Last week, I went to a Christmas party at a friend’s house. It is an annual event with a big group of girlfriends who have journeyed through life together for many years now. We greeted each other with hugs. We had some drinks and yummy food. At some point, our friend...
This is how I started the class I recently taught about spiritual health during the holidays. This time of year is taken up with a lot of stressful, seasonal activity and the expectations that come with it. What might happen if we thought about Christmas in a new way?...
Ever had a plan to get up at a certain time to go exercise, or get some things done around the house before the day really begins? Then the alarm goes off, and the bed, where you are, as they say, snug as a bug in a rug, and you don’t want to move. So you hit the...
Rachel Fitch and I just finished reading a book called Freeing Congregational Ministry by B. Hunter Farrell with S. Balajiedlang Khyllep. It provides a practical vision for companionship, cultural humility and co-development that is a useful guide for short-term...
It is the Monday before the Tuesday of midterm elections. I suspect you already knew this given all the ads, news stories, hand-wringing and anxiety in the air. Elections are important, voting is important. As a naturalized United States citizen I get giddy when I go...
Happy All Hallows Eve! As costumes were donned yesterday for a Sunday School hour trick or treating and as they are donned again tonight for neighborhood walks, we are reminded of our childhoods and the fun and joy of the festivities. And, as November 1 is tomorrow...
Two weeks ago I attended the White House Conference on Hunger and Nutrition via livestream. This was the first conference held since the Nixon Administration to address issues of hunger in our country. The information I heard may be helpful to us as we continue to...
It is inevitable that one pays closer attention to things that have a closer impact on us. I confess, hurricane Fiona didn’t garner my scrutiny until it was evident that Fiona was going to barrel into the place where my daughter is currently living. I now lean in to...
As children gathered last Thursday morning for a Noah’s Ark Godly Play story, as the preschool children gather for Godly Play at their weekly chapel time, and as we all are welcomed to join the Godly Play moment during Sunday’s worship, we are reminded of the gift of...
This past week in the Discipleship Committee meeting, there was an incredible amount of energy about this new church year especially around being more warm and welcoming to everyone. More, you might say? Prior to COVID you all were very welcoming and engaged members...
