I’ve been purging possessions. It began with getting a few items together for the church rummage sale a couple weeks ago and has escalated into bags and bags of stuff heading out the door. For a while now I’ve been startled at all the possessions I’ve accumulated over time. I say ‘startled’ because I’m the … More Letting Go
After the release of my new book in black and white, I received numerous requests for the book to be made available in color as well. So, now it is! If you would like to own a this edition of “Writing With a View of the Graveyard,” please contact me directly: ruthehetland@gmail.com. It is $25. … More Writing With a View of the Graveyard – in color!
I’ve been thinking a lot about rituals these last days especially. Probably because Holy Week is always full of them. Palm Sunday we process in with the palms and say “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Maundy Thursday we have holy communion and the stripping of the altar. Good … More Rituals (an Easter Message)
My new book, “Writing With a View of the Graveyard: Life, Loss, and Unruly Grace” – is now available on Amazon. I’ve been overwhelmed with the response and also with how strange it feels to have this thing I wrote out in the world. It’s exhilarating and scary and great. I’m incredibly grateful for all … More Writing With a View of the Graveyard – the Book!
I’ll post ordering information here soon!
It’s too hard to keep up. The stories of horrific, unchecked violence just keep coming. It was in the middle of the afternoon this time. It was a high school this time. It was a 19 year-old former student doing the shooting this time. It was an AR-15 rifle again this time. This time there … More A Time to Grieve – sermon for 2/18/18
Our sense of smell can bring back memories in such powerful ways. I have what was left of my father’s aftershave when he died. I keep it in my dresser and every now and then when I come across it, I’ll open it and close my eyes and sniff – and I’m instantly brought back … More Mary of Bethany (a Lenten sermon on John 12:1-8)
“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar… “I hardly know, Sir, just at present,” Alice replied rather shyly, “at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” – Lewis Carroll “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” The author, William Bridges, tells a … More Changes
The gospel text says that every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. The festival lasted seven days and included special meals and sacrifices as people how God helped the Children of Israel escape slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the Egyptians before the Pharaoh would release his … More Jesus, age 12
I’ve been thinking about you, Mary. This time of year I tend to think of you a lot – partly because everywhere in this season of short days and long nights we hear about you in our carols and in our scripture readings. In the Lutheran church we don’t tend to spend as much time … More Mary
