Category: MLTS Students

Ali K.C. Bell, a student in Community Studies Signature Course of our MDiv program, offered this reflection to fellow students, faculty, and staff during the MLK service at Meadville Lombard. This was the first of four reflections on Dr. King’s “The Drum Major Instinct” sermon.  In early January, I found a blog post by Kim…

Joe Rettenmaier, a student in Leadership Studies Signature Course of our MDiv program, offered this reflection to fellow students, faculty, and staff during the MLK service at Meadville Lombard. His was the second of four reflections on Dr. King’s “The Drum Major Instinct” sermon.  Rev. Dr. King goes on to say: There comes a time…

Monica Kling-Garcia, a student in Community Studies Signature Course of our MDiv program, offered this reflection to fellow students, faculty, and staff during the MLK service at Meadville Lombard. Hers was the third of four reflections on Dr. King’s “The Drum Major Instinct” sermon.  The sacred words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sermon…

Mariela Perez-Simons, a student in Congregational Studies Signature Course of our MDiv program, offered this reflection to fellow students, faculty, and staff during the MLK service at Meadville Lombard. Hers was the fourth and final reflections on Dr. King’s “The Drum Major Instinct” sermon.  The Drum Major Instinct. I’ve noticed it play out amongst some…

“Get your blessing here! Personal Blessing given to you right now by our Blessing Booth Clergy!” Krystal called out to the passersby at PrideFest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Quizzically they would look over and then be offered a Blessing Menu. “To help the clergy customize a blessing,” she explained.  Most folks look pleasantly astonished as they realized that…

Every time I show up for justice, friends and family inevitably ask: “Why show up? What does it accomplish?” I understand the questions. There is, after all, risk involved. Over the years, I have participated in numerous marches, vigils, and rallies for justice—for farmworker, women, children, immigrant, environmental, disability, and other justice causes. This will…

In these times, it’s difficult for those of us who are people of powerless love to sit and watch the cold triumph of so much loveless power in our world. We are faith leaders who work directly with people in our parishes, congregations, and communities. Our work gives us the gift of bearing witness to…

It was the middle of the night and she wouldn’t stop screaming. The woman was swearing and crying and upset and the nurses couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. Did something hurt? Did she have a bad dream? She couldn’t calm down to answer them. One of them finally suggested that they call…

A Prayer for “Me, Too” By Molly Brewer Spirit of Life and of Love,Holy One that reaches wide to encompass all beings,Hold us to Yourself in this moment.We come to this place carrying so much in our hearts.Around us we hear the laments of a broken world,Torn by fire, storm and strife,Crying, “I too have suffered.I too have been…