As executive director of the recently renamed Neighbors Together (formerly Tricounty Family Ministries), the Rev. Kara Stewart plans to tackle one of the community’s biggest challenges—ending homelessness. The South Carolina native has experienced what it’s like to struggle on the edge. She’s been there as a child, growing up in poverty a short drive fromContinue reading “Meet Kara Stewart, the new Neighbors Together executive director who has a plan to prevent homelessness | Charleston SC | Charleston Magazine”
Author Archives: Kara Joy Stewart
Remembrance and Repentance
Today is a day of remembrance for the City of Charleston. We take time to honor those who lost their lives on June 17th, 2015 at Mother Emanuel Church. It’s a day to pray for those who continue to grieve their loved ones and for all who were affected by this traumatic event. It’s also,Continue reading “Remembrance and Repentance”
Holding my breath
Life is a rollercoaster these days. Yesterday, I was feeling ambitious and energetic and I actually got the whole house clean. Except the downstairs bathroom. Cleaning 2 bathrooms is my limit. The day before, I had no desire to move from the living room. It was a good thing my laptop was in reach soContinue reading “Holding my breath”
Perseverance
I’ve always been told that as pastors, we preach the sermons we need to hear the most. That was true this Sunday. I’m in the midst of discernment, considering where God is calling me next. And the Scripture readings all lined up to talk about perseverance in pursuing God’s call. Wouldn’t you know. So IContinue reading “Perseverance”
Our Songs – Her Song
My brain has never been more exhausted. And my heart has never been more full. I spent a week as part of the Taizé Community this summer. It’s an ecumenical community in southeastern France, established during World War II to promote peace and reconciliation. The community has welcomed young adults for much of its history,Continue reading “Our Songs – Her Song”
Itineraries and Expectations OR “what I should have told my students before we left”
What do you do when things don’t go as planned? For most of us, it’s easy to take it in stride when a new recipe turns out less than delicious, or when the weather doesn’t cooperate with our outdoor activities. But what if you’ve just traveled thousands of miles, arriving at a Christian community thatContinue reading “Itineraries and Expectations OR “what I should have told my students before we left””
All I need
Last summer I spent 5 weeks living in St.Augustine, FL at Discovery Yoga’s teacher training program. I packed my Subaru Forrester to the hilt with bags of clothes, boxes of books, and a crate of dishes so I could make my own meals. I had my bike on the back of the car and myContinue reading “All I need”
Beyond setting an example
All my life, I’ve been told that Lutherans evangelize (share the Good News of Jesus) by setting a good example. Our lives are supposed to be so compelling that people will notice our peace and love and joy and simply flock to church to get some of that for themselves. In the 80’s, the ELCAContinue reading “Beyond setting an example”
Cloudy with a chance of raga
When I visit Charleston, it feels like coming home. I didn’t grow up there, but I did grow into myself there. My first church was Redeemer Lutheran in West Ashley (that’s across the Ashley River from the peninsula of Charleston) and my first home was in Belle Hall Plantation, across the Cooper River in Mt.Continue reading “Cloudy with a chance of raga”
Dealing with the Hard Stuff: Yoga Teacher Training Week Two
Everything is hard here. Even breathing is hard. That look on my face- it says it all. The concentration. The introspection. The hard work. And all I’m doing is breathing. But it’s not just the new breathing techniques I’m learning, trying to understand their different effects on my body and imagining teaching others to breatheContinue reading “Dealing with the Hard Stuff: Yoga Teacher Training Week Two”
Coming Up for Air 