NEW with @ruthreader.bsky.social: Nearly as many migrants have died in custody so far this year than over the 4 yrs of the Biden admin. ICE is hiring dozens more medical workers, but former insiders are skeptical the deaths will stop w/o more fundamental reforms. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Google docs should list "page numbers" under the "insert" menu, not the "format" menu. That is all.

Some days the only way I can write a sermon is to set a timer for an hour and determine that I will only write, no editing, so I will have at least the vast majority of a sermon to revise at the end of the hour.

Great turnout at No Kings DC today!

Okay so a I have a true little story about how the episcopal church funded the local BPP chapter’s ambulance program and all I’m saying is, Episcopalians: they may surprise you!

What I've learned in an interracial relationship is that Bake Off is a central part of my culture (which I'm behind on bc I'm waiting to watch the latest ep with my bf).

Trying to cycle 50 miles this week. Currently at 25, hope I'm gonna make it!

“One of the chants that has become ubiquitous at these protests at Broadview is, ‘Love your neighbor, love your God, save your soul and quit your job,’” said Black, who pastors at the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago. “Everybody chants that.” ⚓️

NEW: I spoke to clergy and faith leaders who've joined protests at the Chicago-area ICE facility. Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying. All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...

I am writing a FAQ about pledging (in a church context) and I honestly find it delightful! Pledging is extremely confusing and I am here to demystify it! This is a fun job! ⚓

We had a goat in church today (along with gerbils, dogs, and cats) and it was glorious.

This is a rough year to have become a Ravens fan.

What spooky things are you watching/reading/decorating with this year? Is there a good seasonal Netflix show?

@graciemck.bsky.social Love seeing your byline on the latest @51st.news newsletter!

The intersection of my interests episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/09/19/m...

In my church reflection, I'm mentioning how Hildegard's sapphire man always reminded me of Daria. Tell me I'm wrong!

Truly, what is worse than Quantum Health? It is so bad that when Church Pension Group had a Zoom to talk about it (shutting down the chat function but accidentally leaving on the reaction function) the clergy and church staff sent 💩 floating across the screen. ⚓

If you're looking for news on the ground in DC, you can't do better than @51st.news

We made this for dinner last night and it was perfection. Summer in a bowl! cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017...

I rewrote some Chappell Roan lyrics on my bike ride this morning: I'd love if you knew you were on my mind, constant like *tomatoes* in the summertime.

God only knows what I wrote on my college application 20 years ago but I'm pretty sure it would have no bearing whatsoever on me now.

Truly there was steam coming out of my ears as I read this. Could the church have handled this any worse?! ⚓ www.bbc.com/news/article...

"There will be calls for clarity, but those calls will be met with calls for unity. There will be calls for unity, which are often calls for silence. Silence is not neutrality. It is consent. Let us be clear: we do not consent." Incredible piece from Bishop Andy Doyle and theologian Stanley Hauerwas

I tear up every time I've scrolled past this photo. So happy for my home state.

Drink your water!

Bring back landlines! www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

Gary England revolutionized how we communicate about severe weather. I'm not usually one to complain about East Coast media bias, but it's absurd that his death isn't being noted in major publications like @nytimes.com. Here's a profile of him from 2013:

"Stay with news 9, we'll keep you advised." I wonder how many lives Gary England saved. Thousands and thousands I'd guess.

Photos from two faith-led protests a week apart: Moral Mondays with Repairers of the Breach and Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget. ⚓

NEW from me: Faith leaders are ramping up pressure on lawmakers to reject the Republican-led budget bill currently before the U.S. Senate, rallying with lawmakers, meeting Senate staff, and arguing the proposal benefits the ultra-wealthy by hurting the poor. religionnews.com/2025/06/10/f...

⚓

Not sure I’ve ever seen this many visible clergy participate in a single protest outside the Capitol.

I was at the Senate today, joining faith leaders in calling for a moral budget. Our own Bishop Budde spoke on the Senate steps. ⚓

Last night I learned that almost no cars come painted purple anymore. What's up with that? I drove a purple Plymouth Breeze from age 16 to 25. 💜

For Episcopal Clergy: We got an email from CPG asking for our feedback on Quantum health (which I loathe). I hope you'll also take the time to send your feedback to [email protected]. ⚓

Shortly before she was arrested, the group prayed over disability activist Suvya Carrol, who asked God to block the GOP-led budget bill, asking that the Almighty “not let this happen." She asked God that she and others “be free to live, be healthy, well and safe.”

BREAKING: Faith-led Moral Monday protesters — including Rev. William Barber — have once again been arrested while praying in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, this time including several wheelchair users. The group is decrying cuts to healthcare programs in the GOP budget bill.

Today is the feast day of Frances Perkins in the Episcopal church. She is a founding mother of Social Security, unemployment insurance, workplace & fire safety standards & much more. She's an inspiration to me both professionally & personally. 🧵 francesperkinscenter.org/2018/01/17/f...

BREAKING: The Episcopal Church has announced it will end its decades-old partnership with the government to resettle refugees, citing moral opposition to resettling white Afrikaners from South Africa who have been classified as refugees by the Trump admin. religionnews.com/2025/05/12/e...

In the last couple months I've caught up on Shrinking, Severance, Rings of Power, and I'm working on Andor. What other TV should I be watching? (I missed a few things when I was in seminary)

There's something about 5pm that just makes me want to eat something crunchy. It's chip o'clock somewhere?

Full story on the arrest of Rev. William Barber and two others as they prayed in the U.S. Capitol today: “Just as Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers, so we have to be willing to put our bodies on the line,” Barber told me after he was released. religionnews.com/2025/04/28/w...

BREAKING: Police just surrounded Rev. William Barber, prominent activist and pastor, as he and others prayed in the U.S. Capitol Rontunda. Police then expelled everyone (including press!) from the Rotunda to (presumably) arrest them. I've covered protests here a lot. Never seen anything like it.

I fit $92 worth of plants in a bag and biked home with it.

"I used to live in the tomb. It was hours, days, months, in the dark." For Good Friday, I preached on entombment. ⚓ youtu.be/ZCaI-EgVgM8

First Triduum as a priest, let's do this! ⚓

This was the last time they let me help with greening the church

Excited to preach on stones tomorrow!

I thought this was an extraordinarily effective demonstration. But more importantly when considering posting this link, I wondered if it would land me on a list of so-called "terrorist sympathizers" & I resent the hell out of that & I'm posting the link anyway because I believe in the 1st Amendment!

If you're looking for Easter chocolate, let me recommend Bedré, a chocolatier owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation in my home state of Oklahoma. I particularly endorse the chocolate-covered gummi bears and the chocolate-covered potato chips.