You don't just have a body. You are a body. And bodies matter to God. So much so that God "became flesh" in Christ and lived among us (the "incarnation"). So much so that God raised Christ's body. So much so that when Christ was raised and appeared to the disciples and to Thomas he showed them his scarred body--his hands and his side. Bodies matter to God. And in Christ God embraces and relates to who we are [...]

My heart soared seeing so many faces yesterday. It was Maundy Thursday, and over 40 screens (filled with 70-100 people) gathered via zoom to remember Jesus' last supper, share in communion from our many different rooms and tables, and receive a blessing. If you weren't able to join, I want to share that blessing with you (at the very bottom of this email). I pray these words bless your soul as they have mine. See you (digitally) [...]

by Sheila Sekela Easter is such a time of mixed emotions for me. “He is risen!” What a glorious declaration on this side of the first Easter, huh? But, oh, all that our Lord had to go through to get to the other side of that cross. Jesus’ Passion Week just breaks my heart for Him and for those who loved Him while He was incarnate. To understand the magnitude of our salvation, though, we [...]

I think it's grief. At least that's what I've noticed about myself. I'm grieving. It doesn't feel like the grief I expect when a loved one dies. But it's grief, I'm growing more sure of it every day. I've seen some powerful acknowledgment of this grief. Recently I read a beautiful one by a South Elkhorn Church and choir member and professor at Transylvania University, Jeremy Paden. Maybe you've noticed it, too, even if you have [...]

Week 6 ┃ Sheila Sekela “’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey’” from Matthew 21:5                                                                                                        Do you remember the sweet [...]