Author Archives: Ruth Harder

For those reading through the entirety of the gospel of Luke during Lent, here are some thoughts on chapter 11. After Jesus leaves the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), he begins (or continues) to get tested, cross-examined, and … Continue reading →

In addition to the reflections I shared in this week’s worship video, I now share some excerpts from a sermon preached by Matt Westbrook at Portland Mennonite Church in 2015. When MLK gave the speech (linked above), it was April … Continue reading →

I’m embarrassed to say that I’m already failing in Lent. I have excuses and justifications, but I won’t bore you, the reader, with the details. Nor will I ask for your opinion on whether or not my excuses are justified … Continue reading →

We all know some version of the rhyme right? Ring-a-round-a-roses,A pocket full of posies,Ashes, ashes!We all fall down. And we’ve all heard the theory that this rhyme is really depicting death and ruin right? Well, given our current pandemic, I … Continue reading →

I’ve started referring to the season of Lent as the Hard–40. It a 40 day sentence (may feel like 40 years to some) of traveling with Jesus as he turns toward Jerusalem and faces the ensuing trial, brutality, trauma, and … Continue reading →

Lately I’ve been doing more video recording than writing and more walking than talking (or typing). So I’ll let my recent snowy walk through Whitmore Playground speak for itself. You can find more videos on our Rainbow YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6aQzyYF0quBZBz1a-OJksg

I interrupt this regularly scheduled program for a short sports reflection.  The transition from high school basketball to collegiate play wasn’t easy. Unlike in high school, I was often the shortest player on the court in college. Sure, I was … Continue reading →

Dear Rainbow friends, members, and attenders: Will you join me in saying, unequivocally, that Black Lives Matter? And will you join me in working so that these aren’t just words spoken, but a commitment lived toward a more anti-racist country … Continue reading →

In 2015 my parents walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. They arrived in Santiago de Compostela the morning of Pentecost after spending nearly thirty days walking-sometimes registering 15-20 miles of walking per day. I asked my parents to reflect … Continue reading →

I’ve been looking for an opportunity to share this funeral reflection titled “Resurrection Realism,” written by my dad Keith Harder. And given that this Sunday’s lectionary reading is about the premier Resurrection Realist Thomas (John 20), this seemed as good as … Continue reading →