sandhyarjha

Righteousness in Complex Times

I have attempted to convert my sermon notes from yesterday into a sermon. By means of explanation, this sermon is part of a series our church is doing on the beatitudes, or the sermon where Jesus lists different groups of people who are blessed, although their lives are hard. We are using an accompanying children’sContinue reading “Righteousness in Complex Times”

Belly dancing v. pole dancing and the “culture of rape”

Prelude: A joke I recently learned: Knock-knock. Who’s there? A feminist. That’s not funny!!! My daily e-mails from Living Social (a company that offers deep discounts on restaurants, goods and activities) often include a great deal on pole dancing lessons. This makes me a little crazy, hard as I try to be a light-heartedContinue reading “Belly dancing v. pole dancing and the “culture of rape””

Longfellow, Belafonte and the dream of peace on earth at Christmas

It is VERY unusual for me to manuscript a sermon these days. Usually, I only do so if the sermon’s going to be translated. My style borders on folksy with occasional gospel-preaching ramp-ups, neither of which is well served by tightly managed wording or the temptation to glance down at the paper on the lectern.Continue reading “Longfellow, Belafonte and the dream of peace on earth at Christmas”

If “What To Expect,” “Traveling Mercies,” and “I and Thou” had a baby: A review of Hopes and Fears

It takes a certain amount of fortitude to read a book on the joys and challenges of parenting when you’re single and childless not by choice. To do so during the holidays takes flat out bravery. So I sat down on a Sunday afternoon, girded by a burrito in the mission district following a holidayContinue reading “If “What To Expect,” “Traveling Mercies,” and “I and Thou” had a baby: A review of Hopes and Fears”

A dead young man + an outpouring of rage = rules to limit public speech at city council meetings? A pastor’s response to city council

You may know the story of Alan Blueford, shot by police for the crime of running away and then falsely framed by his assailant (currently on paid suspension). You may know the story of his family and supporters taking over a city council meeting last night to demand an unredacted report about the shooting.Continue reading “A dead young man + an outpouring of rage = rules to limit public speech at city council meetings? A pastor’s response to city council”

Youtube videos I used at church camp (if you weren’t there, I swear they made more sense at the time)

Last week, I keynoted youth camp at Community of the Great Commission in the Sierras. Several youth wanted links to the videos I used at camp. Providing the links here does not mean I endorse every single word or image–sometimes the video was just used for effect. And I certainly don’t endorse the music ofContinue reading “Youtube videos I used at church camp (if you weren’t there, I swear they made more sense at the time)”

A refelction on the recent health care decision

I was recently asked to write a reflection on the Supreme Court decision about “Obamacare” (or PPACA) for the Young Clergy Women’s Project online journal. Here’s the link in case you’re interested: http://youngclergywomen.org/on-scotus-ppaca-and-other-acronyms/

Seeing God at the Oakland Army Base

There’s a heart, broken in two pieces. Written on it: “Family,” “Community,” “Workers.” And there was a moment on Tuesday, June 12, when those pieces came together—the heart was unbroken, or whole. To me, that was the heart of the faith engagement of the Revive Oakland! campaignfor good jobs at the former Oakland Army Base.

A reflection from election day 2011.

I forgot I had written this piece when I was in a slightly more fatalistic place about my church. I’m posting it mostly because it’s worth letting people know I’m neurotic about honoring church/state separation, that I love voting, that I do still worry about my church, that being bivocational is really hard even thoughContinue reading “A reflection from election day 2011.”

A Holy Week Reflection

This is the week in the Christian calendar when we remember Jesus starting his week on “Palm Sunday” riding into Jerusalem as a form of political protest against the Roman empire’s own procession on the other side of the city who were reminding Israelites that even though they were celebrating Passover, a holy reminder thatContinue reading “A Holy Week Reflection”