I begin by admitting this E-pistle is derivative. It’s a reworking or reapplication of David Brooks’ recent column “Weavers,” which sort of surprises me. I mostly avoid reading Brooks as I find him usually muddled, and often infuriating. Actually, I often read him only when I want to...
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Last Sunday afternoon, I got a message from one of our members who had been in church: “…Unsure if it came out of the lectionary or if you picked it yourself, but I really appreciated the reading from Corinthians today. ‘But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his...
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“If we can’t as a congregation bear disagreement and tension — handle some discomfort — we’ll never do anything. Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But if we cannot risk ruffling any feathers or upsetting any apple carts, our range is going to be awfully restricted...
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The Rev. Cean James will be back for our next session of Natural Church Development. Rev. James introduced us to Natural Church Development in a presentation after worship in early November. He will be back this Sunday for the second installment. (Sorry, we sort of lost sight of this...
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I really appreciated last Sunday’s conversation about the future of our homeless ministries. Thanks to Megan and the others who planned it, and everyone who participated in it. It was a good start to an important discussion towards our discernment as a congregation. What does God want...
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We have an important conversation before us this Sunday after the budget and the elections at the Annual Meeting. It’s not to be a whole conversation we’re going to have, but the beginning, a good start, as we dive into a complicated relational situation about which people may have a...
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The Elders have called the Congregational Annual Meeting for Sunday, January 27, following worship. Immediately following service, there will be a potluck meal with the church providing fried chicken. The Annual Meeting will begin at the end of the luncheon. The meeting will include...
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(Pastor’s Note: Writing my report for the Congregational Annual Meeting, I decided to run it as this week’s E-pistle as well. Maybe that will get more people to read it! Or get more people aware of and interested in the upcoming Congregational Annual Meeting on January 27, after...
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There is snow in the forecast again, though we have heard conflicting reports whether or not we are facing another white Sunday morning. But, it is winter, and perhaps a good time to rehearse our winter weather policy. Michael can get to church. Yes, he can ride his bike in the snow!...
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Yes, it sounds an awful lot like our tagline #LoveFirst. Go figure! But notice their is an apostrophe on Jesus and an “s” on First. The lectionary offers a series of Gospel readings for this Epiphany season that can be understood as “Jesus’ Firsts.” As in: Jesus’ First Miracle, Jesus’...
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