I am raising a child who is not my own. We saw each other one day on a common street corner, where the accidental-child lives and where my blood-children descend from the big yellow bus. That was more than a year ago, and now our familial lives are intertwined. Its co- parenting at it’s most experimental – the boy, his mother and the household at the Abbey. We are all guinea pigs.

Our Wolfpup is sixteen years old, intelligent, funny, and at ease with people of all ages. He loves history, German shock rock, and all things electronic He’s lived in three countries and visited a dozen more; is a sponge for anything involving historical war craft, … {read more…}

Ah, it’s 86 degrees and Summer is upon us.

If I were convinced of the cause-and-effect nature of prayer (an idea to which I am only intermittedly a convert), then I would say the now-sunny weather has everything to do with the fact that we remembered on Solstice.

Our annual Monkfish Abbey Solstice party/worship fest was all candlelight and fire light and spinning torches. Fire and flame in the back yard — our burnt sacrifice offered as an act of thanksgiving for the Sun and her Source. We are a pagan-y people.

It strikes me, in the afterglow of this fire-ringed night, that perhaps there is no better a metaphor for God than our ever present guiding orb — transendent for … {read more…}

Sorry to have been so absent folks, but the Urban Abbess is busy, busy, busy. Doing what, you might ask? How about: buildling floats for the Solstice Parade on Saturday; doing the solo-parenting thing while Paul’s in Boston for eight days; babysitting overnight for two kids ages 1 and 4 (one of whom threw up); pet sitting Spike, the girl guinea pig (who came without her water bottle, thus necessitating a trip to Petco to buy a new one); running Cate has her last dance rehersal before the recital; attending her Kindergarten graduation (hat, gown, and all!); buring a deceased sparrow complete with a burial bed made of poppy flowers and a prayer circle; coaching a teenager finals; … {read more…}

Here’s some upcoming Seattle stuff that you local yokels might be interested in.

First off, Brian McClaren, author of A New Kind of Christian and other books on postmodern faith will be speaking at Seattle First Baptist Church, Monday June 12 at 7pm. This event is free and is sponsored by the fabulous independent bookseller, Elliot Bay Bookstore. For more info, click here.

On the heals of the First Baptist event, there’s a chance to chat with Brian at Off the Map’s fundraising event Tuesday, June 13th from 9:30-11:30am at Vineyard Community Church. This event cost $20 at the door and includes coffee, pastries, and conversation. Click here for location information.

Also coming up is the … {read more…}

Hello Friends,

It’s Urban Abbess here to tell you that I am in Love, Love, LOVE with this journal by artist Sabrina Ward Harrison. At first the pre-loved prepared pages were so lovely that I didn’t want to scribble on them. In fact, I was so reluctant to write on this book that I actually copied down ALL of the journal prompts into another notebook instead. At the same time I was experimenting by mixing collage and writing together in one of my own blank books. Like This:

Seeing my own collages surrounded by text helped me be bold enough to … {read more…}

For several months now Rebecca has been gently suggesting that I hand over some of the duties of the Abbey to Other People. When she started pointing double entendres in my own writing that indicated that I needed more help, I finally listened.

In March I asked the Monks to sign-up to bring dinner. I like making soup for the Monks. I turn on nice music, I put on the chef coat’s Paul indulged me with one Christmas, and I try to be very present to the chopping and stirring. If I have time to bake something, I pray for each person as I add ingredients and stir or knead. Then I set the table and pick a … {read more…}