Praying compline with my dying dog
During her dog's last night, Katy Shevel turned to the ancient prayer of Compline to offer a sacred goodbye filled with love, grief, and abiding joy.
Katy Shevel is the associate pastor for congregational life at Wayne Presbyterian Church, a vibrant congregation in Wayne, Pennsylvania. She also teaches as an adjunct for the Theology Department at Eastern University. In her spare time, Katy enjoys being a dog mom, writing, and stumbling upon a delightful conversation.
During her dog's last night, Katy Shevel turned to the ancient prayer of Compline to offer a sacred goodbye filled with love, grief, and abiding joy.
A prayer for those facing tough decisions by Katy Shevel.
Ruth stayed. Orpah left. Both were blessed. Choosing the right ending requires courage, faith and grace, writes Katy Shevel.
This prayer by Katy Shevel is for anyone feeling the weight of nostalgia, the ache of loss, or the hope of new beginnings.
Katy Shevel reflects on the challenge and gift of maintaining friendships through adulthood and life's different seasons.
Artificial intelligence reflects our imperfections, but that is not the whole story, writes Katy Shevel.
Katy Shevel's daily ritual of drinking tea provides punctuation and structure to her days — and reminds her that she is held within the broader design of God’s time.
What happens when you are denied forgiveness? Katy Shevel shares her experience and how she is finding a way forward.
After a season of upheaval, Katy Shevel reflects on what it means to reclaim something.
What's the difference between transition and transformation, wonders Katy Shevel?
Katy Shevel briefly explores the historical meaning of Epiphany in the Eastern and Western churches, as well as the use of Star Words in modern Protestant congregations.
When did Advent start? Why decorate with purple? When did the Advent wreath become popular? Katy Shevel answers all these questions and more.
Katy Shevel offers a benediction to use in a Thanksgiving worship service or over your Thanksgiving meal.
Katy Shevel wrestles with Numbers 12 where Miriam is punished by God for questioning Moses.
Rev. Katy Shevel processes her recent divorce through the lens of Ecclesiastes 3. Are we subject to the patterns of life? Or do we have agency in naming our own “seasons”?
Katy Shevel reflects on the lessons she learned in pastoring a small church and the value of these congregations.
A prayer for the transitions of life.
Katy Shevel contemplates Christ's descent into hell on Holy Saturday through the lens of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."
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