Author Archives: Joan

Early in the morning on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James set out toward the garden where they had seen Jesus’ body placed.  When they entered the garden, they saw to their … Continue reading →

It was the Sabbath in Jerusalem.  Normally a very quiet day and today was no different, except there were whispers.  Jesus had been confirmed dead with a spear thrust, and his body taken down from the cross.  The body was … Continue reading →

Jesus and his disciples loved this garden.  It was a safe comfortable place with deep grass and a light breeze.  It was dark, and they settled into the quiet, some even falling asleep.  Jesus tapped Peter, James and John, and … Continue reading →

Music is the inspiration of the Spirit.It allows us to celebrate with joy,singing, dancing, like Miriam with her tambourine.It groans forth from the depths of our beingwhen we grieve our losses.It gets our bodies moving in exercise, and marches with the … Continue reading →

March 25th, nine months before December 25th, the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.Yes, God is with us.  We see Jesus, working through others, is with us.  During this time of the coronavirus, we have gratitude and ask blessings upon: the nurses, … Continue reading →

We had a pumpkin for Halloween, and when the season was over, we cooked, mashed and froze the pumpkin for future desserts.  As I was cooking pumpkin custard this morning, I thought about our global community and how we support one … Continue reading →

Dear Friends, Yesterday as I sat at our dining room table gazing across the pond, I had an experience very similar to something our daughter wrote in her e-mail to us today:   This morning I had to get up early … Continue reading →

This Lent, O God,enlighten my mind so as to know your Word,let me see and appreciate beauty, mystery and diversity that is around me,let me hear the voice of the poor,fill my heart with compassion,let me wrap my arms around … Continue reading →

Allen and Sue is a novel-length story written in collaboration with my husband, John, as an extension of our ministry. It is our hope that this story will be of interest to those who have experienced PTSD, suffered domestic violence, struggled … Continue reading →

These weeks, days and hours have been filled with xenophobia, hatred and violence. Christ have mercy on us. To God’s People at Tree of Life Synagogue, and to the people of Pittsburgh, Shalom. We are with you in your pain. … Continue reading →