The quiet of having adult children home, nestled in their rooms, feels different than an empty-nested house. My dining room table is ringed with silent figurines of carolers, mouths open mid-song, and crowded with post-it labeled gifts. I am indulging my dislike of shopping by searching my shelves for items to wrap for family members
Read MoreAs the hyper-responsible oldest girl in my family, eager to please parents and teachers, growing up as a good American Christian, I said yes to responsibilities. Lead a Bible study- yes. Prayer group at noon- yes. Leadership team- yes. In our society, responses to requests to take on tasks are often gendered. Women tend to
Read MoreFor me, the beauty and challenge of Advent is experiencing hope and waiting together, in community. So I listen for the voices that call me to contemplate the promise anew. Sharon Chubbuck speaks warmth and wisdom in ways that I can hear and embrace. May her words bless you and welcome you this Advent. -Renée “Oh, Little
Read MoreAdvent is the season of hope, expectant waiting, which is always a choice of faith in these darkening days. Sometimes our Advent theme comes early. Someone suggests a song, an image, a phrase to focus our minds and hearts. This year I was kept waiting, such that some wondered if Advent would even happen, since
Read MoreThe Interfaith Grateful Gathering has become a treasured Thanksgiving tradition, and I was humbled and honored to contribute a prayer this year at Bethel AME. The mood was joyful as we joined in gratitude to be together and give thanks to our Creator. I chose Suellen Shay’s poem Boundless generosity to express praise and articulate
Read MoreI woke up Monday morning and decided to drive to Chicago. I wanted to see my oldest (adult) kid; it had been too long since we were together in person. Spontaneity is a muscle that weakens without regular exercise. Could I just decide and do it? Check the calendar, water the plants, fill the gas
Read MoreDrummer, lead singer, guitarist, and new friend James Bean will be re-baptized at NCF on November 20. His story is an inspiration and testament to God’s stubborn love for us. If you or someone you know would like to publicly choose to follow Jesus’s way through baptism at this time, please let me know! Meanwhile,
Read MoreAs we continue to learn, we lean on Jesus’ example in scripture of how to see with eyes of love, especially the marginalized and disempowered of our society. Jeff Trask shares his perspective to give us another point of view. May we grow in love to be more like God, as Jesus modeled for us. -Renée
Read MoreNew Covenant Fellowship has been richly blessed by members of our community with disabilities. We are grateful for God’s work through their presence and contributions to our body. -Renée In October, our Nation observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We commemorate the many contributions of individuals with disabilities to America’s Places of Worship, Workplaces and Economy.
Read MoreSome of us are one rent payment away from eviction. Some of us are receiving Illinois property tax rebates. Some of us are selecting Medicare supplemental insurance, while others are opening their child’s first savings account. “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. He said to himself, What will I do? I have
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