When we can’t even decided whether:

a) men and women are equal under the eyes of God

–OR-

b) women are weak, dangerous, and incapable and must be taken care of by men

then, I don’t think we could call Christianity an organized religion.

What’s the best way to get the gunk out of the bottom of the tall vases that held the dia de muertos flowers?

I’m opting for soapy water and a paper towel swirled aournd the bottom of the vase with the long searated bread knife. Any other ideas?

Also, here’s good tip for getting the cooked-on soup out of the bottom of your stock pot after feeding your church or somewhat-church-like community. You know those scrapers that come with the Pampered Chef baking stones? (Why, you might ask, do I, the urban abbess, own such a high flauten’ thing? My in-laws lovingly gave it to me for Christmas, back when I liked to pretend that I would cook after I … {read more…}

There’s a lot of activity in Seattle right now around Mars Hill Church and its leader, Mark Driscoll. I’ve been watching it all with deep sadness and concern. As a Christian, I’m saddened that Jesus, a man I deeply love, is being misused and maligned at Mars Hill Church. As a pastor, I’m concerned for the many women – along with men, marriages, and families — that have been damaged by Driscoll’s extreme theology.

As a former abuse victim, I know the power of telling my story. When you tell your story, you take the power of your life’s tale back into your own hands, and you diminish the power of the person who abused or misused you. Secrecy and silence … {read more…}

Once More Into the Fire

My friend and mentor, Rose Swetman, co-pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship, has written an exceptionally intelligent and well-reasoned letter to Mark Driscoll, lead pastor at Mars Hill Church. Rose sent this to me yesterday and my trust in her is so great that I immediately agreed to post it. When I was finally able to read the letter late last night, I was impressed by Rose’s scholarship, temperance, and bravery. I post this letter for you now, with the greatest respect. Please join Rose and others as we use our voices.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Mr. Driscoll:

My name is Rose Swetman and I am the Co-Pastor of Vineyard Community Church in Shoreline, WA. This is an open letter and … {read more…}

Okay, I don’t usually follow church-related news, but this whole Ted Haggard thing is just appalling. It’s appalling that the man had sexual relationship outside his marriage. It’s appalling that being gay, lesbian or bi is still considered a sin in large portions of the church (thus encouraging secret and destructive behavior.). And it’s appalling is that Mark Driscoll, local evil genius and darling bad-boy of the religious press, has suggested that Haggard might not have gone off the deep end if his wife had been hotter. Yes boys and girls, pastors are less likely to have sex with someone other than their wife if she just hits the gym more and keeps those dark roots touched up … {read more…}

Rebecca’s bath tray is beautiful – a deep dark-stained wood covered with mysteries. There is a large bottle of oil with a stopper. A small hand-blown vial with a twisted lid in the colors of fire. A squat round jar with a lid of woven silver holds pale blue salts. A candle burns in the middle, the same soft shade of buttery yellow as the lotion bar molded into the shape of the smiling moon.

“I like your bath tray.” I say, as she carries it through the warm afternoon light of the dining room.

“I don’t take a bath,” says Rebecca, “I have a ritual.”

I love rituals. They mark holy time, holy space. I have so many of them … {read more…}

4.21.06

I am driving a car through a coastal highway along high cliffs. I am helping someone escape. The car can barely make it up the hill. We creep along, urging the car to gain speed. Finally, I realize the emergency break is on.

Later, I in the dream I realize I am trying to help women escape from sexual slavery. They are being forced to work in a big, expensive club. A friend who is a children’s minister is bringing children into the club. She thought it would be a good opportunity for them – that somehow they would be safe there. The babies in the group were all trussed up on serving platters. They were alive and squalling. It … {read more…}

6.17.06

I am giggling with delight that Paul and the girls will be here soon. I spent the morning in my pajamas, watching The Hunt for Red October and IQ (the only remaining available movies) while I finished the last pages for the LuLu journal. The final page – seafoam origami paper with temporary tattoo mermaids and seashells from magazines – gave me fits. I transferred one mermaid image twice, and then decided to scrap it all together in lieu of the origami background, which was also a transfer but took forever to reveal. I think I rubbed my fingerprints off in places trying to get the ink to release from the paper!

While I rubbed away the paper like … {read more…}

Lan´guish`ing
1. Becoming languid and weak; pining; losing health and strength.
2. Amorously pensive; indicating melancholy; as, languishing eyes, or look.
3. Suffering neglect, neglected.
4. Continuing in a weak or deteriorating state, lingering.

I’ve been languishing this Summer. I don’t hate Summer or anything. As a matter of fact, here are some of the many things I love about Summer in Seattle:

• Playing on the beaches.
• Listening to the girls singing the songs they learned at Bible camp
• “No rush” mornings.
• Vitamin D (great for migraine prevention!)
• Dinner outdoors.
• Sprinklers.
• Picking the entire salad out of your garden.
• Freckles.

But there are things I don’t like about the Summer too. For instance, the kids are here all the time! Lest you think I’m the only one this bugs, … {read more…}

Effloresce is here! Effloresece is a journal produced by EWLI, the Emerging Women’s Leadership Initiative. Spreaheaded by Holly Rankin Zaher, this grant-funded collection of essays, poetry, and visual art features a plethora of femal practitioners who are carving out thier own unique paths in the emerging church and beyond. I especially liked the vibrant artwork of Blair Davenport-Anderson, and it was nice to “hear” from far flung collegues like Kelly Bean, Nanette Sawyer, and Debbie Blue (who I once heard give a kick ass sermon on the phallic nature of the Tower of Babel and the womblike nature of the Ark. It was great!) You can download Effloresce at the Emergent US webiste. Oh, … {read more…}