Being the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting which claimed 29 lives, I am thinking of the environment in which that tragedy occurred. It would be easy for me to say, ‘I wasn’t a part of that’. I live nowhere near Orlando. I am not gay. I hate dancing. The communities and people involved are quite removed from me. It doesn’t pertain to me. I … Continue reading Pulse and the Church
My first favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon, the classic tale by Margaret Wise Brown. Our kids have always loved watching the room change as the bunny is getting ready for sleep. One time when we were flying and Anna was little we were reading the book on the plane. The kind gentleman next to us commented about how much he loved that book. I … Continue reading Bottom Line on Project Transformation: Reading with Kids is Fun
In a few weeks, 50-60 kids will descend upon our humble church facility for Project Transformation. And I am so excited for them to meet you. I am excited for the kids to be nurtured and loved all summer long. I am excited for the college interns who will run Project Transformation to grow in their service and dedication to the “least of these” (who … Continue reading Project Transformation…a pathway to the church
Everything I’ve ever learned about loving my LGBTQ neighbors as myself, I learned through the United Methodist CHurch. Everything I’ve learned about fully including, welcoming and valuing LGBTQ people in the church and society at large, I learned through the UMC. This weekend, while the church was spinning from the Judicial Council’s decision regarding Bishop Karen Oliveto, I was with the United Methodist Women training … Continue reading On Bishop Oliveto
TEXT John 4:5-42 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 4:5-42 (Samaritan Woman at the Well)
TEXT John 3:1-17 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 3:1-17 (Nicodemus)
Identity Religion Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’–Matthew 2:13 You’ve probably heard of ‘identity politics’. And you may have heard it in … Continue reading Because Jesus was a Refugee
I have been working through moral foundations for living in the US under President Donald Trump. I sketched out these ideas at the end of last year and they seemed so theoretical. Like it’s part of a mind trick to say that Love and Truth are moral foundations. To me, these seem so basic. Maybe it’s necessary to go back to the basics. When sketching … Continue reading Moral Foundations for Living in Trump’s America (Part 3 of 3)
Since marrying almost 11 years ago, I have entered the realm of another family’s traditions. It’s nothing new. Ever since Cain met that girl from somewhere else, family traditions have always come and gone and evolved. As a child, I never thought much of the traditions of my family. They seemed plain and were less taught than assumed. During holy seasons, you went home, gathered … Continue reading Tradition as a Spiritual Foundation
In thinking about how to live in Trump’s America, I am thinking through moral foundations that will guide subsequent actions and stances. What are the spiritual nonnegotiable bases for how to live. The 3 foundations I have identified, based on my spiritual and religious upbringing, are love, truth and grace (coming January 16). The Foundation of Truth Burnt Fingers and Too Many M&Ms Truth is … Continue reading Moral Foundations for Living in Trump’s America (Part 2 of 3)
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