Monthly Archives: August 2016

“Rally Day” Call to Worship, with a focus on religious literacy

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Maren

Rev. Michael S. Mulberry, who is Senior Minister at Billings First Church (UCC) in Billings, Montana, shares a call to worship for “Rally Sunday.” Rally Sunday is a tradition of celebrating the re-gathering of young and old together after vacations in the … Continue reading →

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Thank God for the good blueberry year

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Maren

The strawberries were shriveled and meager, by lack of rain, early heat. The blossoms of the peach trees fell to a late frost for the second year in a row. As for the raspberries in my back yard — who … Continue reading →

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For the next 100 years (National Parks)

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Maren

Happy first day of the next one hundred years, Denali and Death Valley, Shenandoah, Saguaro, and Sequoia, Acadia and Arches, Congaree and Carlsbad Caverns, Isle Royal and Olympia, Yosemite and Badlands, Haleakalā and Dry Tortugas. And to the national monuments, … Continue reading →

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Affirmation of Faith by Youth

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Maren

During the Assembly of the Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Latin America (AIPRAL), a Pre-Assembly of youth took place. During this time they were guided in reflection and prayer by the pastor Jorge Zijlstra. As one of the … Continue reading →

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You are the one! (2 Samuel 12)

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Maren

Somebody find a prophet to tell a parable about two countries – one rich and one poor. The rich country had many times hosted the Olympics but Rio de Janeiro threw a brave and beautiful party this first time and … Continue reading →

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Distilled Hope

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Maren

Originally posted on A Poet's Vision:
The evening and the morning, are one and the same- beckoning my loins to pray. And yet a little while – our bodies exude a mist of metaphysical liberation with limits because we have forgotten…

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Go to the ant … poem from South Africa

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Maren

From the remarkable poet Isobel DeGruchy of South Africa. This personal zoo comes from her 2010 book From Well and from Woe. Go to the Ant… The ant is always hurrying from place to place, appearing industrious; I am the … Continue reading →

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Not a children’s story with zoo animals

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Maren

What that long-ago rainbow meant was that now we are all called to be Noah in our neighbor’s flood. We are the boat-builders of rescue for the frightened, care for the homeless and advocacy that does not cease for all … Continue reading →

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Wherever you are bent on your journey

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Maren

Psalm 126:2a Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Luke 13:13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. Prayer God, I laugh and I … Continue reading →

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Reflection on Luke 13: 10-17

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Maren

So here is my favorite transgender story of all time — and I don’t suppose you can tell whether the one bending over was someone everyone saw as a man bent over the woman inside, or the bowed shape of … Continue reading →

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