Open to Understand & Everything Comes Next Jesus said to his disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you– that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. (LK […]

Embracing Uncertainty Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (ACTS 2:14a, 36)  Paul proclaims Jesus as Lord and Messiah to all who will hear. He had an agenda. […]

Resurrection and compass. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (Jn 20:26-27)  Compass This clock for telling space turns your attention to the […]

Blessings this Eastertide. The Hump Day messages during these 50 days of Easter will be poetry. The intention is reflection on resurrection. On Easter Day we explored an aspect of resurrection as being hope that is indestructible. We can have different experiences about what resurrection is throughout our lifetimes. I hope you can make time […]

The Practice of Self-Compassiona reflection offered by Parish Life member Anne JohnsonTherefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12 This week, I would like to talk about self-compassion. Self-help books promise to solve all your problems, magazines at the check-out counter make outlandish […]

Compassion is Integral to Justice A reflection offered by Parishioner & Teller, DIck Fichter           From Living Well in Lent 2023, referenced in this year’s Lenten series, one of the definitions of compassion is the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition as “the feeling or emotion, when a person is moved by the suffering or distress of […]

Compassionate Listening as a Practice A reflection offered by CYFM Minister, Dana Hale Over the past year, I have visited a retreat house twice and stayed in the same room. A children’s book called The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld sits propped up on a desk in the corner. I love children’s books for their resourceful […]

Being Compassionate When it’s Hard to Feel Compassion A reflection offered by parishioner, Sally Campbell Compassion. It seems easy enough. You see someone in pain, you recognize their suffering and you want to do something to help. It’s part of being human. In their book Made for Goodness, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his […]

Remember…. you are dust… you are beloved The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. (Psalm 103:8,14) Dear Friends,  Recently a friend asked me, “Does it bother you to put ashes on children’s […]

For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9 Dear Friends,  Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. The ubiquitous February 14th. Heart-shaped boxed candy and roses are its traditional hallmarks. Admittedly, I’m not much for personally celebrating this quasi-holiday. It often outright sneaks up on me. Still, I enjoy […]