A creative collaboration between Trinity United Methodist Church and Sellwood Faith Community

Years ago, when I was studying abroad in Spain, I started smoking. I was lonely, reeling from a sexual assault, and desperately needing connection and community.  Smoking with my host mom on the balcony became a blessed retreat in the midst of homesickness, fear,...

My elderly in-laws are in crisis. Our family has had to shift our whole lives around this week to help take care of them. Our daughter is having to plan for next school year this week and that is an anxiety producing exercise. The School Board meeting I presided over...

Epiphany is the story of a corrupt king, people jockeying for power, competing narratives, signs in the heavens, gifts that foreshadow who Jesus will be, foreign dignitaries, and angelic dreams. Wednesday, as I watched the assault on our nation, I was first sad that...

This Sunday we'll be opening up envelopes with Star Words in them. These words were sent at random to those who received advent packets. If you didn't get a word or didn't get enough for your household you can use the random word generator here. The point of star...

365 times in the bible someone says, "do not be afraid." One reminder to not fear for every day of the year. In the course of the telling of the Christmas story we hear this reminder when Gabriel comes to Mary, when angels appear to both Jacob & Zechariah, and...

I often end up receiving a lot of strong emotions. I walk with people in grief and loneliness, am a focus of anger and anxiety, and offer a boundary to push against for those learning about themselves. It is hard this work, and yet I do it out of love. Love sometimes...

I have been laughing a lot lately. It feels like there are fewer instances when humor and happiness bubble up these days so I am trying to make the most of them, to claim joy when I can. Watching tv with my daughter Paige is one way I can harness laughter. She cackles...

Sometimes, on days when I need a moment, I crawl under my cozy comforter and just let my mind wander. The cat comes and curls up with me as my thoughts unfurl. Often here is when things I have been ignoring claim my attention and in my cocoon of comfort I can face...

As we drove through Detroit earlier this month & saw the three remaining buildings standing in the midst of the rubble I felt such sadness. And yet the green ferns peeking up out of the burned forest were a vibrant sign of new life. The busyness of the grocery...

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, rolls and turkey and mashed potatoes and yams. I love cooking these special foods. I love getting up early for the Turkey Trot. I love the time with family. I love the memories of past meals. I love the traditions we have around...