About Rachel

God is in the muck and mire of everyday life with us. But it usually takes some proverbial looking up to know it. One of the Bible writers says to “Set your mind on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” We can learn to open the eyes of our hearts to that spacious place of belonging with him. We are way more beloved than we probably know, and there is more hope for ourselves and the world than we might have imagined.  Looking up is not blind optimism, it is spiritual realism! My hope for this blog is that even when life feels bleak, you will experience God’s sustaining presence.

I’m a pastor in South Philly with Circle of Hope. I also enjoy cooking, being in nature, making music, and laughing at everyday silliness. I am continually amazed at how a contemplative life of prayer and community-building in love is the way to change the world, one little bit at a time, trusting Jesus. The church is a bit of the presence of the future, God-with-us here right now.