I have been at my current congregation for 2.5 years. Today after service we had our first official conversation about becoming an official open and affirming congregation for our LGBTQIA2s+ siblings. I left thinking soon there will be 1 more church that publicly stand with the LGBTQIA2s+.

One of the things that continues to make 0 sense to me is the “they aren’t doing enough” mindset, especially when it comes with “well I don’t actually know what they do”. There are a lot of people that do a lot of good and don’t announce everything they do for a cause.

@themerlins.bsky.social

The #blueskyartshow theme is #light. I dyed and painted these shoes for the liturgical season of Advent. Yes the candle and star glow when the lights are turned off.

The world continues to be burning and in order to serve sometimes you gotta take breaks from the news, etc. Tonight I am watching my favorite professional wrestling event, The Royal Rumble!

Just because others have bought a house, have a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, etc), etc doesn’t mean you are “behind”. Take your time and be on your time. Judging your progress against others is a motivation killer.

I am making a playlist of songs to play when I have righteous anger and want to burn it all (the system, institutions, the patriarchy, etc) down to the ground. I am open to all suggestions of songs to add.

This coming Saturday is the Royal Rumble. So I am watching pervious rumbles to distract from the happenings of the world. This also confirms why the Royal Rumble is my favorite match and “pay per view” aka “premium live event”.

I serve a smaller congregation. The last few weeks we have raised funds to help local elementary schools buy toilet paper. 72 people have raised enough for 1 pallet! It is both exciting that we could do this and irritating we had to do this. Anyone wanna help with a 2nd pallet?

In addition to being a husband, father, and pastor, I am an artist. It has taken a few years for me to claim that description. This is the most recent piece I created and first hand lettering piece I have done.

As a pastor I can say that the church is not perfect. We often get things wrong. Yet there are times we get things right. So glad to be part of a synod and denomination that tries to a place for all people.

www.gcsynod.org/news/beyond-...

Since this is a relatively new place for many of us, I wanna take a minute to recommend that all of us in creative fields try a little harder to use it to support each other’s works. I tried on other platforms and I felt like only a smattering of friends really did the same.

I watched the sermon from yesterday’s Prayer Service. The bishop was bold and courageous. She preached the gospel of Jesus and not of Caesar. That being said if he thought her even-keeled sermon was delivered in a “nasty tone”, then I should probably go ahead and get my bags packed.

There's something needs to be said
And it's important
You don't need to be gay to stick up for your gay friends
You don't need to be trans to stick up for your trans friends
You don't need to be Jewish or muslim or Hindu or black or white
You only need to be good people
To stick up for your friends

Anyone else window shopping for their anarchy/protest wardrobe? Just me? Ok, good to know.