Have you ever tried the spiritual practice of liturgical bread baking? Author, baker, and theologian Kendall Vanderslice joins us on the podcast to discuss her recent book Bake & Pray: Liturgies & Recipes for Baking Bread as a Spiritual Practice. Whether you’ve never baked before or you’ve baked dozens of loaves in your lifetime, Kendall offers a framework for baking a simple loaf and a series of thoughtful prayers to go along with the creative process. Kendall shares her thoughts about the way Scripture informs our baking in a unique way, and she talks about the way she views bread-baking as a political act. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt from our podcast where Kendall offers some thoughts on baking for church communion plus how people who are gluten sensitive respond to this kind of bread.

“I like to think of bread-baking more in terms of liturgy than in terms of recipe. ”

As we think about prayer and liturgy, we’re reminded that St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching on Monday (March 17). Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is merely a day for leprechaunesque pranks, green beer, and shamrocks. We’re reminded of Carrie Bare’s reflection on the spiritually-rich life of Saint Patrick and his awareness of God’s presence. You might also take a moment to pray the Prayer of Saint Patrick and reflect on God’s presence near you. And sure, you might also enjoy wearing something green, just for the joy of it! What kind of invitation are you sensing? There are so many ways to watch for God’s presence — may you be blessed with that awareness and connection this week.

“In considering the gift of God’s presence, everywhere and always, during our Lenten journey we might reflect on our own failure to be attentive to God, even as he is right beside us.”

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A Lenten Prayer Experience. How do you plan to observe Lent this year? There is still time to join us for a gentle rhythm of prayer based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Click through for sign-up information and more details!

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OTHER EVENTS

Faith Formation in the Digital Age. Author and professor Dr. Felicia Wu Song will be teaching a summer seminar on digital technology and spiritual formation at Calvin University, July 21-25, 2025. This seminar will be offered at no cost to selected participants. Space is limited. Application deadline is March 15, 2025.

Four More Things We Loved This Week

1. This week marks five years since the pandemic lockdown, illustrated here by 30 charts that show how Covid changed everything. (NY Times, unlocked)

2. Carmen Imes writes on why we still root for biblical aniheroes. (Christianity Today, unlocked)

3. “My daughter is not the first to see angels in dust motes dancing in a shaft of sunlight. Who else?” Medievalist Grace Hamman shares a spiritual and historical reflection on dust.

4. We can’t let a mention of St. Patrick’s Day go by without recommending Nigella Lawson’s classic Chocolate Guinness Cake.