In the face of the Zika epidemic the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations for individuals at risk of contracting the virus either through mosquito bites or through sexual contact with an infected person. If someone has traveled to an area where Zika is present, the WHO recommends abstinence or consistent condom use for at Read More
faith communities
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
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
Relaxation as a Spiritual Discipline
I have a productivity obsession. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it an addiction, though in describing to a friend how euphoric it feels to check off a bunch of to-dos, he said, “You kind of sound like a junkie.” He may be right. Up until a year ago I didn’t think I had a problem. When I heard experts talk about self-care and meditation and “me” Read More
Lessons Learned in Advocacy and Organizing
Last week I spoke at the United Methodist Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. The event was hosted by the Conference Commission on Religion and Race, the Conference Board of Church & Society, and the Commission on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relationships. I was asked to speak about how to build ecumenical, diverse teams for justice. Here Read More
Welcoming the Cries of a Child
Have you seen this picture? It's been shared over and over again on my Facebook mama groups after going viral on Imgur a week ago. I'm sure there are critics out there, but all of the comments I've seen are full of praise for this professor who comforted a student's crying baby as he continued to lecture. He's been called a "baby whisperer" and Read More
One Good Thing I Learned in Church: Embrace
As a contributor to Talking Taboo: American Women Get Frank about Faith, I had the opportunity to guest post for Erin Lane, co-editor of the anthology, in answering the question: what's one good thing you learned in church? Growing up I never got to be the new kid in class. For some this might sound ideal, but for me it was stifling. I went to Read More