Hi! Thanks for visiting my site. I’m a minister and a writer, currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Walnut United Methodist Church and the author of Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving (Convergent Books, 2005).

I’m here to equip you with simple and practical tools for your soul-care, something that’s rarely discussed yet essential for the joy and peace we all long to have.

My own relationship with God has been influenced heavily by contemplative spirituality, which inspires much of my work. I’m a graduate of Yale Divinity School, where I was a Marquand Scholar, and where I also met my husband with whom I now share the delight and chaos of raising two kids.

When I’m not in the flow of pastoring, writing or parenting, here are some of my favorite activities: hiking, exploring my town on foot, wandering in bookstores on rainy days, hanging out with family and friends, and dinner parties (oh yes, dinner parties. A backyard bbq will do. Can you tell I love food and community?).

Stay apprised of my writing and programs by subscribing at the bottom of this page. I look forward to connecting with you!

ESSAYS, TALKS, INTERVIEWS & PRESS

Some of My Writing Online: “The Household Chores You’re Avoiding Are Key to a Deeper Life” (The New York Times), “A Counter-Cultural Resolution for More Joy in 2024: Move Down In the World, Not Up” (The Claremont Courier), “The Aspects of Manifestation We Shouldn’t Discount” (The Atlantic), “Staying in a Culture of Leaving” (The Christian Century), “What Do 90-Somethings Regret Most?” (Medium), “A Brief Primer on Progressive Christianity” (Medium)

Interviews: Cup of Jo, The Today Show, NBC 7 San Diego

Podcast Interviews: Bad at Keeping Secrets, Meg’s Reading Room, Immigrantly, When Women Preach, The RobCast, Parenting In a Pandemic

Feature Talks: “The Point is Joy” (2019 LEAD Talk for Church Leaders)