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In my romanticized version of spring, I take myself as an urban gardener – not farmer, but agardener. And I say romanticized as it is the warming of the days and in the cooling temperaturesof the evenings that I find myself inspired and joyfully shopping for flowers and plants at thenursery next to my home as I imagine what my urban garden will be in just a few days’ time.The problem...

Last Monday, I had the opportunity to view the eclipse in Dallas, TX with a group of clergyleaders from various parts of the southern region of the United States. The event was met withgreat optimism despite the cloud coverage was predicted to be great, with little chance of a clearview of this celestial event. As is the case with so many unpredictable and uncertaincircumstances, the cloud...

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, particularly in professions demanding emotional andspiritual care like clergy, it’s easy to overlook the critical need for retreat. Yet, statistics on clergyburnout and saturation serve as a stark reminder of the urgency to prioritize self-care and renewalpractices within our spiritual communities.According to a study by the Schaffer Institute,...

Dear Chrysalis Friends,As we find ourselves winding down from the hustle and bustle of our most sacredseasons, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance of finding rest andsolace, even in the busiest of times. It’s during these periods, filled with variousobligations and commitments, that we often forget to pause, breathe, and seek therejuvenation that rest offers.In the...

As we enter into Holy Week, I wanted to share something a little different than past traditionalblog post – I wanted to share something you could actively engage in.This week, I invite you to participate in this interactive approach in experiencing Holy Week thatI hope you find introspective, enlightening, and most of all – hopeful.Welcome to Holy Week –Your Chrysalis Team Exploring...

I remember in my Greek class in seminary a discussion of terms related to what we might call “the end.” Of course the term we used to describe the final conclusion of something was “ultimate.” What came just prior to the ultimate was “penultimate.”  And what was just before that which was just before the ultimate was the...

In January 2020, I defended my dissertation for my Doctorate in Ministry with Claremont School of Theology focusing on sustainable clergy rest and renewal practices. Shortly after my return from defending what felt like a life-long piece of art, a colleague said to me, “Good for you, now you can hang your diploma on your wall and put your dissertation in your bookshelf so both can collect...

I was recently asked about my thoughts on the phrases: “Hurt people, Hurt people” and “Silent people kill churches.” It took me a bit to ponder these thoughts for myself, as I have so often used these phrases as a therapeutic tool in the sacred space found in my therapy room. I don’t know how these two phrases have, or have not, played a role in your lives but I would like you to...

As I was walking down the photo frame aisle trying to pick the perfect frame in which to highlight my daughter’s recent drill team competition photo, I found myself longing for my family to be in one of the frames: a photo frame family! You know the photo frame family I am talking about – it’s the photo that actually comes with the frame you purchase of the perfectly positioned family where...

I recently heard the phrase, Discernment By Nausea and I was immediately drawn to it. Perhaps it is because of the season of Lent that we are entering into or perhaps it is because of the season I have personally found myself in and perhaps it is a little bit of both! The thought behind this phrase is that we often play it safe when it comes to our...