Category: just me
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Spiritual Edge Book Review
As a college campus Chaplain, I keep my eyes open for resources to engage spirituality with my students. Many of them are coming from a deconstruction angle of some sort, even if they are just questioning their religion/faith for the first time while away from home. More of them are…
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A rainy day grave and a call to ministry.
It has been twenty years exactly. Twenty years since Pastor David Stoner surprised me in Bible study and started a chain of events I never expected to end up here. As we sat in study, someone asked him about seminary (not me) and he was sharing information about it. At…
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Losing a brother
Today I lost a brother. I had always wanted an older one and when my mom married my dad, Gary, I got two. Now one is dead and I have a lot of feelings about it. (I am withholding his name out of respect for his final wishes). Sadly, I…
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Where in the World is Pastor Julie Kelly?
A brief on how I ended up in Syracuse. What a journey! In April I submitted my paperwork to be open to call (that means “job” in churchy language). I released it to the ENTIRE ELCA, including global service. I had no idea what to expect. The story follows. I…
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Under the Altar Cloth: Volunteers and turf wars
Not all volunteers in the church (or anywhere for that fact) are ready to let go of their control and perfected skills.
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The power of being still
When my children were little they would wind up the more tired they were. It was as if they were afraid of falling asleep, afraid of stillness. More than once I would hold a crying child in my arms while they tried so hard to keep moving. I sat, gently…
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Under the Altar Cloth: Who does a Pastor belong to?
We are hired and paid by a congregation. But we do not belong to them.
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Under the Altar Cloth: Titles, Names, & Privilege
Discussions on topics difficult to navigate when pastoring a congregation While interviewing I am asked a lot how I shall be addressed. This is a conundrum every time. When I choose to be Pastor First-Name I am considered friendly, open, and available but also younger, less experienced, and less professional.…
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The stillness of Holy Week
Sometimes we rush through life so much we forget to be still. The idea of stillness in Holy Week almost seems wrong….
Mistress of Divinity 