10 Nov

All at First and Last is Grace

Dear Friends, I started reading a new book this week—not a newly released book but a newly-introduced-to-me book.  Published six years ago, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama spent time atop the...

02 Nov

Change is in the Air!

Dear Friends, It is November and all around us there are signs that change is happening.  The leaves which were so gloriously vibrant just a week or two ago are now fading and quickly falling.  Baseball is approaching its final weekend, and in its place, football,...

07 Sep

God’s Goodness in the Changes

Dear Friends, The calendar says it is September and although the weather hasn’t felt significantly less humid yet, I am grateful that my favorite season is nearly here.  Already signs of autumn are appearing:  backpack toting students and yellow school buses are everywhere.  I watched the...

11 Aug

Connect-Grow-Serve

Connect ~ Grow ~ Serve Coming soon to an inbox—and a pulpit—near you! Hello Friends, It has been a beautiful day in the neighborhood as we have pondered the wisdom and life lessons of Mister Rogers through the lens of Scripture over the past month.   It seems Mister...

27 Jul

More Calvary Updates

Dear Friends, Last week I gave an update on the numerous repair and maintenance projects that have been taking place around the building over the summer.  But more is happening at Calvary than building upkeep.  Now for the rest of the story! Leasing space/tenant update: Talks continue with...

20 Jul

Under Construction in Order to Welcome

Dear Friends, At the May 22 Town Hall meeting, three significant areas of necessary, imminent building repairs were highlighted.  In reality, four areas have been addressed over the past two months, and it’s time for an update.  Here is where we stand:  The concrete work was completed...

14 Jul

With Gratitude: Companions for a Decade

Dear Friends, Thank you for the lovely flowers, card, chocolate cake and many words ofcongratulations and well wishes last Sunday for my tenth anniversary. It is rather hardto fathom that a decade has passed since I arrived at Calvary—until, that is, I reflect onhow much we...

01 Jun

It’s Time to Tell the Truth

Dear Friends, More times than I care to count, I have left town for vacation and tragedy strikes.  The killing of George Floyd two years ago particularly stands out for the national rage and grief it rightly unleashed.  Now, the mass murder of 19 students and...

01 Jun

Hymn for the Hurting

By Poet Amanda Gorman Everything hurts,Our hearts shadowed and strange,Minds made muddied and mute.We carry tragedy, terrifying and true.And yet none of it is new;We knew it as home,As horror,As heritage.Even our childrenCannot be children,Cannot be. Everything hurts.It’s a hard time to be alive,And even harder to...