Monday Meditation: A New Look at Psalm 23

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney At least once a month, I lead a Spirituality in Recovery group focused on Psalm 23, perhaps the most famous of the 150 psalms included in Scripture. This psalm is frequently read aloud at funeral services because of this line: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow […]

Monday Meditation: The Beatitudes

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney When Jesus sat down on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee to deliver what would come to be known as “The Sermon on the Mount,” I imagine that the women and men and children who gathered around him leaned forward, straining to hear his provocative words. The opening […]

Monday Meditation: “The Hill We Climb”

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney I can’t get her words out of mind. Last Wednesday, 22-year-old Amanda Gorman burst into the world’s collective consciousness as she recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Gorman began and ended her poem with references to light. In the opening line […]

When I Grow Up

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney    During the pandemic, my extended family has gathered weekly via Zoom to stay in touch. With participants ranging in age from 7 months to 81 years, these experiences have been memorable and life-giving for us. One feature of these virtual gatherings is a trivia game, and if a […]

Spread the Word

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news […]

Monday Meditation: Fourth Week of Advent

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney The week of Christmas has arrived. As the days of Advent dwindle, our thoughts turn to love – the final theological theme of this holy season of spiritual preparation. “Love” is a word we use frequently in conversation, but often in a way that diminishes its meaning. For instance, […]

Monday Meditation: Third Week of Advent

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney Yesterday morning, I lit the rose-colored candle in our Advent wreath as my husband and I worshiped via Zoom – the candle of joy. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday – the Latin word gaudete means “rejoice.” In many churches, these words from Philippians 4:4-6 […]

Monday Meditation: The Second Sunday of Advent

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney As I child, I remember learning the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let […]

How Food Feeds the Mind

– Written by Rebekah Miller, RDN, LDN at HBC Nutrition The Gut-Brain Connection Food not only nourishes the body, it feeds the mind. Glucose from the foods we eat acts as energy to keep the brain active and engaged. Fat from our diet helps to build the brain, which itself is 60% fat. Anyone who […]

Monday Meditation: Tending the Soil

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney Are you familiar with Jesus’ parable of the sower? A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up […]

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