Recently I was driving my 12-year-old daughter and three of her friends to a babysitting certification class. I don’t know if you’ve ever been in close quarters with four preteen girls, but I can assure you that it is loud and squealy. The topic of conversation this day was Pokemon GO.
I like to say, especially when facing a tough task or serious issue that needs resolution, “I am ordained to be hopeful.” As a minister in the church of Jesus Christ I see the world and the people I serve through the lens of the resurrection story. Easter tells us death is Read More...
by Rev. Joe Walker, Minister of Congregational Care I was McKenna’s age when the Golden Age of the Kansas City Streetcars coasted to a halt. So, last Saturday’s ride on the new streetcar with her provided an illustrative historic vantage point. Last Saturday we were delighted to host some much-beloved extended family Read More...
Paul ends his letter to the church in Corinth with a blessing: “The amazing grace of Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God and the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.” The first word on Paul’s list, grace, implies that God loves all people. To make sure we get it he adds a word about God’s extravagant love. Paul is painting with a broad brush here, so it is up to you and me to fill in the details.
By Paul Tucker, Co-Director of Music Recently I have found myself contemplating the idea of talents, and abilities. This topic has been on my mind especially since the recent passing of Muhammad Ali. I have heard several people surmise that if Ali had not found boxing he may have never amounted to Read More...
Julie and I are looking forward to a couple of weeks off beginning next week. Vacation means extra time for reading! Here are some of the books I’ll be enjoying this summer. How to Survive a Shipwreck, by Johnathan Martin. This book is getting a lot of buzz among my clergy friends. Read More...
by Rev. Monica Lewis, Minister to Children, Students and Families During my second interview for the Minister of Children, Students and Families, I met with several groups of people—staff members, personnel committee members, board members, lay leaders. One of those meetings was with the personnel chair at the time, Lesley Holt. Lesley Read More...
by Rev. Carla Aday, Executive Minister “The seventh day is like a palace in time with a kingdom for all” wrote the Jewish mystic Abraham Joshua Heschel. The Sabbath, the seventh day, was distinguished from all of the other days because on this day God created “tranquility, serenity, peace and repose.” Rather Read More...
By Rev. Chuck Pickrel, Director of Student Ministries As the new Director of Student Ministries, it is my job (among other things) to plan and execute spiritually meaningful programs as well as fun activities for 6th- 12th graders throughout the year. Ideally the work we do here will have a positive and Read More...
A man came to see the great German theologian, Martin Luther. The young adult was afraid that he might be committing a sin and end up being punished and sent to eternal fire for something he didn’t even realize he was doing wrong. He was overwhelmed with worry. Luther could hardly contain Read More...
Last Sunday as the KU Chamber Singers combined with our own Chancel Choir filled the rafters of our sanctuary with the overwhelmingly beautiful sound of the final anthem for the day, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” my vision was momentarily blocked by the tears pooling in my eyes. I could barely Read More...
by Rev. Monica Lewis, Minister to Children, Students and Families As Mother’s Day approaches, my heart is with all women. All of them. The mother who is so fortunate to have the family she’s always dreamed of. The mother who has struggled with her own fertility or the fertility of her partner. Read More...
Tim Hansel, in his book You Gotta Keep Dancin’, tells how his faith grew following a hiking accident. He had fallen and broken his back. After years of physical therapy he was still in pain. He recovered and was able to move around, run, and exercise, but the constant ache never left. Read More...
When have you have grown the most in your faith, in your search for something holy and sacred? When have you discovered that pearly ache for something beyond your own simple desires? Was it at a time when everything was perfect and wonderful and there was nothing to worry about or did Read More...
The singular truth that guides our Easter celebrations is this: if there is no death there can be no resurrection. Too often we want to skip Good Friday, making our way to the bunnies and the flowers and the chocolate without facing the ugliness of that terrible day. When we do that Read More...
