Author Archives: Pastor Catharine

December 5, 2021 Luke 1:24-56 Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and Mary, the mother of Jesus I find Elizabeth and Mary so relatable and not just to women!  The women’s responses to God’s miracles transcend gender and age. As we go through the self-emptying of Advent in preparation for Christmas, I believe they haveContinue reading “Second Advent: Two Women – Two Responses to the Miracle”

Luke 1:5-25 and Matthew 1:18-25 November 29, 2021 We spend so much of our time in Advent rushing to get to Christmas that we don’t often spend time considering what was going on in the lives of those people mentioned in the set up leading to Jesus’ birth. Yet, as in so many other scripturalContinue reading “First Advent: Two Men –  Two Responses to the Miraculous  “

October 25, 2021             Once, when I was confronted with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, a wise woman suggested that I treat the situation as an experiment. She suggested that I engage in a specific behavior for a particular amount of time and consciously observe the outcome.   I learned so much from her suggestion! Since then, I haveContinue reading “An Unplanned Experiment”

October 10, 2021 When I was a child, I loved to color.  It was so relaxing to sprawl on the living room floor with my coloring book and box of 64 crayons (complete with crayon sharpener in the box, I might add!) and color to my heart’s content.  As a very young child, I was contentContinue reading “The Coloring Book of Life: Scribbling and Creative Artistry”

September 26, 2021 Yep, another bike analogy!  Who would have thought getting in shape physically would have so much to teach me spiritually as well!  The ultimate two-fer! A couple of weeks ago, while riding, I was in such a good head space…..until I wasn’t…!   It seemed that every few yards, I had to dodge poo rightContinue reading “Poo on the Path”

September 13, 2021 This past week while riding my bike – yep, another cycling epiphany! – I spied a bit of unexpected beauty and persevering joy.  Along the edge of the bike path, in a huge area of overgrowth and unruly weeds, a single morning glory raised its delicate blossom to meet the sun.   Humbly,Continue reading “Rising Above the Weeds”

August 29, 2021 I wasn’t going to blog this week.  I couldn’t imagine how to address what is all around us.  What could I possibly have to offer anyone when I feel at the same time so very overwhelmed yet empty? Every week, I think – things can’t get much worse.   This week has to be the end ofContinue reading “Glitter in the Dark Times: Unexpected Lights of Hope and Celebration”

August 15, 2021 I don’t know about you, but I’ve just about had it.   Never in all my years (and I’m ancient) have I seen such an epidemic of ego-centricity and the subsequent violation of God’s plan for the goodness of the world. Things are just going from bad to worse: Widespread flooding where itContinue reading “What Have We Done to God’s Plan?”

August 1, 2021 When I watched the Wizard of Oz as an adult, I was realized I had missed a very important  lesson embedded in the Wizard’s encounters with Dorothy and her friends.  The Wizard’s chamber, with its flashes of light, mighty rumblings, and the huge ferocious visage projected on a screen terrified the group andContinue reading “Random Musings: Toto’s Revelation and the Pathway Home”

July 18, 2021 It is amazing how all of life intersects. Though the intersections may catch us by surprise, they always can teach us the most transformative lessons if we will just pay attention.  For example, I have learned a lot of life lessons over the years through things as simple as jogging and cycling. Continue reading “Random Musings: Commit and go!”