Uphill idealist

For the old streets, for the many feet that walk them, for the hands clasped in prayer yesterday and  the hands that join in prayer with and for them now... Gather together, hold each other close, for today is a day where  words fall short... but in support and love we pray and hope for justice. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  Romans 8:26 Charleston - we stand with you.

A few years ago, several art friends and I were part of an art project at Rogers Elementary School that helped say farewell to the school. The usage of the school would be shifting to a place of storage and office space and the students would be moving to other locations for classes. Over the course of a month, each student and staff person was invited to create a painting on canvas cloth to mark their favorite aspects of the school: memories, people, classes, and what they learned in their time there.  The image to the left was my painting. The girl in the image is taking a cutting of the plant that grew there and taking it with her as she continues to "change, move and grow." Over the past three years, I've been in the ongoing process of studying with the Theological Education for Emerging Ministry with Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. This July, I will complete my studies with the program and continue on my journey towards ordained ministry. In going forward in...