Social Justice
Human Beings, Not Wombs in Waiting
The CDC's recommendations on alcohol are well-intended, but I find the frame problematic on many levels. Read More
Silent Night, Holy Night: Reflections on Mother and Child
Advent is a season of expectation, hope, and preparation for the miracle of God’s entry into our world as a vulnerable infant. But do we pause often enough to ponder the birth itself? The nativity stories found in our sacred texts tell us little about it, though what we know is Mary was a relatively young woman, she was pregnant at an unexpected Read More
What If Jesus Had Gone to Daycare?
Coming Soon: Online Course Offering on Advocacy
I love teaching people about how to do advocacy, so this February I'll be partnering with Drew Theological Seminary to offer an three-part webinar series on advocacy for clergy and congregations. Here's the course overview: From food pantries to global missions, faith communities are known for their acts of mercy and charity that benefit their Read More
Let’s Get Frank About Faith and Family Planning
Sex. Religion. Politics. The unholy trinity of impolite conversation, right? So what happens when we talk about all three of the them at the same time? "Let's Get Frank About Faith and Family Planning" is the title of talk I gave at the second annual Triangle Global Health Consortium conference on November 5, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Read More
When God Tells a Woman to Return to Her Abuser
I was invited by Sojourners to contribute to their series "Troubling Texts: Domestic Violence in the Bible." This is my take on Hagar, Sarai, and Abram, inspired by upcoming book Women, Rise Up! on biblical women resisting oppression. Slavery. Forced marriage. Surrogacy without consent. It’s no wonder I never heard the story of Hagar growing up Read More
Congrats, Mom! Now, Back to Work
In light of last night's Presidential debate, which among many topics covered the issue of paid family leave, I'm sharing my recent article in Sojourners magazine on how the church can become a pro-family place by leading in this area. LAST NOVEMBER, when my daughter turned 2 weeks old, I returned to full-time work. Five days after her birth I Read More
Power, Abuse, and the Duggars: Part Three
I didn't set out with the intention of writing a third blog post about the Duggars (see posts one and two), but after the most recent news about Josh's accounts on Ashley Madison, a website for--let's just call it what it is--adultery, I feel compelled to. Just like I have no interest in shaming Bristol Palin for her second pregnancy, I needn't Read More
Is Breast Best or Beast?
August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week with a focus on supporting women who are working and breastfeeding. Learn more at worldbreastfeedingweek.org. Like many aspects of motherhood, breastfeeding is simultaneously put on a pedestal and devalued. On the one hand breastfeeding proponents, more fondly known as "lactivists," can get quite Read More