Stuart – Mt. Vernon UMC

I have been so happy and pleased with the ways in which we have been celebrating our churches ministry for these 150 years. Instead of having just one grand day of worship and fellowship the Healthy Church Leadership decided to take 150 days (May – September) and celebrate ministry in terms of “150”. Here are the things we have done: 150 items given to Cottage Food Pantry 150 minutes working in the Garden for the community 150 water bottles given…

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As I was praying and meditating this morning it occurred to me that it can be difficult to love God and our neighbors as ourselves if one does not love them self. How can one encourage another that they are loved and that they matter if they themselves do not feel loved or think that they matter or that they deserve it. I share this prayer that found me to remind me, heal me, encourages me that love begets love….

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As we enter in this season of Pentecost, the birth and life of the church by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am ever so mindful of the words that Jesus left with us, “lo, I will be with you always!” What wonderful comforting and assuring words from our Savior to know that Jesus will always be with us through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, as we continue to live out the Kingdom of…

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Growing up somehow someway I developed a heart desire for all people to live cohesively and could not understand why they could not. As I have grown quite a bit older I now understand the reasons: pride, fear, control, hurts & disappointments, indifferences, and lack of respect, patience & forgiveness. As you know by now the ruling of the Judicial Council regarding the traditional plan which continues to exclude LGBTQIA+ from ministry and marriage and carries with it punitive consequences,…

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This Easter I invite you to focus on the CROSS. Not to focus on it as the tool used to crucify Christ as was the case. Rather focus on the cross as the mechanism of transformation and hope. Reflecting upon the cross that held our Savior’s body as a holy symbol of what Christ did for us offers one a holy reverence and encouragement to be better and do better.   I share with you Easter hymns that reflect the cross…

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As you consider this season of Lent I invite you to join me in considering this list of things that we could fast from and feast on during lent. I pray you are blessed by this list and in this time of lent. Let us… Fast from worry, and feast on divine order by trusting in God. Fast from complaining, and feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives, and feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures, and feast on unceasing prayer….

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My pastoral leadership focus last year was on encouraging all of us to make different/better decisions in 2018. And that we did! As a church we decided to engage the Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) and are about half way through phase 1. I have also heard stories of personal changes and growth. I myself made the decision to tackle weight loss not just to feel better but to be able to do the things in life better. I wanted more…

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Gift Given ♥ Gift Received ♥ Gift Given The Christmas message speaks of the gift that has been given through the birth of a Savior and ask if it has received and opened? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior living a life reflective of his life? Has the church accepted the teachings and revelations of Jesus Christ and allowed it to lead its work and ministry? Have we received and opened the gift of Christmas?…

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Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the Increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever….

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The end of another growing season is coming to an end and Harvest is underway. When we speak of harvest we think of Farmers who collect the mature crops that they have planted and toiled over for months. Well just like farmers we all have planted something, like a job, a relationship, or a hobby and toiled over it in hopes that it would mature and bring about good things. The same is so in our spiritual lives, that we…

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