Authors /
MaryAnn McKibben Dana
MaryAnn McKibben Dana is a Presbyterian minister, a ministry coach, and the author of God, Improv, and the Art of Living.
Emerging from the dark (Luke 17:11-19)
In the West Bank town of Burqin, there is a Roman cistern that is said to have once housed people with leprosy.
October 12, Ordinary 28C (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)
Jeremiah isn’t panicking. He’s incandescent with holy resolve.
Timothy’s tears (2 Timothy 1:1-14)
How did we get from here to “boys don’t cry”?
October 5, Ordinary 27C (Luke 17:5-10)
The spirit is willing, but the inner horticulturist is weak.
A life that matters (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Mark 8:31-38; Lent 2B)
In this week’s readings, God’s covenant-making continues.
Are the heavens still torn apart? (Genesis 9:8–17; Mark 1:9–15; Lent 1B)
From where I'm sitting in 2021, it seems like maybe they are.
When you pray, not if (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; Ash Wednesday)
Mainline Christians have often distorted this passage from Matthew.
February 28, Lent 2B (Mark 8:31–38)
Peter has guts. He reproaches the very one he identifies as anointed.
February 17, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
The distinctions between how we love God, neighbor, and self are not terribly thick.
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What doing improv taught me about scarcity and choice
We went on with four performers instead of 10. It was invigorating.
On social media arguments in the Trump era
Is it worth the time to engage with people who are convinced their version of reality is right?
A movie in your earbuds
The Truth podcast—with actors' voices, music, and sound effects—is a radio drama for today.
When your woman card isn’t working right
My computer science husband sent me this link recently: “I had so many advantages, and I barely made it”: Pinterest engineer on Silicon Valley sexism.
How can an article be so unsurprising, yet so wholly dispiriting at the same time?
The passion hurts
During Holy Week, it's common for worship leaders to ask people to consider their place in the drama of Jesus' final days. To what extent do we betray him, deny him, insult him, crucify him? When do we, like the crowds, find ourselves gawking at suffering with prurient glee? When do we, like the thieves, alternately ridicule the truth, then believe in it? When do we, like the centurion, make our confession--though perhaps a moment too late?
The joy of stuff: Incarnation and the KonMari method
KonMari approaches clutter by asking just one question: "Does this item spark joy?" But this isn't always a simple question.

