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Fundraising is not our goal. Let me repeat that. Fundraising is not our goal. We have shared this repeatedly over the years and it continues to be true. Fundraising is, however, the single most powerful way you can support our congregation.

In his recent book, Dedicated, author Pete Davis noted how those we most often admire carry, at their core, a set of unshakeable commitments or deep set of beliefs.  These long-haul heroes have simply kept at it for years or even decades in their quest for creating a kinder world.

As many of us do, I find myself going back often to books and writers I admire. At no time is this more true than when I’m pondering topics upon which I respect their opinions, thoughts, or feelings. I find, often, the questions they ask provide me with the mindset and mindframe to explore my own...

One of the truer parts of life seems to be that as we age, life becomes increasingly precious, a preciousness almost beyond words. With a smile, just look at baptisms. Parents, understandably, come to this sacrament with nap schedules and diaper changes largely front-and-center. And then there are...

This week is widely held as “Holy Week.”  As with all things holy, how do we enter it?

A beautiful note posted on one of our social media platforms read, “Those who are walking a very messy path, spiritual or otherwise, in the Word are the ones who the Lord makes intentional efforts to be near, to honor with his love and attention… Maybe messy nonexperts shed light on a path less...

This week we enter Easter.

One of the hardest elements of the spiritual life to accept is the now-shifted concept of “success.”

Churches are often known by their “thing.” Jesuits are known for their work in educational circles. Franciscans for their work with the poor. And yes, there is a group of Mennonites known, in their quest for unadorned simplicity, as “black bumper Mennonites.”

There are few topics as challenging to address as suicide. Pain surrounds the issue, and words of comfort are hard to salvage amid these storms.

Years ago, mainstream American culture moved away from being a church-going culture.  Though still true in parts of the country, the idea of consistent, Sunday church attendance as part of a dedicated weekly routine shifted dramatically. 

In a beautiful line of theology, Emanuel Swedenborg writes, “Fruit born of love bears the seed.”  That process is at the heart of our faith journey.   A place where we come to both love our neighbor, and have faith in our neighbor as well.

I imagine we all feel a gentle easing as life appears to move towards more regular rhythms.   It is beautiful, for example, to witness the small steps as we start to gather in person.

Often in church, we hear a line of worry, a concern “du jour” as it were.  One heard a great deal are the deep concerns harbored over the debilitating divisiveness in our culture.

It is interesting to witness how something virtuous can be turned to a vice over time.  A simple concept, “We are here to save the world”, is one such example.  Listening to “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” on Podcast brought this home.