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Year of the Snake
I celebrated Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, on Wednesday with loved ones. When a snake properly sheds its skin, it does not cause the snake any pain. This is because a natural lubricant forms between the old and new layers, which allows the old to slide off with ease. We, too, are Continue reading
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This Earth, Our Mother
When a mother carries a baby, her body is food, shelter, and life. Even after the child is born, her body remains a source of nourishment and care. As the child grows, they eventually come to understand the vulnerability of their own mother, and this realization brings a shift in their relationship. We come to Continue reading
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The Silent Nature of Blooming
The following is a reflection I gave for a Spring Equinox ceremony in 2024. It was inspired by Joyce Rupp’s poem, Arise and Come, which is at the end of the reflection. When spring unfolds in Portland, it’s hard to ignore the incredible sense of renewal that fills the air. When I go outside, I’m Continue reading
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Choosing A Path Forward
Yesterday was a day of striking contrasts. We remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy – his courage, charisma, and deep commitment to nonviolence. He envisioned a future where humanity would see one another as siblings and live in peace, unity, and with a shared purpose. His dream called us to overcome our Continue reading
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Beholding Creation
The following is a sermon I wrote for a church community on October 6, 2024 for Matthew 4:1-11. Good morning! Thank you for welcoming me back and for inviting me to preach on the weekend of St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day. This week’s theme is “beholding” creation. To “behold” something is to gaze upon Continue reading
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Love is the Heart of the Cosmos
I wrote the following sermon for my friends’ wedding that I officiated on September 13, 2024. As I mentioned earlier, my name is Nichole, and I’m a good friend of Riley and Brooklyn’s. Riley and I met back in 2015 while working in a very small town in Louisiana; he was working for AmeriCorps, and Continue reading
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Mary’s Doula
When I look at the nativity sets that are displayed each year during Advent, I try to imagine the scene beyond the figurines. When Mary and Joseph were told there was no room at the inn, I imagine the innkeeper’s wife stepping in to greet the weary couple. I picture her coming around to Mary’s Continue reading
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