Before you can believe you will accomplish the work of God’s Kingdom, you must believe that you matter already simply because you ARE God’s Kingdom.
Happy 4th of July! I hope you all have a good holiday celebrating with the people you want to be around – or by yourself if that’s what you wish. Stay safe, keep your pets indoors, and have some red, white and blue Jell-O creation. To be honest, I’m really struggling with what to say about this holiday. I’m not…
Peace has a long and rich history of being a healthy congregation. Relationships form that stand the test of time and distance. Spiritual disciplines are taught and practiced – study of God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, worship, service. Leaders make decisions based on what they believe will honor Jesus Christ as head of the church. Hospitality, justice, creativity, love of neighbor,…
As we continue to celebrate Pride, I was reminded recently that Pride is a time not just for being allies for people who have been hurt by family, community, church, society, etc. because of their identity as LGBTQ+. But Pride is a time to celebrate all the wonderful gifts that LGBTQ+ individuals bring to the world. So I did some…
During pride month, let us be a safe haven for all who need a new family. Let us be a refuge for those who need safety and warmth.
We will say a Memorial Day Prayer for Peace. But if this is our prayer, then we must make it happen. No more Christian nationalism…
Religious Communities differ from cults in four ways: the people, the leadership, the transparency of the organization, and requirements.
So…let’s do this. Let’s dive in and explore together the differences between the healthy, ideal of a community that lives together as with one heart and mind and which hold things in common for the common good, vs. the toxic and dangerous nature of communities like cults or communes or geo-political entities. Remember, I am not an “expert” in cults…
President Biden did not politicize Easter as other political leaders are claiming. What he did do was issue a public proclamation of support, lifting up all transgender women and men as equal citizens of this nation for whom we will work to protect their basic human rights. If hope for a life where you are seen and loved and valued isn’t the good news of the Gospel…
Life is full of disappointments and pain, suffering and grief. Sin and death make their presence clearly known. But even as we go to the cross on Good Friday, we face it head on in the sure and certain hope that Sunday is coming and Jesus will be raised among us.