Song: Redemption Tattoo | Red Letter Christians Blog | Friends, I spent time last week learning how Committees on Ministry can help candidates for ordination follow alternative paths to get the education they need. Changing with the times is hard work, and the road never seems quite as clear as we'd like. -Liz Sunday School? A significant role of the church is education. In Episcopal circles we call it formation to distinguish it from the simple passing on of knowledge. We call it "Sunday...
6 days ago • 3 min read
Song: Let the Mystery Be | Article: Avoiding Resentment | Friends, I had stitches out of my foot on Monday. I'm much more mobile, although I still cannot carry anything from one spot to another. I've been able to get into the attic, where my rolling chair means I can do everything for quilting except ironing. And I last a little bit ironing while balancing on one leg! Who knew the skills I'd learn? -Liz An Unknown God These are the weeks I don't like being a lectionary preacher. Acts 17:22-31...
9 days ago • 4 min read
The Klezmatics Sing Woody Guthrie's Holy Ground | Community Organizing Friends, I have the great pleasure of working for one of students! Lydia, our guest writer today, took my Theology of Ministry in Small Churches and Evangelism for Liberation courses. She is a great collaborator and has supported my ministry of facilitator and workshop leader over the years. And I am excited to now work for her at Episcopal Divinity School. -Liz Moral Courage Today we have the words of The Very Rev. Lydia...
13 days ago • 7 min read
Meeting with Liz Theoharris May 5 | Red Letter Christians | Friends, I'm back to work full-swing, but only because my work is to sit at a desk and talk to people! No serious walking yet. It is interesting that my right foot, the one not operated on, also is recovering well--it turns out that all this rest is paying off. -Liz We are God's People There is so much to do that it is easy to get caught up in the doing. The doing is important. And yet so much of church is about being. Being the...
16 days ago • 3 min read
Pete Seeger on the Hudson | Lament with the Earth | Friends, I'm a little late on Earth Day (April 22) but wanted to promote this upcoming Lament with the Earth on April 29. Foot healing progresses well, with a delightful shower this afternoon. -Liz Creation Care The first "protest" I remember attending was earth day in 1970. I don't actually remember it was 1970, I looked up the date of the first event. But it fits, I'd have been 9 years old. My dad said we were going to clean up the earth...
20 days ago • 3 min read
Song: How do we Heal? | Order your copy of When Did We See You? | Friends, As I focus on recovery from surgery, today's post is from my book When Did We See You? A Lenten Exploration of Poverty & Wealth (pages 92-93, Upper Room Books, 20260. This book is designed around Lent but works as a six week study at any time. -Liz Sharing with Others Charitable organizations collect material goods from those with excess and distribute them to those in need. Donors give out of their surplus or buy what...
23 days ago • 3 min read
Amy Grant Song | Christianity Today Article | Friends, I'm having surgery on my left ankle this morning to deal with a torn achilles and bone spurs. Theoretically I'll be able to walk in a week or ten days, should be up and about end of May, but full recovery could be 18 months. I guess patience is a virtue. -Liz Change your town, school, library I recently found the notes from my Ministries of Advocacy and Action course at Brite Divinity School back in 2015 or so. My DMin advisor, Russell...
27 days ago • 3 min read
Andra Moran Song: Table of Love | Braver Angels Workshops | Friends, I head off for surgery to repair my heal and achilles tendon on Friday. Should be 3-5 days that I'll be pretty uncomfortable, and then a long road to recovery. I assuming I'll be dancing at my nephew's July 4 wedding, but full recovery could be 18 months. Your prayers are welcomed! -Liz Seeing Christ as We Share Bread I live in an intentional community--privately owned homes, condo style--with our rules and guidelines for...
30 days ago • 4 min read
Hip Hop Trio Kneecap | Guidelines for Cross cultural dialogue | Friends, Easter leaves me full of hope. Each year I feel its the "real" start of the church year as we imagine the early church, and how we can be church in new ways. Having the opening processional for Easter worship be an adaptation of the opening Hadestown, with Christ the Lord is Risen today interwoven, really helped. Liz Creating and Easter Community Creating community requires finding a way to be with each other. In the...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read