Rev. Knitter

Afternoon in a Minneapolis park: are at a fine dining establishment; listened to the roar of a waterfall and live music; and enjoyed the happiness and giggles of a local Ethiopian church children’s group. And if that’s the sort of “violence” that keeps Stephen Miller from visiting, I’m all for it.

Not only is this insanely insensitive: it’s also a prime example of taking the Lord’s name in vain. Yikes.

In the world of female clergy, we are familiar with this phenomenon: mediocre white men who apply for jobs they’re not qualified for just because. Which is why this made me snort-laugh

Holy Week is feeling pretty heavy to me this year (stories about a leader being targeted by an oppressive government feeling a little too on the nose, etc.) So taking a minute to LoL at this was therapeutic and also spiritually refreshing.

If it ever really gets bad, know that I live minutes from the airport and would be happy to break you out of MSP if necessary.

Going to sleep tonight feeling oddly peaceful (given the state of the world) because the people in my Thursday evening social work class on community organizing give me hope.

Be the cheesehead you want to see in the world.

For those of you who don’t live in Minnesota, Prince was not being metaphorical about that whole “sometimes it snows in April” business. 2 inches and still falling in the Twin Cities tonight.

Memorial service for my college choir director today; ended with a hymn arrangement that's a tone poem describing the saints eternally singing in the presence of the triune God: the idea death means we completely surrounded and held in that beautiful space. "Through the church, the song goes on..."

living with a 13 year old is like living with a 7 year old and a 21 year old who take shifts being your kid

Great review of Disciples of White Jesus from Presbyterian Outlook. My church, Oak Grove Presbyterian in Bloomington, MN, will be the first PCUSA congregation hosting her on April 30! We'd love for you to join us!

Being a student and parent at the same time sometimes looks like: interrupting your work on an essay for your social work ethics class to spend 15 minutes talking to your college student about her essay on section of the Talmud for her Gender and Judaism class.

The denomination I started ministry in is falling apart. This congregation trained me to be a pastor. Though I'm at a point where I advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion over a middle way, they taught me so much about being gracious and making the circle wider. reformedjournal.com/2025/03/22/r...

What Evie Magazine, a ‘Conservative Cosmo,’ Thinks Women Want The Evie reader can work. She can be a mom. It’s her choice. It’s just not feminism.

As someone w theological training and a BA in medieval studies, gotta say this quote is some really f-ed up theology: “The magazine’s name is a riff on the first woman in the Bible: “Eve screwed the world: and this is a new Eve who will save the world.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/s...

I don't know how you're doing, but as for me, the governmental apocalypse we’re living through is stressing me out too much; so today I’m not listening to podcasts about politics and switching to podcasts about menopause instead because, as a perimenopausal woman, that’s somehow more calming.

Not to downplay how disgusting Trump and Vance's behavior is, but the hero of the moment is Zelensky. We're going to need a whole lot more of that kind of bravery to push back against this bullying.

I’ve heard lately that life in the dumpster fire that is America is a marathon, not a sprint.

But, I think relay is better. I’ve just had 5 weeks where a so many folks have carried things for me while I attend to some extended family care.

A relay, friends. And I’m glad we’re doing it together.

There's a Crisis of Masculinity in this country and the only way to solve it is to let me act like a cross between a baby and a movie villain

DOGE Staffer Resigns Over Racist Posts — The Wall Street Journal Employee has links to a deleted social-media account that advocated for racism and eugenics

apple.news/AC23RFmZfSwS...

Young men + radicalization. Might be something we should be paying close attention to at all levels of media and govt.

What hymns are hitting differently?

Mine: “God of Grace and God of Glory” I guess it makes sense that it sounds prescient right now since it was written in 1930 by an author who I suspect was concerned about the rise of fascism.
“Grant us courage, grant us wisdom for the facing of this hour”

What I wore for my first day back at social work school this semester. (Was I perhaps posturing a little bit to let people know which kind of Christian I am? Yes, I’ll totally own it. I was.)

This constant disruption of sweeping executive orders every day since the inauguration is a very calculated move by members of the incoming federal government. Specifically meant to throw the people in the United States into a fear-based trauma response. 1/2

The truth I need this week came from a preschooler at my church, throwing her arms out wide and singing her heart out tonight. “My God is so big!” Amen. God is bigger than everything that gets thrown at us, with arms open wide in welcome. Nothing and no one can separate us from that love.

Why I'm Still Here and why I'm not boycotting Target either

open.substack.com/pub/wendyrob...

you would not believe how quickly the ope insinuates itself into your lexicon. after eight years in minnesota i ope constantly, i ope with abandon, i ope about every minor mishap in my day to day life

Just got a text from my college kid saying that her biology prof told them that it appears panel reviews of NSF grants are on pause. Buh-bye research, academic jobs, and solid education for STEM. Tell me again how this makes America great?

Stupid-evil is so destructive.

Weird realization as I take the train out of Chicago home to St Paul: years of living and working in Chicago and it’s burbs have left me with an odd affection even for the industrial backside of the place. City of Big Shoulders.

My Lyft driver this morning was a delight: we had a great chat about Chicago drivers, toxic positivity in spirituality, and the state of the Social Work profession.

New York Times’ Style Guide Substitutions for “The President Lied” “The president, offering no evidence, insisted upon his version of the story.” “The president extemporized with a blithe disregard for established ...

Unfortunate that this is from 2020 and we still need sature to tell us the truth about the state of things.eys call it a lie when it’s a lie. www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/new...

My big winter knit: the Lumme pullover by Sari Nordlund, turned into a cardigan. Steeking is the coolest and most terrifying thing a knitter can do. Such a great knit: it deserved all the extra fuss of that fancy Norwegian trim over the edges! (gotta love a little hidden beauty like that)