Language is the primary means of communication I employ as a parish pastor. Weekly I write prayers, preach sermons, engage in pastoral conversations, share information through writing and speaking, teach, pray, tell stories, and collaborate with community leaders. I am aware of the potential of language for good and for evil, to create and to destroy, to build walls and to build bridges, to bore and to inspire. First, I will to attend to language in renewal in my word-centered spiritual life, through daily scripture reading in both English and Spanish; in beginning regular conversation with a spiritual director; and in creative meditation on the word through calligraphy. Second, I will attend a two week immersion language school in Guatemala. The community I serve has a significant and growing Latino population, and I believe that Spanish language ability is important for the present and future of our ministry here. Third, I will consider how language is changing, by going to theater and reading literature, experiencing language in other churches, lingering on what gives power and persuasion to certain uses of language, reflecting on this in relation to the ministry of the gospel, and experimenting with my use of language.