For the past two weeks I have been out of the office. I cannot say I’ve been on “vacation” because there wasn’t much about my time away that was restful or relaxing. I cannot even say I was “away from work” because I “worked like...
We are doing some updates and came across this blog post from last year. We hope you have either peaches, beaches, family, or friends lined up for your weekend! What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words “summer vacation”? Do you...
While Pastor Michelle is on vacation, we are reposting some of the "best of" her blogposts. This post - a reflection no the 4th of July, was from July 2, 2017: This year was a very low-key 4th of July celebration at my house. Having...
If you know me at all – and especially if you have been in ministry with me – you’ve heard me say that the model of leaving the faith development of children completely up to the church is flawed and out of date. Flawed for...
With the arrival of Memorial Day this past weekend, summer has begun, albeit “unofficially.” In my neighborhood, pools opened, grills fired on all cylinders, lawn mowers and weed-whackers roared to life. On my way to church, I shared the road with numerous motorcycle riders who...
I recently became aware of two “clubs” that I didn’t know existed. Neither of these clubs is one that people join by choice. Instead, we are thrust in to them through no fault of our own. Membership in these clubs is life-changing. We are never...
Last week I wrote about the ongoing challenges we face as individuals and as a congregation to meet the needs of our neighbors. It just so happened that after I wrote that post, two additional incidents occurred. One of them involved a middle-aged man who...
Today I encountered a situation that comes up frequently for most anyone in my line of work and in fact, for most anyone who pays attention to people and cares about the dignity and well-being of others. The door bell of the church rang not...
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” This is the opening line of Isaiah 55, a poetic, poignant, powerful chapter of the Old Testament writing ascribed to the prophet Isaiah. The chapter is an invitation to Israel to enjoy life with God which is marked by...
This past weekend I spent two days in the dirt. On Friday I planted flower pots, pruned bushes, mowed the grass, put down mulch, and declared the deck “open for business” after hanging baskets and pots were moved into place. On Saturday I worked on...