I’m not preaching this Sunday morning. I had no committee meetings this week. No crises. Well, not major, time-consuming crises. And so, during this anomalous week of few pressing tasks, I had time to think. (Yes, Peace Mennonite folks should be getting worried right about now.) I’ve primarily been thinking about (and googling) adult spiritual…
Based on James 2:14-17 We long for living faith and so we come to worship hoping that our time together, our time with God will help to unclench our fists will slowly soften our hearts will quiet our voices and open our ears. Revive our faith, O God that we might serve you with glad…
This past Sunday during worship, a young mother stood up during announcement time. She said, “We came to church this morning with invitations to M’s birthday party. I told her to give them to her friends. I was thinking of the other kids, but she’s just been handing them out randomly to anyone. So if…
This call is based on Psalm 34:8-14. (Sorry, we’re off lectionary right now.) God of peace, We come to taste, We come to see, for you are good. We come seeking refuge, We come seeking food, for in you we lack no good thing. Let us listen well, Let us speak with care, According to…
Kansas governor Sam Brownback and the Republican-majority congress just passed a state budget that will cut funding to public schools by 6% and freeze the wages of public employees at well-below market value. Does anyone else see a problem here? Wasteful government spending is what I call it. Here’s my modest proposal for further slashing…
The e-mail finally came last Friday afternoon. It cam to me from the Leadership Commission, and it came to all pastors in Western District Conference from the Executive board. It was the official rationale of why the commission decided to let my credentials remain in order after I officiated a same-sex wedding. It also contains…
Prayer of Confession God, Creator of all–the mint plants, the roses, the sun and the rain, each one of us: We confess to you the times we have destroyed when you call us to create. silence God, Redeemer of humanity through Jesus of Nazareth: We confess to you the times we have not walked in…
Holy God of the Resurrection, we fall before you with relief, with sorrow, with fear. Hold us in the depths of your love. Protect our bodies from those who wish us harm. Protect our spirits from the fear and hatred that would lead us to rejoice over the death of another human being. Grant healing…
I’ve been asked about this directly by at least two people. While I usually love to share my opinions, I will admit I’ve been left a bit speechless by this one. It’s taken me awhile to be able to say anything. I don’t have a lot figured out yet, but I think I’m beginning to…
Recently a colleague of mine was dismissed from his position on the bi-national Mennonite worship committee because he is “actively” gay. That is to say that he married the man he loves and they live together in a supportive, committed relationship. Somehow, in the eyes of my denomination’s leadership, this makes him unfit to serve…
Spacious Faith 