Browsed by
Author: LaTonya Calderon

I BID YOU FAREWELL

I BID YOU FAREWELL

Fare.well; /,fer’wel/ noun/exclamation: 1 used to express good1wishes on parting.an act of parting or of marking someone’s departure.2I think my son said it best when I told him that I was receiving anew appointment. He said, “Well that’s like a backhandedblessing… ‘Yeah! I have a new appointment! Oh! But you have toleave Stuart’.” My sentiments exactly. While I am excited for whatthe future holds and the journey to come, I am sad to leave thepeople of Stuart – Mt Vernon…

Read More Read More

Again & Again We Are Easter People

Again & Again We Are Easter People

So this happened… March 9, 2020 Governor Reynolds announces the first 3 cases of the corona virus which lead to partial shutdowns and safety protocols And Yet… a year later as we are still battling covid-19 vaccinations have begun and positivity rates gradually decline. So this happened… May 25, 2020 upon arrest George Floyd was killed by a police officer kneeling on his neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds sparking a critical mass protest against racism and police brutality. And…

Read More Read More

Lent 2021

Lent 2021

In this Lenten season “Again & Again” we are journeying toward the cross. Again, we journey with our sinfulness in reflection, repentance and reconciliation. And…Again we journey with God’s grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. We journey in relationship with the Almighty, praying and hoping that that relationship strengthens and grows and endeavors to fulfill the very purpose of our existence in this world. The world in which we are part of and called to be good stewards of. Again, as…

Read More Read More

Focusing on Prayer

Focusing on Prayer

Let me begin by saying I am so grateful for the blessings we received from this church family. It was indeed a Christmas blessing. Thanks to all who blessed us!  We are about to embark upon a new season in our Christian year. It begins as Ash Wednesday ushers us into the season of Lent. Normally we would have an Ash Wednesday service that would focus on the ritual of being marked with the ashes of last year’s palm branches…

Read More Read More

New Normal for a New Year

New Normal for a New Year

As we enter into a new year amid the pandemic, racial injustice, and political unrest I want share this prayer from Walter Brueggemann in his book “Virus as a Summons to Faith”. It is entitled “At the Edge of a New Normal” because truth is the normal is no longer. Note: while it focuses on the effect of the virus we certainly can add it the other “ills” that affect us!  Our “normal ways” are reassuring to us:  It is…

Read More Read More

State of the Church Address

State of the Church Address

Each year for our charge conference I write a State of the Church Address. It is a statement of celebration and hope for the future. As this has been an unprecedented year, God has been was with us and is working for us right now and indeed preparing us for our future. In filling out paperwork for the charge conference, the Administrative Council was asked to share stories of, “Where have you seen God at work through your congregation?” Here are…

Read More Read More

Something to be Thankful For

Something to be Thankful For

As October is nearing its end and November is quickly approaching, I have always looked forward to November not just because I look forward to the Thanksgiving meal and time spent with family. Not just because it is one month closer to celebrating the birth of Christ and again spending time with family. But for me November really is a time to focus on being thankful for all that God has done for me throughout the year. I give thanks…

Read More Read More

Go Forth People of God

Go Forth People of God

I came across an article written by Aisha Ahmad, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, where she addresses being at the 6-month mark of the pandemic shutdown and how to survive through it. She refers to this 6 month mark as hitting the 6-month wall. She says, “…any sustained crisis is always difficult” and there comes a time when you may feel like you aren’t making progress or that the end will never be in sight. She encourages us…

Read More Read More

May God Breathe on America

May God Breathe on America

America the land of the free. A land of dreams and opportunity. These are two saying I remember hearing and being taught while growing up. I was also taught to recite the Pledge of Allegiance: Ipledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justicefor all.I am saddened that I cannot hold this declaration, this pledge, to be true for America.  The…

Read More Read More

Foundational Scriptures

Foundational Scriptures

Last month I shared inspirational quotes that help to positively influence the times of which we are living in. This month I want to offer you scripture that can absolutely change the way we are living through this time. I had the pleasure of attending a webinar of some ethnic United Methodist Bishops and they shared such scriptures. May the word of God bless you abundantly. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and…

Read More Read More