A Word from Pastor Lisa: "Liberation Unlocked"
Following the discovery of the empty tomb, the disciples lock themselves behind closed doors, for fear of the religious leaders. Perhaps they were also afraid of Jesus himself, that he might reveal their shame, their waywardness, and the ways they had denied and betrayed them. Yet the Risen Christ is able to pass through the locked door and stand among them, to offer them his liberating peace and wholeness. What locked doors in our lives might the Easter Jesus open and liberate for us?
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Ministry Highlight: Arlen Packard, Habitat for Humanity
Habitat is a place where people come together to work together to try to make the world a better place for their fellow human beings.
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Word from Pastor Lisa: A Reconciling Congregation
We celebrate our recent church conference vote to become a Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) Congregation. On Sunday, Aug. 20, we agreed by 95% (89-2-3) to this important step on our journey of being a church that is open to all, especially those who are LGBTQIA+. This Sunday, Aug. 27 we will rejoice together at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. with Rainbow Worship in honor of this decision and PrideFest the day before. We will take a congregation photo for RMN, so please wear either an FUMC T-shirt or a brightly colored shirt.
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A Word from Pastor Lisa: Knowing Your Limits
“I need to tell you something,” my 104-year-old Grandpa said to me in a serious tone. I leaned in a little closer. “I can’t do it like I used to a year ago. One hundred and four isn’t 103!”
We both sat back at laughed. “I’ll have to take your word for it, Grandpa!” I told him. Most of us will probably never reach that 104-year mile marker. But we recognize on a regular basis that our bodies, minds, and spirits have limitations. I recently told a friend that I wish I had the wisdom I do now in my 25-year-old body. I’m sure many of you feel the same way.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Pilgrimage of Reconciliation
What does it mean to be a reconciling congregation? Why are we taking this step?
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A Word from Pastor Lisa: "Sorrow and Love Flowed Mingled Down"
As a pastor, I’m sometimes invited to walk with people in very sacred spaces. The decision to transition genders is one of these spaces. This step is never taken lightly because it involves the entirety of a person – body, hormones, sex organs, mind, spirit, identity, and often a name and pronoun change. It is a very personal decision, and for youth, a family decision involving parents or guardians.
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Texts from Paul to Divided United Methodists
When modern Christians say they wish they could go back to the good ole days of the early church, we have to break the news to them. There were no good ole days. From the beginning, the church faced debates, infighting, struggles, and division. Paul got wind of these storms and sent a letter of comfort and challenge to the young church. The letter is comforting because Paul reminded them of their unity in Christ. It was challenging because Paul refused to let them perpetuate lesser differences which threatened that unity. How might Paul challenge us today in our own fractured denomination that appears beyond repair?
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A Word from Pastor Lisa: What Gifts Can We Bring?
On Sunday, we’ll learn more about what gold, frankincense, and myrrh represented. For now, I hope you’ll reflect on this scene: Weary, stinky travelers from a far-off land who are outside of Jesus’ tight-knit Jewish community. They haven’t grown up hearing the stories of the Hebrew heroes. Yet they recognize the Divine when they find him. And their response is to rejoice, to worship, and to offer gifts that only they can give.
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A Word from Pastor Lisa: North Central Jurisdictional Conference
All three of these new bishops are committed to abeyance, which means holding complaints around LGBTQIA+ clergy and same-sex weddings without acting on them. This is an important move for us as a jurisdiction to ensure that our churches are safe, welcoming places for all people.
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A Word from Pastor Lisa: Hungering for Hope
The U.N. has proposed a rapid-action force, but it’s not clear that countries will participate. USAID has sent a disaster response team, but so much more help is needed. Please commit with me to pray for the people of Haiti to find hunger relief and hope for the future.
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