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Melissa Earley

Melissa Earley is a United Methodist minister, currently serving as pastor in residence at St. George Episcopal Church in Leadville, Colorado.

Sunday’s Coming

Paul’s ecosystem of love (Romans 12:9-21)

Romans 12 doesn’t give us a to-do list.
In the Lectionary

August 30, Ordinary 22A (Exodus 3:1–15)

For anger to fuel hope, it needs to be a fire that burns but doesn’t consume.
Sunday’s Coming

Saved for a purpose (Exodus 1:8-2:10)

The church’s job is to care for souls and bodies alike.
Sunday’s Coming

Once estranged (Psalm 133)

The psalmist compares unity to dew.
In the Lectionary

August 23, Ordinary 21A (Romans 12:1–8)

I wish Paul also exhorted us not to think too poorly of ourselves.
In the Lectionary

August 16, Ordinary 20A (Genesis 45:1–15)

Joseph’s actions and emotions seem to be a muddled mess of revenge and grief.
Sunday’s Coming

Who could change the story? (John 18:1-19:42)

No one is solely responsible. No one is innocent.
Sunday’s Coming

Troubling the social order (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)

Jesus seems to encourage a kind of musical chairs, no one staying put for very long.
In the Lectionary

April 7, Good Friday (John 18:1-19:42)

Evil uses people’s anxieties, fears, and prejudices to twist good intentions into cruel deeds.
In the Lectionary

April 6, Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)

Would Peter resist having his feet washed by another disciple?

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Sunday’s Coming

Local flavor (Easter 5B) (John 15:1-8)

Some people can tell where wine or coffee is from just by tasting it.
In the Lectionary

May 9, Easter 6B (John 15:9–17)

What would the insurance-mandated boundary trainings that I’ve attended make of Jesus’ intimacy with his disciples?
In the Lectionary

May 2, Easter 5B (John 15:1–8)

The vine branch doesn’t put “make grapes” on its to-do list. It just makes them.
Books

Would we recognize a modern-day messiah?

Sean Gandert’s novel asks us to decide if a man is a saint or a sham.
Sunday’s Coming

Losing and being lost (Luke 15:1-10)

It's complicated to lose things.
Sunday’s Coming

Did Jesus really say that? (Luke 14:25-33)

Surely he didn't mean I have to give up my books.

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