It's Monday, !

I just returned home after being away most of January. I took a lovely vacation with my daughter and my mother-in-law. We traveled to Hawaii, a beautiful place that I truly love. It was the only state of the United States where my mother-in-law had not yet traveled. So in her 80th year she got to experience her 50th state. We made memories I will treasure for the rest of my life! 

After our vacation, I had more travel for preaching, retreat leading, and more family care. Since I’ve taken a break in January from creating new episodes of Three Minute Ministry Mentor (3MMM), I decided it might be a good time to introduce myself to you. I probably don’t do that quite often enough, and we have so many new followers every week and every month. So here goes…

In this episode I share about my work, my vocation, and how I spend my time. I'm answering questions I get all the time! 

You'll also find last week's sermon that I preached in South Carolina about Jesus in Capernaum. I share stories of how Jesus, Martha Stearns Marshall and other Baptist women navigate pastoral authority in their vocations.  

Preaching at Providence Church on Daniel Island, SC

In case you missed it last week, I also want to share with you my latest piece in the Presbyterian Outlook. Editor Teri Ott asked me to write about what it is like to pastor purple churches. I've talked to many pastors in my research that do just that. So I composed an article that explores the grief that all churches are facing right now, blue, red or purple. 

"As the United States embarks on a presidential election year, churches and their leaders face the reality of congregational life in both a charged political climate and a new era of ministry. National and local power struggles are fostering more polarization through the election cycle. And this year those tensions will continue creeping into congregational life, bringing stress to church relationships and consuming relational energies." 

Not only is the challenge to pay attention to grief, but also to help our congregations and faith groups find their way in the new era of ministry. We wrote a new curriculum to help you lead these important questions in your congregation. We hope you will give it a try in your Sunday School, small group, or mid-week gathering. 

What does your congregation need to talk about right now? We think this new three-session curriculum will help you surface the important questions and ideas for our time, and host conversations that will help you find your way.

We are excited to share the Finding Our Way Study. The study was written by Erin Robinson Hall and features short video clips by pastors and faith leaders who know what you have been through since 2020. The study materials include: 

• 3 sessions with engaging activities and interactive lessons
• Reflection prompts and prayer guides 
• A set of cards 
• Video links and a slide deck for each session
• Adaptations for Virtual sessions

Give it a try right now, and you'll also get a bonus of two free downloads to support ministers in your congregation as they navigate a new era of ministry. 

Right now the Study Guide is just $15. We want to support you in leading the conversations. Why not explore the materials and imagine how they spark much-needed conversations in your faith group? 

Will you join us at The Writing Table in 2024?

How are your writing goals for 2024? The Writing Table is ready for you will bring. Have a look! 

Maybe you are wishing for an in-person writing retreat! We have one on in the works. Take a look and see if it will meet your needs!

We notice what you are doing, . We think it is important. We hope that you will have the space you need to attend to griefs and lean into pastoral imagination. You inspire us. 

Blessings as you find your way! 
Eileen