Kimberley Debus
@kdebus64.bsky.social
Unitarian Universalist minister, performing artist, writer at HoldMyChalice on Substack, contract minister at @cedarhurstuu.bsky.social, woman of Jeopardy!, childless cat lady, speaker of truth, fighter for justice, lover of life.
A bit of a different book recap and projection this year - because it's about to be a very different kind of year.
What's On Your Reading List? 2026
a recap and a projection
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A bit of a different book recap and projection this year - because it's about to be a very different kind of year.
It's Christmas Eve.
YMMV.
YMMV.
Simply Having a [REDACTED] Christmastime
may whatever holiday you have be a blessing
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
It's Christmas Eve.
YMMV.
YMMV.
We're a mess. And it's okay.
It's All Practice
perfection in human relations? don't make me laugh
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
We're a mess. And it's okay.
:::grumble grumble grumble::: Getting sick in mid-December really sucks. Here's an evergreen post to fill the gap while I go back to bed.
Selects: Why all the fuss?
and a word about hope
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:23 PM
:::grumble grumble grumble::: Getting sick in mid-December really sucks. Here's an evergreen post to fill the gap while I go back to bed.
I'm back, thinking about how Decembers sometimes play out in UU congregations.
Bringing Tenderness
getting comfortable with Jesus in the room
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I'm back, thinking about how Decembers sometimes play out in UU congregations.
Time to pause.
(Also, check out Dropout.)
(Also, check out Dropout.)
A Short Hiatus
wherein I discover there's never a perfect time to take a break
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Time to pause.
(Also, check out Dropout.)
(Also, check out Dropout.)
A story about weaponized miscomprehension. (Sigh.)
Unwilling to Understand
and the silent chaos that ensues
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A story about weaponized miscomprehension. (Sigh.)
I love this project and its offerings. (I'm also quite fond of my colleague Sean Neil-Barron, whose words I get to once again share with you.)
When Sacred Words Get Passed Hand to Hand
A new book filling a deep need
holdmychalice.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I love this project and its offerings. (I'm also quite fond of my colleague Sean Neil-Barron, whose words I get to once again share with you.)
Reposted by Kimberley Debus
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
October 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
Sharing is caring, and sometimes not sharing is caring too.
Many Windows, Lots of Information
how we know what we know - or don't
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Sharing is caring, and sometimes not sharing is caring too.
Courage, my friends.
It's Okay to Do the Thing
even if it feels risky
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Courage, my friends.
Short stuff ... for decorative gourd season.
Short Stuff #4
Too short for a post of their own, too juicy to ignore
holdmychalice.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Short stuff ... for decorative gourd season.
Seriously. Do not pounce.
Coming Late, Leaving Early
a treatise against pouncing
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Seriously. Do not pounce.
Oh hey - I was at my chapter meeting this morning, so I'm just getting around to sharing this HMC Selects.
Selects: Meeting Halfway
where do you think inspiration comes from?
holdmychalice.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Oh hey - I was at my chapter meeting this morning, so I'm just getting around to sharing this HMC Selects.
Putting our faith into action... because everyone is worthy.
(image from the Worthy Now ministry website)
(image from the Worthy Now ministry website)
Everyone Is Worthy
no exceptions
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Putting our faith into action... because everyone is worthy.
(image from the Worthy Now ministry website)
(image from the Worthy Now ministry website)
Lifting up some great writing from Sean Neil-Barron while I recover from ridiculously painful oral surgery. (I'd lift Sean's writing up anyway, because it's that good.)
You Should Read This
or, What a Writer Does when Oral Surgery Goes Awry
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Lifting up some great writing from Sean Neil-Barron while I recover from ridiculously painful oral surgery. (I'd lift Sean's writing up anyway, because it's that good.)
It's about capacity.
Limited Capacity
yes, in fact, everything is harder
open.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
It's about capacity.
You can dance if you want to…but this ain’t no disco.
Doing the Hustle
we've been here the whole time
open.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
You can dance if you want to…but this ain’t no disco.
Despite what the cover photo may imply, this is not a commentary on the federal government right now. Although...
Fake Jobs
and the problems they cause
open.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Despite what the cover photo may imply, this is not a commentary on the federal government right now. Although...
Where do you get your inspiration for Hold My Chalice posts, Kimberley? Oh… Lots of places….
Surprises
we're never done telling the stories
open.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Where do you get your inspiration for Hold My Chalice posts, Kimberley? Oh… Lots of places….
Trust matters.
Starting Off on the Right Foot
staffs and boards work best with trust
open.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Trust matters.
Come sing a song with me...
Breathe, Just Breathe
Singing love might be what saves us
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Come sing a song with me...
Dudes are at it again.
(Also, if you are a subscriber, sorry for my pre-coffee typos. Read this version. I've now had my coffee.)
(Also, if you are a subscriber, sorry for my pre-coffee typos. Read this version. I've now had my coffee.)
No Wonder She's Called a Witch
still not a dude in a dudes' world
open.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Dudes are at it again.
(Also, if you are a subscriber, sorry for my pre-coffee typos. Read this version. I've now had my coffee.)
(Also, if you are a subscriber, sorry for my pre-coffee typos. Read this version. I've now had my coffee.)
A thought on the Johnson amendment filing.
It's a Trap!
We don't actually want this, y'all.
open.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A thought on the Johnson amendment filing.
My colleague Sarah Lenzi said "hold my chalice! I have somethin' to say about congregational polity!" and who am I to say no?
Why are we afraid to ask for help? Congregations Edition
Sharing my soapbox with a wise colleague
open.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 12:32 PM
My colleague Sarah Lenzi said "hold my chalice! I have somethin' to say about congregational polity!" and who am I to say no?