Weekly Outlook - Becoming the pastor's wife

Dear readers, The unintentional theme in this week's stories seems to be asking questions — cultivating curiosity, if you will. A small church in rural Arkansas taught me that asking questions of yourself and your community can allow your church to meet vital needs, no matter your size. A California church in a military town taught me that curiosity, and framing, can help a congregation have difficult conversations — like deciding the American flag's placement in worship.  What brings you anxiety in your life? How might things change if you approach that person, fear, conflict or organization with curiosity?  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

The surprising power of small churches by Phillip Blackburn  Cultivating curiosity in Lent by James Calvin Davis Navigating the stars and stripes in the sanctuary by David Dack Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry by Beth Allision Barr, reviewed by Amy Pagliarella In case you missed it... Lessons from Samwise Gamgee, the Constant Gardener Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit who is happy with his garden, still feels the spark of something beyond within him. — Whitney Wilkinson Arreche Seeing Things A poignant poetry collection on memory, loss, and healing, "Seeing Things" explores trauma, family, and resilience. Amy Pagliarella offers a review. Horizons — Intergenerational Justice Rosalind Banbury's eighth reflection on the 2024-2025 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study. Amendment 24-A wins approval from a majority of presbyteries The amendment, approved by the General Assembly last year, adds ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to categories protected from discrimination. — Mike Ferguson Discussion guide for March 2025 issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation. — Donald L. Griggs Making Time: A New Vision for Crafting a Life Beyond Productivity Maria Bowler’s "Making Time" offers a fresh, creative approach to time, moving beyond productivity to embrace presence, curiosity, and the joy of making. — Amy Pagliarella Here’s a look at the various legal battles faith groups are fighting against the Trump administration Since he was inaugurated in January, President Donald Trump has faced virtually constant pushback from faith groups, including in the courts. —  Jack Jenkins

In four sessions, "Badass Women of the Bible" by Katrina Pekich-Bundy challenges readers with the Bible’s witness to the power and persistence of women of faith. While the church has romanticized biblical women as either virgins or whores, the Bible reveals myriad examples of strong, badass women who were determined to stand against dehumanization and oppression. They called on us to do the same.