Jen R. sent me this song a few weeks ago. Doesn’t it remind you of life at our house on Densmore Street?

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ARTIST: Dar Williams
TITLE: The Christians and the Pagans

Amber called her uncle, said “We’re up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay”
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three
He told his niece, “It’s Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style”
She said, “Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it’s been awhile”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that … {read more…}

Okay, ya’ll. I often get asked for stuff like this…but I rarely have the time to edit it. So here it is completely un-spellchecked. This is just what I use to keep me from forgetting what I am doing in a moment of panic. (Yes, even twelve friendly people in room can make me panic when it comes to leading new-to-us rites and rituals. It’s a risky thing, this new kind of liturgy stuff! You can really fall on your face, often and spectacularly!) Anywho, here is it.

Guided Meditation for Advent
While lighting a three wick candle or three candles:

I bind unto this place today the strong cords of the trinity, by invocation of the same the three in one and … {read more…}

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Tonight, our nights grow shorter and our days grow long!
We look once more on these earthy symbols–firelight and evergreens–
and remember God’s promise to our world:
That our Light and our Hope, will come.

The Words of the Prophet

What came into existence was Life,
And the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; … {read more…}

Last night was our last gathering of Monkfish Abbey before Christmas. I really enjoyed preparing for it. To me, as the Abbess, the preparation is nearly as holy as the gathering. I love spending time thinking of the people who will come, offering little thoughts and prayers for them, and vesting our house for worship. I love creating holy space. I just might be a holy space addict.

Paul was home on vacation so he lovingly made the soup. (No migraines for me from chopping onions!) We made our traditional Winter Minestrone with red bell peppers and zucchini. The girls helped clean the house and put the cookies out on a very special tray that my sister in law … {read more…}

Wednesday, December 21
Winter Solstice

After two weeks of solid migraines I finally got into the neurologist today. I’m down to three options. 1) Try a new med which will make me dizzy and sleepy and see if it works. (It’s just the luck of the draw whether it works for my body or not. )2) See a gynecologist who specializes in endocrinology and see if we can get my body chemistry (i.e. hormones) in better alignment. (This option is most hopeful.) or 3) Botox most of the muscles in my head every three months.

I don’t want to think about it.

My migraine was down to a 3 on the pain scale, so I managed to get to yoga today. As … {read more…}

Tonya meme’d me yesterday. I have no idea what that word means, but I get that I’m supposed to answer questions. So here they go:

Seven Things to Do Before I Die:

1. learn to surf
2. write a book
3. be with someone at their passing
4. be that mentor-y type person who changed someone’s life
5. prep my girls for a successful relationship-and-sex life
6. live in another country temporarily
7. do right by the people I love

Seven Things I Cannot Do:

1. anything requiring precision
2. percentages
3. stuff involving computer snafus
4. learn new technical processes quickly
5. focus on one passion at a time
6. keep a clean house
7. sew

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Husband [romantic interest, best friend, whomever]:
1. political and theological ballsyness
2. … {read more…}

So last weekend I went to a lecture on the history of Christmas as a national American holiday. The speaker was a professor of comparative religion at the University of Washington, and it was very interesting and offered some new-to-me information. The lecture was a at a church, presented to a room full of mainline liberals mostly in their 40’s – 60’s. The general response was one typical of most Christians I know which is “Yes! Isn’t it awful how “they” have hijacked Christmas!”

I’m sick of that particular outrage.

According to the professor, Christmas has basically equaled time with family + commercialism since the 1800’s. The 1800’s people! How long are we going to complain about it being hijacked?! Isn’t … {read more…}

We went to church this weekend – twice, actually. For most pastors this is not unusual. But for any of you who have been reading along with me for awhile, you know I don’t fall under the category of “most pastors.”

Friday night we went over to the Seattle Vineyard, a place that was my church home for 15 years, the place which first released me into pastoral ministry. One of our monk-friends, Mike LaJoie, was having a CD release party there and we headed over to celebrate. Eden was immediately in seventh heaven. In addition to bright lights and dancing, there were snacks and dozens of grown up playmates to get reconnected to. She flitted about like … {read more…}

Cate and Eden happily played Barbie’s all morning on Saturday. Eventually I called them downstairs for lunch, and as they sat down Catie (5yrs) said:

“When I grow up I’m going to have SEX!”

And Eden (7yrs) replied:

“Yeah. And our Barbies are upstairs having sex right now!”

Everyone in the room was considerably shocked, but I managed to play it cool.

Me: Yep. You’ll probably have sex when you group up.

Eden: When?

Paul (immediately): When you are THIRTY SIX!

By this point, Souren (15yrs) is on the floor laughing.

Me: What do you mean “when,” Eden?

Eden: You know…like when I’m ten I get to have my ears pierced, when I’m 13 I’ll be a teenager…

Me: Well Eden, there’s a time and a place for every thing … {read more…}