Shocking...that doesn't seem to fit Heartbreaking...that may be better, but doesn't quite get there 500,000 That's the number of COVID deaths we have reached in the United States. In one of the wealthiest, most medically sophisticated countries in the world, over half a million people have died from a virus they knew little to nothing…
Three Things…from Schitt’s Creek: The Rose Family
This week in worship we continued a series called Family Values, looking at the intersection of television and theology. We are looking at what lessons we can learn for our own relationships, both inside family and out. This week, we looked at the Rose family and the people of Schitt's Creek, along with Nicodemus' encounter…
Three Things…from This is Us: The Pearson Family
This week in worship we began a new series called Family Values. The series will explore the intersection of television and theology, especially around issues of family. The term "family values" brings up a lot if images, some helpful and some...well, not so helpful. One of my hopes for this series is that we will…
The Gospel According to Christmas Vacation
I was in my early teens when my friends and I went to the movies to see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This was one of the first PG-13 movies I remember seeing in the theaters (do you remember those? Before March, we used to go to this building called a theater to see movies) Now…
Election Day
One of the great acts of our democracy is electing the President of the United States. In a divisive election season, the thrill of victory is heightened and the sting of defeat is magnified. We may not also know the results of some races for days. It may very well be a tense time in…
Braving the Wilderness Series Preview
The world has never seen anything like this. Plans wrecked, sickness wreaking havoc, entire countries sent into exile. Oh... you thought I was talking about the last six months or so. I might be, but I also could be referring to the 13th century BCE and the events of the book in the Hebrew Bible that is the Exodus.
Pivoting
I've probably heard the word pivot more in the last three months than I have heard it in my entire life. I've probably used the word pivot more in the last three months than I've have in my entire life. In a COVID-19 world, pivoting has become trendy. We are doing things in a new…
6 Things I’ve Learned at the Church Door
I was thinking the other day about what I miss most about having church in-person. There are many things to miss about not being able to gather in-person and when we do, I suspect church will look different for the foreseeable future. It struck me that I really miss church door conversations. Now, I know…
The Holy Spirit as Agitator
This is an approximation of the words I shared during my sermon on May 31, 2020 on Pentecost The Holy Spirit as Agitator We need an agitator in our collective lives. This has been a tragic week in our nation with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. On a day when we celebrate the…
The Myth of “Seminary Didn’t Prepare Me for This”
I'm kinda over the phrase, "seminary didn't prepare me for this. I know that clergy use it as comic relief and a way to take out frustration, but the truth is that my seminary education (along with other life experience) DID prepare me for leadership during this time. A big shout out today to Candler…
