 27, 2010
- In: Deep Thoughts | Sound Off
- 2 Comments
Most of the time, I ride in the hearse or the lead car with the funeral director for the journey from the funeral to the gravesite. This is always fun, because contrary to their dour image, funeral directors can be quite funny. They are usually willing to regale you with outrageous stories from the death [...]
The Meaning of Church Membership
Posted by: revjmk on: May 25, 2010
What does it mean to be a member? Why does it even matter? The question came from a woman who had returned to our church after an absence of more than 25 years. She had been baptized, confirmed and married at our church, and several of her children were baptized and even confirmed with us. [...]
Book Review: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
Posted by: revjmk on: May 21, 2010
- In: Book Reviews | Ministry Moments | Women
- 1 Comment
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver, Waterbrook Press, 2000, 242 pp. I read this book at the choosing of our Women’s Fellowship group, who asked me to help lead them in a discussion of a chapter every month at their meeting. [...]
Music Education
Posted by: revjmk on: May 20, 2010
This morning started out rough. B woke up early, then melted down from tiredness, then we got stuck in 45 minutes of traffic on the ride to school. To fill time in traffic, I introduced B to new music: Johnny Cash’s My Mother’s Hymn Book. B loves music, and we have been intentional about teaching [...]
Book Review: The Glass Castle
Posted by: revjmk on: May 19, 2010
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls, Scribner, 2005, 288 pp. This book unfolds the simultaneous story of an unraveling and a piecing together, a coming apart and a unification. Walls’ memoir tells the story of her childhood, which is the unraveling of her parents’ mental health, the piecing together of her perception of what is [...]
Mommy, what does “kill” mean?
Posted by: revjmk on: May 17, 2010
The drive to preschool has become definition time. If B has heard new words he does not understand, he often asks about them during the quiet drive. I enjoy his inquiring mind, and the challenge of explaining something in terms he will understand. Last week, though, it got complicated. Mommy, what does “kill” mean? As [...]
Book Review: Holy Places
Posted by: revjmk on: May 14, 2010
Holy Places: Making Sacred Space with Mission and Message, by Nancy DeMott, Tim Shapiro and Brent Bill, The Alban Institute, 2007, 257 pp. My congregation is in the beginning phases of a building project, including a major renovation of our basement and upgrades of HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. I am excited about this project, [...]
Book Review: The Gravedigger’s Daughter
Posted by: revjmk on: May 8, 2010
The Gravedigger’s Daughter, by Joyce Carol Oates, HarperCollins, 2007, 582 pages. Oh, Joyce Carol Oates, you beguile me! Your writing is so beautiful, so intricate, so compelling that I expect pleasure and delight. But I do not enjoy myself when I read your books, because the harsh reality of your stories and the lives of [...]
The Birthday Present
Posted by: revjmk on: May 4, 2010
- In: Mom Moments | Sound Off
- 2 Comments
B just got invited to his first birthday party. One of the girls in his preschool class is having a princess party next week, and he got an invitation. He is very excited! Since he has never been to a birthday party before, we told him we should probably bring a birthday present for his [...]
About Me
I am a full-time pastor in the United Church of Christ, mother of a preschooler (B.), married to an aspiring academic and curmudgeon (J.). I live by faith, intuition and intellect. I follow politics, football and the Boston Red Sox. I like to talk about progressive issues, theological concerns, church life, the impact of technology and media, pop culture and books.
- Aleada SIragusa: I am a member of United Church of Christ also. One of our pastors, Rev Victoria Long is also a woman. I am on the net searching for photographs I may
- Samantha R.: Hello, I work with a publication called The Traveler's Friend. We are a coupon book for hotels. I was wondering if I could get your permission to use
- Marilyn Holt: Thank you for your inspiring comments on the disaster in your neighborhood and the uplifting section from your sermon. This entry in your blog is maki
