Advent is that special season in the life of the church during which we anticipate and prepare for the Incarnation. "Incarnation" is a "fifty-cent" theological word that reminds us that God made a stunning choice to take on human flesh and "move into the neighborhood"...
Dear Friends, What a gift this unusual, unexpected, glorious weather has been. “More like May than November” is the way one weather forecaster described it. And while I know it won’t last, that winter is surely on the way, I’ve needed and enjoyed the respite. I’ve...
Dear Friends, The calendar has turned a page and with the arrival of November, a number of significant shifts are occurring. First, of course, today is Election Day, and if you haven’t done so already, please remember to vote before the polls close. Every four years...
Dearest Calvary parents and grandparents, We’ve got less than a week until the election, and it cannot come soon enough. No matter where your vote lands, you’d be hard pressed to escape the calls, polls, signs, debates, and advertisements. If you have little ones, you may...
Voter Beatitudes By the late Rev. Dr. Mankekolo Mahlangu-Ngcobo, a South African AME clergywoman. Adapted by Sis. Jackie Dupont-Walker And seeing the multitudes, He went up to the stage, and when He was set on the podium his countrymen and women came to Him. He opened His mouth, and...
Dear Friends, “O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1) As I sit at my desk this Monday morning, and ponder what to write to you, Calvary, this is my first thought: God is good, and we are...
Dear Friends, A couple of weeks ago, I received a devotion written by Rev. Stan Ott. Stan is a minister member of National Capital Presbytery who pastored for many years in Pittsburg and elsewhere before founding Vital Churches Institute. He has worked extensively with churches all...
Dear Friends, If you’ve read my writings over the years, you know that one of my all-time favorite authors is Richard Rohr. I don’t know how he does it, but in books, articles, sermons and devotions, he just nails it time after time. And, he’s done...
September 22, 2020 Dear Friends, This past Sunday I preached on one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, a story we frequently call the parable of The Good Samaritan. The focus of my sermon was on how we can be a Good Samaritan like the...
Dear Friends, On Saturday Calvary’s Session met via Zoom, as we have been doing monthly since April. We followed up on two important conversations that, I believe, will be of particular interest to you. First, the Session discussed and agreed upon a statement of Racial Justice...