Pastor Amy Starr Redwine, a pastor in Richmond, Virginia, tells a story about a class she took while a student at the seminary. The class was called: Confession and Forgiveness from a Pastoral Perspective. Pastor Redwine wrote that the class was incredibly popular, and the 45 slots filled up as soon as registration opened. On the first … More Drawn into Community
I recently read about an art museum that was having trouble keeping its guests from touching, and damaging, its priceless works of art. The paintings and sculptures that were on display were all becoming dirty and damaged. The museum put out signs that said, “Do not touch!” They strategically placed security guards throughout the displays…they had cameras … More The Problem of the Heart
Mark was a functioning alcoholic who I met when I was doing my student chaplaincy at a treatment center in the Twin Cities. A “functioning alcoholic” is someone who is addicted to alcohol, but is able to maintain, at least for awhile, their jobs, their families and their lives. Their addiction often does great damage in these … More The God who Waits
The new fence went in this past week around the playground at Trinity. It replaces the (quite ugly) temporary, plastic fencing that has been in place since the beginning of the school year. We put the fence in to fulfill a state licensing requirement, needed because the Trinity Nursery School was expanding its hours. We … More The Law of Love
There are moments that stand out…that catch our attention. These are moments that make us pause, look and take it all in. These are moments that change us. I’ve experienced those moments; you have too. Some of mine include: Al Michaels proclaiming that “The Twins have won the World Series” at the end of game … More For Whom the Bell Tolls
A few years ago, I was driving from Thousand Oaks, California, to Los Angeles International Airport for my flight home. It was a 40-mile drive, so I gave myself plenty of time to get there…I thought. It turns out I was using Minnesota standards. I was unaware, at the time, of what Los Angeles traffic … More Grace Upon Grace Upon Grace Upon Grace
There is a line in today’s Gospel story that has caught my attention. Jesus is telling a parable about how someone has polluted a wheat field with weeds. In the story, the farmer’s servants ask if they should go and weed the field. And then the farmer says this interesting thing: “No,” he says, “for … More Be Where Your Feet Are
I recently read an article about a project called StoryCorps. StoryCorps was the brainchild of a man named Dave Isay, who is a documentary film maker. Isay got permission to set up a video booth in Grand Central Station in New York City. People could sit down in this little booth, a video camera would … More From the Rooftops
I am not, by nature, a patient person. I’m not impatient in an “angry” kind way, like getting mad if someone cuts me off on the freeway…that’s not what I’m talking about. No, it’s more the kind of impatience where I don’t like to wait for things. If I decide to do something, I don’t … More In God’s Good Time
Dear Trinity friends, We have made the difficult decision to cancel, postpone or reshape all programming at Trinity through Friday, March 27. This is a bold act of love that aligns us with the best efforts of our larger community, state and nation to ensure the health of all who live here. Here’s what that … More A Trinity Update on the COVID-19 Health Crisis
Test Driving Theology 