The story is told of Thomas Edison who came home from school with a note. “Mom, my teacher gave this paper to me and told me only you are to read it. What does it say? ”Her eyes welled with tears as she read out loud: “Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have good enough teachers to train him. Please teach him yourself. ”After his mother died, Edison found the letter his…
Hello friends! As you might already know, we have begun a season of being intentional with our focus on others that God places on our path. We are calling this “AWAKEN: Stuart”. In this season, we are being intentional about who and what we’re praying for. Instead of wishing we’d see God move, we’re being proactive in opening ourselves to what God is already doing in us, our church, and our community. Knowing that nothing WE do is invoking this, but that…
My name is Jenny and I couldn’t be more excited, nervous, happy, anxious, and ready to be your new pastor. 🙂 We will have lots of time to get to know each other, which I am really looking forward to! I thought I might share a few things with you to get us started and so you know who I am. I have lived in the areas of Adair and Casey for over 30 years (with a few of those spent away exploring college…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…