Becoming a Safer Church
Joanne Gallardo
Ideally, many of us would like to think church is one of the safest places one can be. We all know each other, consider one another decent people, and nothing untoward may have happened to us recently, or maybe even ever in a church setting. We’re like a family. We’ve trusted each other with some […]
…and the Glory of the Lord
Joanne Gallardo
We have survived the whole of Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and even New Year’s Day. We sat in the darkness, waiting for the hope in the birth of a baby in a manger, a baby that would give light to nations. We spent time with our families, our friends, our coworkers, and even strangers. So […]
A Black Rook in Rainy Weather
Joanne Gallardo
I don’t particularly like thinking about the end times. For this year in the liturgical season, Advent 1 is apocalyptic. I understand, and yet, I’d rather not. I grew up in a tradition that spoke of the end times most Sundays. I remember a particularly rousing sermon being given by our pastor telling us that […]
The Next Great Adventure
Joanne Gallardo
(Sermon includes Apocryphal text, Wisdom 3:1-9) Last year I preached an All Soul’s day sermon after the actual All Souls day, so I was inclined to do the same this year. Around this time of year, not just because of the liturgical season, people (myself included) start to think about family and loved ones. We […]
An Inconvenient Woman
Joanne Gallardo
Women are terribly inconvenient. Whether you’re looking at an ancient text like the Bible, looking at more recent history, or trying to appoint a Supreme Court nominee, women seem to get in the way. Women bust up our image of heroes when they come forth with truth about their past actions. Women adjust our notions […]
Doors, not Walls
Joanne Gallardo
To be honest, I don’t like this sermon. I see the importance of this series, but I don’t like it. For straight people it’s one thing, but for a person from the LGBTQ community to give a sermon about why they’re for LGBTQ inclusion in the church? Why maybe you should consider LGBTQ inclusion in […]
Joy and Resistance in a Time of Fear
Joanne Gallardo
Given the world we live in today, we often find ourselves in a constant state of fear. Regardless of political affiliation, or non-affiliation, things are happening that make one question their safety, mental well being, and physical well being. Not only one’s own safety, but the safety of children and loved ones. Supreme court decisions, […]
Struggle and Joy
Joanne Gallardo
I have now stated in a sermon 3 times that I am a pessimist. This puts me at a particular disadvantage when tasked with coming up with a sermon about joy. To defend my fellow pessimists, we are not devoid of joy. I laugh a lot, I’m at a good place in life with a […]
Love, Actually
Joanne Gallardo
I’m a part of this online community for people who used to be members of the IFB church, or Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. If you’re unfamiliar with this denomination, there are many resources out there to look them up. There’s a 20/20 special, there’s a documentary called “Born Again,” and there are plenty of articles […]
Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb
Joanne Gallardo
I like to think I’m pretty familiar with the women of the Bible. From Ruth, to Deborah, to Tamar, and even Shiphrah and Puah, I’ve read these stories. I know these stories. I’ve thought a lot about these stories. I like to think that I reference them often. And I know that the Black church […]
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