Welcome to this space where I explore the theology of place.
Jerusalem Jackson Greer really is my name, but I cannot take any credit for it. The first part is from my mother, Tanya Beverly Jackson, her whimsical ways, and the line of oddly name women we descend from. The second part is from my father, Johnny Joe Jackson Jr, and together we come from a family full of preachers. The final bit comes from my husband Nathaniel Wayne Greer, whom I choose, and whose name I choose to throw in with all the rest for good measure. Like my name, I am made up of many different parts- some by birth, some by choice, none of which happened in a vacuum,- all part of my story.
Professionally I am an author, a member of Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church’s staff, a preacher, teacher, and speaker. Ministry is in my blood and my soul, I love both church work and the Work of the Church. For press/media interviews, please visit this page.
I like to host large gatherings, sleep under heavy blankets, talk to chickens, heal goats, re-arrange the furniture, take road trips with my boys, and read until I fall asleep book in hand. I am addicted to British and Nordic mysteries, prefer singing with a twang at the top of my lungs, and have a strong affection for coffee and Cosmos (not together, however.)
I am part southern gal, part pilgrim.
I am a liturgical convert.
I love Jesus.
I trust the Holy Spirit.
My vocation lies in living, exploring, and sharing about the Christian theology of place and the Good News of belonging through gathering, agrarian, liturgical and formation ministries.
I believe that Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love does not dishonor others. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.I believe that anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is selling something.
This little online space is the ultimate catch-all of my life. Part family scrapbook, part diary, part to-do list, part recipe box, part coffee chat, part gallery, part shitty-first-drafts, part confessional, part garden journal.
It is a record of my beautimess attempts at living a sacramental baptized life – a life that is filled with the finding, the celebrating, and the looking for all the visible outward signs of inward spiritual graces – especially in the garden or around the table.
Dinner parties filled with redemption, garden patches planted with hope, thrifted furniture rescued, mothering mistakes soaked in grace, Good News, and liturgical shenanigans. All these things make up an expression of place – an expression firmly rooted in the goodness of God.
These are the things I blog about, will keep blogging about as long as a I can – imperfectly, erratically, lovingly.
hi.
first, I am sad for you all for what happened to your sweet maizey and what you all now go through. may you all have comfort and peace. God is with you (us) all, including maizey. thanks be to God!
second, congratulations on your new job and home. hope the home improvements go quickly and well and you feel truly at home and can get to the fun part – the decorating. 🙂
and third (in case you are like me and collect things with your name on it), i just saw a seller on etsy called “bear fruit” and they are selling lots of plants (mostly succulents in mason jars) … and there are some in old “greer brand tomatoes” cans. 🙂
hope this week is better, brighter and easier for you all.
kathy
thank you Kathy! What sweet wishes.
Love the new site, Jerusalem! Miss you!
Jerusalem, i felt amazement at reading your posting in Forward Day by Day today. It is so far from my experience to have property that mowing would require two riding machines plus a bigger chopping up one pulled by a tractor, and that the project would require an entire day.
I’m a suburban condo dweller, just outside the city limit of Portland, Oregon, a medium sized yet significant city. I once had a lawn and garden to care for, and I loved the work. Now I am reduced to about a half dozen pots on a patio that I share with three other unit dwellers, none of whom have any time or inclination for plants. As they would readily say, “that’s why we pay our HOA dues.” I think that they enjoy my pots on their way in and out.
You say you love living in the South. I thoroughly enjoy not living in the South anymore. I very much appreciate the Pacific Northwest. The climate, whether weather or politics or social views, suit me very well. I am truly at home, as I never was growing up in West Virginia. Of course the South is many places, just as is the West. Portland is very different than southern Idaho.
I’m a retired priest, affiliated with a wonderful parish just minutes from our house. The rector gives me tons of stuff to do, all liturgical since that is my interest and my ability. I’ve written in this month’s Vintage Voice if you’d care to look.
Thank you for the daily posting. I’ll try imagine what it is like to live in rural Arkansas, and know that the world and its people are very diverse indeed.
Steve
Hello, Jerusalem.
I just read your post in Forward Day by Day for Sunday, May 28; “God in the Wilderness “.
And I recognize the wisdom of this scriptural tenet;I have also witnessed God’s leading, ahead of life’s wilderness experiences.
For me, the larger the “Wide Load” sign, the more demanding is the trek into the wilderness.
And greater is the Presence; sweeter is the constancy. Dearer is the word of truth, like this lesson from Psalm 68.
Light, and peace, my friend.
Jerusalem,
Thank you for your wonderful reflections in the May section of the Forward Day by Day publication.
Original and personal!
I have been reading your forward Day by Day Meditations for the month of May and enjoying them. I gathered that you are from Alaska… perhaps I’m wrong? Alaska is very important to me as I and my husband lived and worked there for 15 years in the 50’s and 60’s. six of our eight children were born there. I have been wanting to know where you lived there…if you did. we attended St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea
Episcopal church in sitka for seven years. before that we were in Metlakatla, Akiak , and Bethel which were not within the Episcopal missionary area. I admire your type of farming and your various activities. future strengths to you with all that you do.
Jerusalem, thank you for your contributions in the May Day by Day. I have been a subscriber at least 10 years, have to give you an A+ for your messages in May. In fact my first read in each new issue is the next to last page to become familiar with who will be the contributor for the month. I read your short bio, the name was first to do a double take then a little bit about family ho hum then on to the next author Ann Rose then Miriam McKenney. Well first day, wanted to get to know you better second day beginning to think this writer gets it and I am learning something about life, family, God and living. Here we are 4 days into June and I am missing your profound thoughts and motivating ideas to follow Jesus. My life has been wonderful, travel, multiple homes, large family, spread over the country, worked hard for 55 years then suddenly it was gone. The housing recession ended the good life, the bank took my company, did not save enough during the good times. My bride of 40 some years has been a wonderful companion with the good times and troubled times. Wonderful to have a loving caring companion. Came to recon with the Lord, not why me but what is next Lord? The path broadens and the load gets narrower with many choices each day. My hobby of raising labrador retriever puppies is keeping us busy during spring and summer. Enough of my life, somehow want to keep your messages coming into my daily reading.
Bob, on a journey getting to know, love and serve God.
The Book Fairy dropped your latest book in my hands on a recent library trip. My first thought was who has a name like Jerusalem? But hey the cover is pretty and the title is catchy so let’s try it. After just the intro and a couple of chapters I knew I was going to treasure this story. After 5 chapters I decided I wanted to know more about this young woman which is how I found this page – while sitting in an airport nonetheless. Fell in love with you and your story here. What a treasure and blessing you are. Now I must run…more reading At Home in This Life is calling.
So grateful for you in my world!
Thank you!
Jerusalem: I have just met you through today’s Forward Day by Day 9/1/2021 I, too, love Gamache mysteries. I am going to enjoy reading your daily reflections.
Sept 24, 2021 as you the Psalms have not been my choice of reading. However todays reading gave me a new way to look and to undestand. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Jerusalem Greer. I am so enjoying your meditations in Forward Day By Day. I am a cradle Episcopalian, but didn’t know it until I was 25. I am also the organist at 2 churches, one Episcopal, and one Presbyterian.
The picture in FDBD does NOT loook like the one here on your blog. The blog one really started me as it looks very much like my daughter Gigi. If I could figure out how to forward her picture to you, I would. However, being 86 years old I am somewhat technologically challenged and do well to use a computer or smart phone.
I did want to acknowledge your birthday and wish you many more.
May the Lord be with you always.
Joy Briggs
Thank you for your harvesting words in the issue of August, September, October issue of Forward Day by Day.
Really enjoyed your devotions for Sept 2021, Forward, Day by Day. Deep, yet simple, full of life and love, instructive but didn’t point a finger, Blessings to you and yours
I am rereading your September readings and unlike some, I may not read the back page of FM to “meet” the writer. Today, I did read yours. And I am here, thanking you for many thoughts and inspiration. There are many phrases and “days” of your writing that are helpful. Today as I reread, Monday, September 13: “We follow the wisdom of St Paul and Bishop Curry: we keep the main thing the main thing. We dig into our purpose first and our preference second. And what is our purpose? The movement of Jesus and His way of love.” (my capitalization on His).
Thank you for this and many others.
Jane Scott
I posted comment earlier but did not have a chance to choose to receive notifications of new posts.
Thanks so much for this message,That’s new good News for me,Thanks you.