tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51394108304539829702012-02-16T19:39:14.587-06:00Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-19135540546054663332011-04-11T13:48:00.003-05:002011-11-10T16:34:25.495-06:00

I've moved my blog to Word Press.  Please check out new posts at prissiesissie.wordpress.com. Hope to see you there soon, Rev. Tracy

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-21358506267699050262011-03-11T15:15:00.000-06:002011-03-11T15:15:44.770-06:00

Currently, we are in the season of Lent, which runs from Ash Wednesday through Easter.  The season of Lent is 40 days long.  It is a time for reflection.  For centuries, it has been a time of instruction for candidates preparing for baptism.  We are called to confess our sins and abstain for self-indulgent behavior.  We fast, pray and practice other spiritual disciplines to discern our need for

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-22308830357656901592011-03-08T14:57:00.000-06:002011-03-08T14:57:34.085-06:00

There are many types of mission trips.  You can invest a day, weeks or months.  Some mission work involves sharing your faith story; other mission work includes listening to others' story.  There's lots of ways to do mission.  I've heard it said, "Sow a seed, do a deed, meet a need."  This phrase might best encapsulate all the ways we do mission.  A few years ago, I went on a learning mission

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-71174826241050645052011-03-01T15:11:00.001-06:002011-03-01T15:14:24.739-06:00

It's still a few weeks before our clocks spring forward one hour allowing us to enjoy more day light. We had a sneek peak at Spring weather. It was warm and sunny and breezy. The snow melted.  I heard a few birds singing.  Kravitz laid on the porch basking in the sun one evening while I swang on the front porch swing reading the day's paper.  It was so nice that I bought a new pair of sandals.

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-87265614312292194302011-02-11T15:08:00.000-06:002011-02-11T15:08:37.097-06:00

Following the example of the successful revolt to overthrow the Tunisian government, Egypt banned together via social media, like Facebook and Twitter, and set to the streets. It was difficult to watch the riots and protests and gunfire and molotov cocktails filling Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt for day after day. Finally after 18 days of protest, the Egyptian people celebrated the resignation of

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-11989025267299213112011-01-31T01:11:00.000-06:002011-01-31T01:11:07.421-06:00

How many times a day to you ask someone, "How are you doing?"  I imagine we ask everyone we encounter that question. We often reply, "Good. Thanks. How are you?" This general greeting pattern is almost as automatic to us as breathing. It doesn't mean it is insincere. It is a greeting and an invitation to a conversation. There are many times that good really isn't good.  Good can better than good

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-81740420284620576822011-01-16T23:20:00.000-06:002011-01-16T23:20:07.227-06:00

Dreams are an important medium of God's revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures.  God revealed Divine truth to Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph through dreams.  In the wilderness, God said to Moses, Aaron & Miriam: "When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams" (Num 12: 6).  The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos,

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-38846007437107512052011-01-06T21:48:00.002-06:002011-01-06T21:58:57.659-06:00

Kravitz doesn't like it when I sit on the couch with my computer to keep up with my friends on Facebook.  He'd prefer I pay attention to him.  Sometimes, he barks at me until I put the computer aside to pet him.  Sometimes, he whines until I close down to play with him.  Other times...well, you see the picture.  He cuddles up right next to me and lays his snout on the keyboard.  As I'm blogging

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-66962957038470522092010-12-28T13:26:00.000-06:002010-12-28T13:26:28.151-06:00

Several months ago, I blogged about vestments (robes and stoles) and paraments (table cloths and pulpit/lectern banners). You might remember that the colors and symbols portray meaning for the day or season of the Church liturgical year. Currently, we are in the Christmastide season, which runs from Christmas through January 5th. The Christmastide season is also called the 12 days of Christmas or

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-8695997867641253032010-12-18T22:38:00.002-06:002010-12-18T22:39:57.984-06:00

I have seen it on bumper stickers. I have heard it from friends. I have seen it in store windows. I have heard it on the radio. I have seen it in it halogen. What is it? Keep Christ in Christmas. My dear friend and colleague Rev. Andrea Brownlee recently blogged about the concern of keeping Christ in Christmas. I gotta give credit where credit is due.  She too had her, “I wish they would stop

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-62007530681739441362010-12-10T16:12:00.000-06:002010-12-10T16:12:28.799-06:00

As the journey through Israel and Palestine continued, we met with Palestinian and Israeli leaders who actively seek a peaceful end to the feud over land rights. My group asked each leader what we could do, as Americans, when we returned to our homes, schools, and churches. What could we do to help there be peace in the Holy Land that people have been staking claim to since, it seems, the

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-44277697593468819602010-12-05T12:59:00.000-06:002010-12-05T12:59:57.575-06:00

In December 2007, I traveled with a group of Christians from around the country to Israel and Palestine. I spent the first night of the trip in Bethlehem. The bus from the airport to our hotel required passing through a checkpoint at the separation barrier, a wall that separates Israeli-occupied Palestine from Israel. The bus driver, Lufti who is an Arab Christian, was accustomed to passing

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-17385012590596444492010-11-28T12:48:00.000-06:002010-11-28T12:48:26.101-06:00

The busyness of the Holiday season has already begun. I have heard tales of shopping at 4:00 am on Black Friday for the early bird specials. Some even started their shopping at 12:01 am on Black Friday for the early, early bird, or perhaps night owl, deals. Tech savvy shoppers ordered their gifts at web sites from the comfort of their own home or office on Cyber Monday. A new shopping day is

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-89646889222154367712010-11-15T22:53:00.001-06:002010-11-15T22:54:50.136-06:00

I recently came across the poem "i carry your heart with me" by e.e. cummings.  The poem reads: i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling) i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-42162824188275469482010-11-06T20:38:00.006-05:002010-11-08T13:57:57.147-06:00

I've been watching some of the debriefing from last week's mid-term election.  Political pundits analyzed the results and comedians, like Jon Stewart, made fun of the whole media circus.  There were speeches from the president responding to the change of leadership in the House, defeated candidates succeeding to the newly elected, the potential new Speaker of the House...  The theme of all of the

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-87165218694230302122010-10-29T16:22:00.001-05:002010-10-29T16:23:11.624-05:00

I belong to Net Flix. I had been holding onto movies for weeks at a time. I have recently gotten back into the habit of watching my movie within a day or two of receiving it. Last week, I watched “The Life of David Gale”. It was not at all what I had expected based on the movie’s description online. It is an ironic story of a man fighting to end the death penalty in Texas; then, he is convicted

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-8894176112420759922010-10-22T11:11:00.000-05:002010-10-22T11:11:17.162-05:00

It may be no surprise to you that I receive devotions via e-mail.  I like to keep up with the latest technology.  At one time, e-mail devotions were the new fad.  I suspect the Twitter devotions are coming - once someone figures out how to proclaim the Good News in 160 characters or less.  Until I join Twitter and receive tweet devotions, my inbox will be where I go for spiritual nourishment. 

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-78798639794224077522010-10-07T14:04:00.002-05:002010-10-07T14:13:59.237-05:00

When someone finds out I am a minister, there are 4 typical responses a person will have: A faithful Christian will joyfully share the story of his/her faith journey with me. We will talk about the Bible and how we have experienced the Living Christ in our lives. An atheist might begin to argue with me about the existence of God and ask, if God is real, why such terrible things happen in the

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-12786460530650593442010-10-02T18:32:00.002-05:002010-10-02T18:43:45.963-05:00

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—over and over announcing your place in the family of things.       --Mary OliverMany years ago, I read a book entitled, “Gung Ho!” by Ken Blanchard. It was a book about leadership which the company who had just hired me suggested all new associates read.

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-73007959966218071392010-09-27T15:19:00.002-05:002010-09-27T21:01:14.055-05:00

I really had a lot of fun playing father Abraham during Sunday’s worship service. As we greeted one another following worship, several of you commented on my beard. Apparently, I don’t look good with a beard. It’s a good thing I made a pact with a friend that she will come and shave my beard if I am ever unable to groom myself. She’s also going to make sure that my gray hairs are colored

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-91681471733041035622010-09-21T21:52:00.006-05:002010-09-21T21:54:34.490-05:00

Sin. There I said it. It's a dirty little three-letter word. We're afraid to say the “S” word too much in the church. We are willing to talk about the things weren't not supposed to do and the things Jesus taught us to do as his disciples. But, don't say the "S" word. You're a sinner! It's okay. I'm a sinner too! That's a tough pill to swallow if we can’t talk about the “S” word. But, we have

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-3786785046990249832010-09-12T00:25:00.001-05:002010-09-12T00:32:50.696-05:00

On Saturday, September 11th, I had the opportunity to attend two memorial services.  The first service was a memorial service for the tragic events of 9/11 honoring the first responders from Montgomery county.  The second service was a service for a congregant. This second service wasn't planned.  The family knew their loved one's health had been failing.  I had the honor of sitting vigil with

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-7066099759772559552010-09-06T21:10:00.000-05:002010-09-06T21:10:48.687-05:00

On the first Sunday of each month, the church does prayer cards.  During worship, we receive a card.  We write our name on the card.  We give the card back.  We receive another card.  Then, on the card is two names – first is a person on the prayer list.  This person is someone who is in the military, in a nursing home or assisted living facility, homebound, or ill.  The church has been asked to

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-34561403079976217982010-08-31T16:08:00.002-05:002010-08-31T21:03:55.539-05:00

Last week, the chestnut tree Anne Frank wrote about in her diary was blown down in a wind storm. She watched the tree (now more than 170 years old) from the attic window of an Amsterdam home throughout the Nazi stronghold of Europe. It was the only thing she could see from the family’s secret annex. Anne wrote about the tree three times in her diary of the 18-month seclusion:  “From my favorite

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-47771196918595943332010-08-21T23:11:00.005-05:002010-08-24T14:59:02.442-05:00

Someone recently asked me why Jay and I wear robes and stoles and what it means. It is a common question and I'd like to share some information with you about why Disciples clergy and other worship participants wear robes and stoles. To begin, robes and stoles are called vestments. The linens on the Table, the pulpit, the lectern, and banners are called paraments. Vestments and paraments share

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-237248275386433742010-08-14T20:11:00.000-05:002010-08-14T20:11:08.993-05:00

I am a news junkie.  I watch the news while I'm getting ready in the morning.  I watch the news while I'm falling asleep at night.  I have news headlines feeding into a scrolling sidebar on my home computer screen.  When I sit down to watch TV, if there is nothing else on, I watch the news. Quite often I'm annoyed by the stories that get an absurd amount of lip service, like Chelsea's wedding,

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-18520088252904766842010-08-07T23:45:00.000-05:002010-08-07T23:45:09.518-05:00

The Tuesday morning Bible study group finished up their study of the book of Judges. The later chapters of Judges includes the story of Samson and Delilah. There have been a couple movies made about the story of Samson and Delilah and we decided to watch 2 of them. We will compare the 2 movies with one another and the Biblical account of the 2 characters. Well into the first Hollywood adaptation

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-17006180881792182412010-07-31T21:19:00.002-05:002010-08-03T13:56:56.795-05:00

I started participating in Angel Food Ministries while I was in seminary.  I needed to do something about the amount of money I was spending at the grocery store and what I was eating.  I went out to eat too much and bought too much processed food at the grocery store.  I don't remember how I first found out about Angel Food Ministries, but I'm glad I did. According to their website (http://

Tracy Siegmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477894756078383049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139410830453982970.post-66614767874161886852010-07-24T17:07:00.001-05:002010-07-24T17:11:19.427-05:00

Last week was the Litchfield Vacation Bible School hosted by Union Ave CC (DOC).  The kids had a Galactic Blast praising God throughout the universe.  Each night, the kids traveled to a different Biblical destination learning God's word connected to an intergalactic body, for example the Sun, the moon, stars, comets, and supernovae. Galileo, the green gorilla, closed each evening with a green tip

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