The Best Parts of My Week

Highlights from your favorite bivocational pastor

1. One of my church pianists wrote a song for our little congregation. She had sent me some little draft sound clips. But I was unprepared for when I saw a printed copy of the song and she included a dedication specifically to me as well as the congregation. My heart grew three sizes.

2. A favorite piano student is also beginning his journey of writing music. His joy at making something that is his alone is contagious.

3. My nephew (with help from his mom) called me to invite me to go to the library with him. A request impossible to refuse.

4. I had delicious vegetarian tacos this week.

5. When I had to take my car to the shop my spouse came along and we went on a nice walk in the park and spent too much on summer Starbucks drinks. We were in the same area where we used to live and it was a lovely time to reminisce about former homes but also the life we’re creating together.

6. I had ice cream cake as part of an early birthday celebration.

7. I read two very different books, one a queer romance centering around a baking competition and one dark fantasy about being a vampire. I loved both.

8. I got to preach on a weird scripture (Ezekiel 40) and I always enjoy the research and creativity that comes from being off lectionary.

9. On my day off I spent lots of time playing a little puzzle video game, Potion Craft. It’s strategic without being overly complex. It was fun and extra good to feel affirmed in taking a day to just be and play.

I could list more, but even this mini practice of reflection reminds me of what sustains me—finding joy in so many places. It’s been a rough couple weeks and I started to write several times over the opposite of this. Mainly I was creating lists of grievances. But I’m glad this is where I landed. (Maybe you’ll join me by sharing some of your week highlights in the comments?) Praise for the multiplicity, praise for living complex lives.

Recipe of the week

Is there anything better in this world than buffalo chicken dip? It is the perfect use for the underutilized canned chicken, but also just epitomizes midwestern joy to me. In related news, two of my siblings discovered this week that they had made another midwestern classic, pretzel salad¹ to take to share with others. However, as it happens, you take pretzel salad to people and they eat it all. So! Both of my siblings, independently of one another, made not one, but two pretzel salads because they couldn’t bear to not have any leftovers for themselves. This is all you need to know about the character of my family. In summary: make buffalo chicken dip and pretzel salad, but make extra.

See you at General Synod!

This week I will be attending the United Church of Christ’s General Synod—and I know some of you will be there, too! If you want to say hi let me know. And also pray for me as my introvert self has printed out business cards for this little newsletter and have a goal to give them all away. To strangers. That I have to talk to.

What life looks like

That’s my husband Josh running the most beautiful hybrid meeting setup for our congregation—offering hospitality and accessibility to all

1. Salad is a loose term here.