Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel considers the following things crucial for her life:
- Good coffee, great yarn, and time for knitting.
- Opportunities to help people of all ages find wholeness through relationship with God, one another, and themselves
- Relationships with people from different cultures, nations, ethnicities, and perspectives
- Beautiful words, books, and turns of phrase
- Her husband, Chuck Pickrel (who makes her laugh for all the right reasons)
- Her daughter (who reminds her that joy and hope are real and present wonders)
- Soulfriends (and video chats that let them see one another)
Lara is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and currently serves as Senior Minister with the good people of Hillcrest Christian Church in Overland Park, KS.
Serendipity Soiree 
Thanks, Sydney!! I’m blessed to be “had” by Hillside!! 🙂
Hi Lara–my mom was raised in the Disciples’ church, but we never lived in a place where there was one. She talked about it a bit — I don’t remember the part about the black jelly beans, though! 😉
I’m pretty sure the black jellybeans are only loved by me (and a few other rare but fabulous souls)!
What tradition did you end up in, since Disciples’ churches weren’t a local option?
Lara, I see you are a contributor to the BL4Y series published by Cokesbury. I teach a high school Sunday School class in a United Methodist Church in Springfield, OH, and have used this series for several years. Several months ago I send a letter (yes, I’m old school) to Jason Sansbury, editor of the series, with the suggestion that he start a Facebook group, or other social media group linking BL4Y writers and users so that we could exchange ideas. It seems to me there could be several benefits from such connections: teachers could let writers know what activities worked and what didn’t; teachers could share with other teachers tactics they used with particular lessons; but most of all, because the lessons are written so far ahead of their use, having an immediate connection to the end-users could allow writers opportunities to communicate about current events; example: “How to talk to youth about events in San Bernadino.” It just seems to me we should be using all available resources in this age of instant communication. Jason did reply to my suggestion, but maybe a nudge from one of his writers might help move him along. Sincerely, JERRY LAUB.
I wanted to praise you for the essay you wrote in “Talking Taboo” and to say the best line was “Exhausting though it may be, I love preaching the gospel.” I’m not a pastor, but I can so relate to that comment as I’m involved with so many people that I “preach” the gospel to.The biases and persecutions you face, when you drive through them, only show that you are a solid pastor and woman for God! Great essay, and I love the way you think and approach life.My encouragement to you is to never give up and let anyone tell you your less than. Slam those Moles, sister! In Christ’s love, Dave Rogg Sr. (Dayton, Ky.)
Thanks, Dave. I needed this word today!