Rev. Jenn's Blog
Faith is the Substance
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not yet seen.” -- from Hebrews 11:1 Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional: Substance is the underlying form, or matter, of all things.In theology, God may be...
Listen to Your Inner Guru
One Sunday morning at church, a visitor gushed with excitement about being there and meeting me. After the service concluded, he thrust paper and pen at me. “I want you to write something down,” he said and proceeded to advise me about how much I could...
Experiencing God Beyond the Building
In towns and countries around the world, many houses of worship —churches, temples, synagogues, mosques — are remaining closed. Many of them have gone virtual, though a few have shut their doors forever. Whatever the religion, the building was often more...
Called to Be Our Best
We used to run around all over the place, busy, scheduled, appointments up the ying yang. Go here, go there. Things to do. People to see. Articles about how to do our make-up and conduct meetings, on airplanes. Pack for a week in one...
Doing the Limbo
Anyone who’s attended an old-time dance party knows the Limbo Rock. The popular dance asks us to shimmy ourselves below a bar without knocking it over. Succeeding at the Limbo Rock doesn’t require the coolest moves. It requires the most dexterity and...
What’s Happening Now
During a difficult life transition, I fretted about outcomes, sometimes feeling as if I’d spin out of control. Fortunately, I attended a weekly sangha, and our group meditations anchored my faith. One day, I admitted my fears to our teacher,...
Faith and Sensibility
One winter, the entire high school where I taught shared an ailment. It started with laryngitis, though no physical discomfort. Then it became a cough and a chest cold, which led to bronchitis for me. When I saw the doctor, he said it was viral, not...
Feel the Hope
Sometime after the New Year 2015, I experienced divine discontent, that feeling which is part God-nudge, longing, and dissatisfaction. All seemed well enough in my life, and yet something else called. In late February, while planning a church class, I...
Into Another Year: A Prayer for New Year 2020
Into another year we go,Onto possibility’s path,Untrammeled and untraveledPavedUnpavedRepavedThe re-examined, reconsidered life. Within the closet of ourselves we contemplate new garments,Cutting through cloth tattered and torn,Embroidering the past’s patchwork...
The Greatest Gifts
Less than a week before we celebrate the seasons of light, miracles, and rich cultural heritage, we Americans are processing another presidential impeachment. In their outer solemnity, some people secretly celebrate. Others scream and argue, as usual. Yet, some of...
A Place of Thanksgiving
As I prepare for Thanksgiving and reflect on the latest news about refugees, immigration, and border patrols, I’m also reminiscing about giving the invocation and benediction at a naturalization ceremony. Before the ceremony, the guest speaker, a naturalized...
A Friend Indeed
Years ago, as a young executive, I had a friend who seemed to walk on water. We hung out a lot, and I held her word as sacred. Often, I took her advice, even when the faintest still, small voice whispered that her way wasn’t best for me. Sometimes, I...
What I Remember
We each have our own memories. We remember various aspects, specific images, certain feelings, in myriad ways. 18 years later, this is what I remember: Leaving home Car thermometer: 72o New Jersey Turnpike entrance Crowded lanes Sunshine in my window Her...
Give It a Rest
As the world seems to move faster than ever, many of us are trying to keep pace. We ratchet items off to-do lists only to find more to get done the next day. We’ll rest later, we say, when we’ve accomplished everything on that never-ending list. Only...
Higher Caliber Connections
As more people died from gun violence this past week, more terror, shock, and disbelief set in. While many turn to thoughts and prayers, these feel meaningless and shallow because they propel few of us into transforming ourselves and our communities into places...
Free in the Feeling
During a recent gathering with friends to share our latest achievements and family tidbits, one person removed their phone. They flashed an image for us to see, commenting about personal fragmentation, political polarization, and societal demise. They...
A Label, By Any Other Name
One day during a planning meeting, someone appreciated my organizational skills and said, “My Virgo feels so much better now.” Then they asked about several future activities. I said we’d get to those in a few months, after we completed other steps. ...
Another Path Ahead
Journeys often begin the same way. We decide to leave town, take a trip, explore a new venue, or revisit a favorite destination. Sometimes we imagine the geographic cure, believing that once the past is out of sight, it also will be out of mind. Then...
With Us Still
Earlier this year, my college classmate Dave died. I saw a mosaic of photos posted on Facebook, one which included me. I stared at the photo. Dave was dead? My classmate who read this blog, who was irreverent and compassionate at the same...
Giving Up the Fight
These days arguing and fighting are their own sports. Whether face to face or tweeting back and forth, some people enjoy cutting one another down to determine who’s right and who’s wrong. More valuable than the Master’s Cup or a World Series ring, the...
Included Now
Once Jesus was asked when the Kingdom of God is coming, and he replied: “The Kingdom of God is not coming with things which can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is among you.’” (Luke...
Like It Like That
Recently, I went to a garden center in search of a new planter. When I arrived, everyone was rushing around, including the merchandiser who huffed when I asked for help. Rather than inquire about my likes, home, surroundings, or anything else about my...
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