Our longing to be understood
Teri McDowell Ott reflects on Leslie Jamison's “The Empathy Exams” to show that real empathy isn’t about fixing pain, but choosing to truly see and understand it.
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A prayer after the killing of Alex Pretti
May God teach us how to grieve honestly, protect one another fiercely, and choose life. A prayer by Teri McDowell Ott.
Your light was made to shine
Small churches aren’t inadequate, writes Teri McDowell Ott. When congregations trust their God-given gifts, they rediscover confidence and shine as Christ’s light.
Order of worship — January 25, 2026
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
Third Sunday after the Epiphany — January 25, 2026
Teri McDowell Ott explores what it means to love, release, and trust God with the futures we cannot control.
Praying around a bullet hole
Teri McDowell Ott offers a prayer of lament after the Minneapolis ICE shooting, naming grief, honoring the life lost and calling the church to witness, healing and hope.
A prayer for Advent: Because Christ has come
Teri McDowell Ott invites us to rest in Christ’s tender and healing presence in a weary world. Through Jesus, nothing lies beyond redemption.
Good news for all the people
As social media amplifies anger, Advent invites us to practice faithful communication — words that add value, meaning and peace, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
Order of worship — November 30, 2025
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
First Sunday of Advent — November 30, 2025
Advent isn’t just waiting for what’s coming — it’s seeing what’s already holy now. Teri McDowell Ott invites readers to slow down, notice, and stay awake to God’s presence.
Music that meets us where we are
From gym anthems to humming hymns in a new church pew — music grounds us, lifts us, and reminds us we never sing alone, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
From captivity to hope: A prayer for Israelis, Palestinians and lasting peace
Teri McDowell Ott offers a prayer of gratitude for released Israeli and Palestinian hostages that pleads for ceasefire, healing and lasting peace.
Order of worship — October 26, 2025
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost — October 26, 2025
True worship requires more than showing up — it asks for humility, honesty and openness to God’s transforming grace, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
Why theological education matters
As seminaries and religious studies programs shrink, the responsibility to nurture theological imagination is shifting to our congregations. Are our churches ready, asks Teri McDowell Ott?
A prayer for all who suffer in the wake of October 7
For October 7’s anniversary, Teri McDowell Ott offers a collect to grieve, remember, and pray for peace, justice, and healing in the ongoing conflict.
A prayer against violence
"Teach us a better way, a holy imagination of justice, mercy and reconciliation," writes Teri McDowell Ott.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost — September 21, 2025
Luke 16:1–13 is one of Scripture’s toughest parables. Why would Jesus praise a dishonest manager—and what does it mean for our faith? Teri McDowell Ott reflects.
Order of worship — September 21, 2025
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
The seeds we scatter
Ministry isn’t about perfection but planting small seeds of care, faith, and presence, writes Teri McDowell Ott. God will bring unexpected growth over time.
Litany and prayer after the Minneapolis shooting
Teri McDowell Ott offers a litany of lament and intercession after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
The Outlook staff will be off August 4-8 for sabbath
Outlook Editor Teri McDowell Ott shares why the Outlook plans to close for a week — and where you can find the worship resources you still need.
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost — August 10, 2025
When the future feels uncertain, God invites us to look up, writes Teri McDowell Ott. Beneath a sky full of promises, faith finds its next step.
Order of worship — August 10, 2025
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
O God, be near: A Lament after the flood
A heartfelt prayer for communities devastated by sudden floods, asking God to comfort the grieving, strengthen first responders, and sustain all who rebuild.