Author Archives

A passionate pragmatist and truth teller. Advocate, theologian, spouse, mama.

• The Trouble with Boaz by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on August 15, 2017 • ( 19 )

  

  I’ve always been troubled by the story of Boaz found in the Book of Ruth. While there are plenty of biblical narratives that horrify me–Hagar, Tamar, and other “texts of terror” as Phyllis Trible called them–the story of Boaz is… Read More ›

• The Intersections of Faith and Reproductive Justice by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on July 18, 2017 • ( 8 )

  

  Last week I participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP) on the intersections of faith and reproductive justice. These conversations are critically important, particularly in these political times when threats to our bodily autonomy… Read More ›

• Anti-Muslim Demonstrations Demand Our Response by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on June 20, 2017 • ( 6 )

  

  On June 10th anti-Muslim demonstrations were held in 28 cities across the United States, including one a few miles down the road from me at the North Carolina Capitol grounds in Raleigh. Organized by ACT for America, identified by the… Read More ›

• Finding Peace in the Wait by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on May 16, 2017 • ( 9 )

  

  Have you ever tried to download a number of large files to your computer at the same time? If you’ve purchased a TV series through iTunes or received high-resolution pictures from an important event that you couldn’t wait to view,… Read More ›

• When a Methodist Turns Baptist by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on April 18, 2017 • ( 15 )

  

  Nearly a year ago, almost to the day, I entered the sanctuary of an historic church in downtown Raleigh for the first time. Visiting a new faith community is nearly always at least a slightly uncomfortable social experience. In my… Read More ›

• Coexist or Contradict? How about Resist Instead by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on March 21, 2017 • ( 12 )

  

  While stopped at a red light on my way home one day I noticed that the two cars immediately in front of me had the same “Coexist” bumper sticker. You’ve probably seen one like it. Each of the letters of is a symbol… Read More ›

• Parenting and Politics: How I’m Showing Up by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on February 21, 2017 • ( 6 )

  

  When I was ten weeks pregnant I gave an impassioned speech in front of the Supreme Court during the Hobby Lobby hearings about why universal access to contraception was part of my own religious understanding. I’d wanted to share about… Read More ›

• Encountering Spirit: A Ritual of Blessing for an Abortion Clinic by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on January 17, 2017 • ( 10 )

  

  For the last year I have had the honor of serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). This leadership role often requires great personal and professional sacrifices and yet blesses me… Read More ›

• Making Room for Joy this Advent by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on December 20, 2016 • ( 17 )

  

  Driving around my town in North Carolina, I have come across a handful of houses that had decorated their yards with an empty manger staged in front of an empty cross. This juxtaposition of Christian symbols struck me as peculiar, so I… Read More ›

• A Lament for My Daughter by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on November 15, 2016 • ( 8 )

  

  I wrote this the morning after the Presidential Election. While there will be time for hard work, there must also be space for the sacred work of lament. This is mine.  Last night I dressed you in the Hillary shirt I ordered… Read More ›

• Opting In, Opting Out: Navigating Political Divisions “for the Sake of the World” by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on October 18, 2016 • ( 15 )

  

  Over a year ago I made the decision not to watch–not to consume the vitriol of this political disaster we in the U.S. have created for ourselves. It was a conscious choice in favor of my own self-preservation which I stand by. I had no… Read More ›

• The Restorative Act of the Rite-13 Ritual by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on September 20, 2016 • ( 9 )

  

  I had never heard of the Rite-13 Ritual until I saw it listed on my worship bulletin a few months ago. My first reaction was to become annoyed when I saw the additional program item and to begin to calculate… Read More ›

• Taking Risks to Heal Ourselves and Our World by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on August 16, 2016 • ( 5 )

  

  I was in New York having tea with a colleague whose prominence in our field has risen significantly over the last several years. I confessed half-jokingly that had we not known each other before this happened, we probably would not… Read More ›

• Get Compassion: Reflections on Childbirth and Privilege by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on July 19, 2016 • ( 9 )

  

  Jessi Klein wrote an Op-Ed in last Sunday’s New York Times entitled “Get the Epidural” in which she takes on the arguments for “natural” childbirth and makes an astute point about its premise: “It’s interesting that no one cares very… Read More ›

• What Will the Faith Response to Zika Be? by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on June 21, 2016 • ( 9 )

  

  In the face of the Zika epidemic the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations for individuals at risk of contracting the virus either through mosquito bites or through sexual contact with an infected person. If someone has traveled… Read More ›

• Mixing Work and Faith: Redefining my Relationship with the United Methodist Church by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on May 17, 2016 • ( 14 )

  

  The United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference, the denomination’s legislative body that meets every four years, is currently underway in Portland, Oregon. For self-avowed “MethoNerds” this is a highly anticipated event akin to watching the Olympics. Meanwhile I’m doing my… Read More ›

• From Competition to Collaboration: Reflections on Humility, Self-Promotion, and Gender

  By Katey Zeh on April 19, 2016 • ( 23 )

  

  “Is self-promotion sinful?” Author Marlena Graves asked this question on Christianity Today’s Her.Meneutics blog back in 2010. Reflecting on her experience of having a manuscript rejected by publishers for being a “no name” and not having a big enough platform,… Read More ›

• A Choir for Reproductive Freedom by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on March 15, 2016 • ( 13 )

  

  I was home watching the live stream of those gathered in front of the Supreme Court building to show their opposition to this law that has prevented so many women from accessing the abortion services they need. The speakers, many of them… Read More ›

• Human Beings, Not Wombs in Waiting by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on February 16, 2016 • ( 20 )

  

  Earlier this month the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a new infographic on alcohol consumption with some controversial recommendations for women of childbearing age. In short, if a woman is not on birth control, the CDC recommends that she… Read More ›

• A Renewed Vision of Being by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on January 19, 2016 • ( 11 )

  

  Last Friday I spent the day at a re:New retreat led by author, speaker, and teacher Rosie Molinary. This year brought some big professional changes in my life and since I’ve never been one to make resolutions, I decided that I needed a… Read More ›

• What If Jesus Had Gone to Daycare? by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on December 15, 2015 • ( 11 )

  

  As a maternal health advocate, I cherish the season of Advent as an opportunity to connect a beloved Christian story to the lives of women today who struggle to bring new life into the world under horrific circumstances. Every year… Read More ›

• On Staying and Leaving by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on October 20, 2015 • ( 10 )

  

  The pastor couldn’t have been more than five minutes into his sermon when I starting getting antsy. I leaned over to my husband and whispered, “He needs to be careful with this.” We were visiting a new church, an experience that nearly always… Read More ›

• Relaxation as a Spiritual Discipline by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on September 15, 2015 • ( 16 )

  

  I have a productivity obsession. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it an addiction, though in describing to a friend how euphoric it feels to check off a bunch of to-dos, he said, “You kind of sound like… Read More ›

• Why I’m Not Watching by Katey Zeh

  By Katey Zeh on August 18, 2015 • ( 17 )

  

  I just can’t. The Planned Parenthood sting operation videos. The GOP debates earlier in the month. I can’t bring myself to watch them. I used to jump without hesitation into the thick of the most vitriolic political exchanges and stand my self-righteous ground… Read More ›