Rev. Jenn's Blog
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...
Release and Claim: A Spiritual Checklist for the New Year
Now that the holiday frenzy is over, we can continue on our way. Not with the resolve to slog through life, but with the intention to feel more fulfilled and content. So, if we’re ready to reach new destinations, we need to release what doesn’t work so we...
Journey Forth
In bleak Winter, under blackened sky, chirps ring out. Robin, great harbinger of Spring, perched above tundra. Song shattering night. Sustenance revealed below frozen ground. Artic air. Bitter chill. Darkness. Silence. Stillness. And that soft, sweet song, like a...
Grateful All Ways
Thanksgiving is here again, and all around us are reminders to give thanks. However we celebrate the holiday, many of us can easily list the “good” things for which we’re grateful: comfortable dwellings; a well-stocked pantry; loving friends and family; fulfilling...
It Could Happen to You
That kind of thing can’t happen here. But it could happen to you. It could happen to you . . . . . . buying groceries at Kroger. . . . gathering the prayer circle at church. . . . comparing notes in 4th period English. . . . reading Torah on Saturday morning. . . ....
Trust the Steps
Our egos are making headlines again as people try to comprehend the chaos and conflicts we’re experiencing in the world and determine how to stop them. Ego, as defined by psychoanalysis, helps us determine our sense of personal identity and self-worth. Derived from...
A Higher Standard
Several years ago, when I finally settled on my own spiritual path, a mentor reminded me: “Life will still have challenges. And, no matter what happens, no matter what anyone says, believes, or does, you decide how you want to be.” Her wisdom sounds simple enough,...
Face the Change
Early September, and already yellow leaves appear amidst a green tapestry. Air is cooler, crisper here, in the morning, and skies are darker, too. September already, we say. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas wait in the wings. It’s this way, more or less, every...
Relieved to Let Go
As we travel our own faithful journeys, many of us notice that some things and people don’t change, no matter how much we wish they would. And many of us have fought, labored, and struggled to change or fix something or someone unready for change. It’s like trying to...
Be A Light
One of our discoveries on this life journey is that we have divine gifts and talents to share. Whatever these are, they’re the light of God, expressing through us, shining as us. Jesus taught in the “Sermon on the Mount”: You are the light of the world. A city set...
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