April 7, 2020 Dear Friends, On Sunday, with a service of palms and passion, we launched into Holy Week, the most sacred week in the Christian calendar. I’ll be honest—a)I don’t much feel like it is Holy Week, regardless of what the calendar says, and b)I felt...
For parents, the weeks preceding Christmas provide multiple opportunities to celebrate the birth of Christ in ways that appeal to children, and are easily understood. Children learn by “finding themselves in the story,” and who can’t identify with some part of the Gospel accounts depicting...
Dear Friends, By now you are no doubt aware of the mandatory orders of the Virginia and Maryland governors as well as D.C.’s mayor to stay home. The Virginia order, issued Monday, March 30, runs through June 10 which means that it will be much longer...
Dear Friends, First, I want to thank you for being part of our first ever live-streaming worship on Sunday, for inviting your family and friends to be virtually present with us, and for “sharing” it online later. If I’m honest, I have to admit that...
Friends, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In our new Coronavirus-driven reality, today is unfolding as an unprecedented observance of this day that commemorates the life of Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Many gathering places that would typically be jam-packed with people...
Dear Friends, News about Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus, is everywhere, and it is changing rapidly. Now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, it is clear that virtually all communities will be impacted by this virus. Preparation, patience, and diligence are key as we...
Once a month I meet with a group of women from the church for a study of scripture. This year we are examining the Ten Commandments in depth, and it has been an unexpectedly eye-popping experience. The Ten Commandments are viewed from a variety of perspectives. ...
Last night my church hosted an Ash Wednesday soup supper followed by a Taize-styled worship service. Three of our “sister” churches joined us, as has become our tradition. It is a tradition I love, as the four churches get together annually over a meal and...
Five years ago, my church was in desperate need of a website redesign. After what felt to me, a technology neophyte, like a long, involved process, the long-awaited update was ready to launch. As part of this process, I was strongly encouraged to begin blogging....
I have been surrounded by death this week. Okay, I know that is not the cheeriest of ways to begin a blog, but stay with me for a moment. Yesterday marked the third anniversary of my father’s death. Today would have been his 80th birthday, had...