The Sunday after Christmas is a Sunday I used to call “Associate Pastor Appreciation Sunday” when I was an associate pastor. It’s a Sunday when many, many associates are preaching. There’s all kinds of beauty on Christmas Eve… a sanctuary full of folks singing carols and lighting candles. There’s music and joy and shiny patent […]
Sometimes Pastors Want to Go Back to Sleep, too… Read More »
As I wrote about a few weeks ago, our smartphones can often deprive us of the ability to live in the present moment. If we want to capture every moment, we’re not able to experience the moment as it unfolds for just us, the audience of one. I think the opposite is also true, as
Smart Phone Spirituality Read More »
Here we are, in the season of advent. See, right there, you know I’m a pastor nerd. For most people, this is “the Holidays” or “the Christmas Season.” For pastors, it’s advent. What’s the difference? Well, advent is a time of waiting and longing for the coming of Christ. It’s actually kind of somber and
I have a friend who said recently something to the effect of “I’m pretty sure one of the only things we need to know to live a spiritual life is how to be thankful.” She’s right, I think. So much flows from gratitude: kindness, respect, love. If we start, first with gratitude, many other things
The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude Read More »
My older son, Clayton, loves to play “Ring Around the Rosie.” It’s the “all fall down” part he loves (of course!) In recent days, I’ve distracted him from many-a-meltdown by saying “Want to play ring around the Rosie?” The answer is always a resounding YES! Today, while I was folding laundry on the other side
Ring Around the Rosie in Real Time… Read More »
Last week, Rev. Frank Schaefer, a United Methodist minister was convicted in his church’s discipline system for officiating at a same-sex wedding. This has become routine in the mainline church. My denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has had several high profile cases like this. When Rev. Schaefer’s case was making headlines, I paid little notice,
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral and Rev. Frank Schaefer Read More »
Since I recently got back in to the blogging game, I’ve been keeping it rather light over here on Traci M. Smith… I’ve talked about Toddler Hotspots in San Antonio, I’ve shared some amazing things my congregation is doing, I’ve shared what I’ve been reading, I’ve even gotten crafty. This post gets into a much
Why I support the #NALT project despite its flaws… Read More »
Things have been so quiet here and over at Mrs. Smith Cooks, that one can actually hear the crickets chirping. Â Here I am to help correct that! I hope that now that my manuscript has been turned in to the publisher, I can spend some of my writing time here and at MSC! Though I
What I’ve Been Reading — Summer 2013 Edition Read More »
Last night a friend from High School posted about some spices she had bought. Since I love to cook, I checked out the site she recommended. The site is something I wouldn’t have found on my own, and it a site I will absolutely be patronizing. The spices are in bulk, they are inexpensive, they
Musings on Social Media Sharing for a Saturday Morning Read More »
Friends, since this blog is relatively new, it’s stil “shaping up” in terms of its content. So far I’ve had a variety of different posts. One of the things I anticipate using this blog for is to get the news out to some local networks about projects/activities that may be of interest to people who
LOCAL: San Antonio – July 4th Fabulous Family Fun Festival! Read More »
