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I see myself as a curious observer to the human experience. I have always found a great deal of satisfaction simply sitting and watching as others engage in life experiences. An observation which always holds truth, is that we as humans tend towards being collectivist or individualist – although we can play in both spaces, we are more comfortable in one over the other. These two frameworks...

Last week, I was sitting in my therapy room with a client who spoke candidly about their habit of over-functioning and their understood lack of performing. I was reminded that in today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to blur the line between functioning and performing – and I have often fallen into the whole of functioning while convincing myself I was performing. While these concepts are often...

I was reminded this past week of a time I never said No – No to attending a meeting, No to attending a conference, No to rearranging my schedule and my own needs to fit the needs of another. This inability to say No had an great impact on me, and not the way I desired – It changed the way others invited me in; It altered the way I operated in my day-t0-day life; It had a profound effect on my...

As we close out another impactful year, it’s incredible to see how far Chrysalis has come since its inception in 2019. What started as a vision during my Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) project has grown into a thriving ministry that continues to make a difference in the lives of clergy across the United States. Rolling Numbers Update Since the first retreat in April 2019, Chrysalis has...

For the past three years, just as the year is ending a new year is on the horizon, my daughter and I have made a trip to the local craft store where we purchase a generous amount of miscellaneous supplies including stickers, markers, poster board, and decorative paper. Before returning to the house, we pick-up Starbucks and some snacks as we prepare to set the stage appropriately for our...

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is a time of profound reflection and anticipation. As we light the fourth candle, our hearts turn to Mary and Elizabeth—two women bound by shared experiences, mutual encouragement, and a deep awareness of God’s presence. Their story, found in Luke 1:39-56, reminds us of the importance of knowing we are not alone, even in the most challenging seasons of life....

I would like to take a moment of personal privilege to say Happy Birthday to all December birthday babies! Being a December birthday gal myself, I recognize that there is something beautifully poetic in celebrating a birthday during this time of year. As a child, this balance of beauty did not come easily for me to recognize, because you see not only do December Birthday’s compete for...

Before worship began this morning, I found myself looking around the sanctuary and thinking, “There is just something about this time of year…” Maybe it’s the decorations – the Chrismon’s on the trees, the Advent Wreath, the nativity placed front and center, or the alter which seems to have been freshly poshed in a manner that is preparing for a special guest to arrive. Perhaps it’s the music...

#GivingTuesday Reflection The season of Advent is here—a time when we light the first candle of the Advent wreath and lean into the promise of hope. This week, we are invited to reflect on the profound intersection of hope and generosity, especially as we participate in the upcoming celebration of #GivingTuesday. Advent teaches us that hope is not passive. It is an active force, born...

So often during the holiday season, I find myself so lost in the call to be with others and to fill their cup, that I forget to find space and time to fill mine. The holiday season is a time filled with joy, traditions, and celebrations—but it can also bring an overwhelming sense of busyness, financial strain, and pressure to meet expectations. Amid the whirlwind of events, gift-giving, and...