Encouraging, challenging and equipping congregations to thrive spiritually and be apostles for reconciliation
May 30, 2020: George Floyd I once heard someone say, “you can’t fight ignorance with violence.” I believe that. I believe violence, mayhem, and destructive rioting do nothing to make the naïve suddenly aware, voices heard or problems solved. But how long will the ignorant, the naïve and the unaware hide behind their dominant culture […]
From the General Presbyter Today I was on a Zoom call with Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, the Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, who talked about being a “Matthew 25 Church,” a new posture of the PC(USA) based on the named text, but more importantly, how we engage the “isms” of our society. I listen […]
May 22, 2020 Many of you have heard the news that Donald Trump wants churches to open this Sunday. It’s been determined that Governors and religious authorities make the final call about buildings reopening this weekend. As I mentioned in my report to the Gathering, congregations are not ready to regather unless their facilities are […]
From the General Presbyter Don’t get me wrong. This whole pandemic thing is getting old for me too. I’m a yogi and a kickboxer and I am not able to go to those classes. I can’t visit my friends and I play dodge ball every time I go out grocery shopping. I can’t visit your […]
May 14, 2020 Sisters and Brothers in Christ. As you know, the Governor of Maryland has created an Executive Order entitled: Allowing Reopening of Certain Businesses and Facilities, Subject to Local Regulation. In this order, houses of worship may open to the general public, provided, however, that “the total number of persons permitted…at any one […]
From the General Presbyter The characters Jamie and Tea Cake in Zora Neale Hurston’s book, Their Eyes are Watching God , are living in the Everglades when they hear a hurricane is coming. They first decide to wait it out, but soon the storm presses in with wind, rain and flooding. The characters end up […]
From the General Presbyter “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May God remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.” Psalm 20: 1 & 3 f you haven’t already heard, the 224th General Assembly will not be coming to the […]
From the General Presbyter “I Guess You Guys Aren’t Ready For That Yet. But Your Kids Are Gonna Love It.” In the 1985 movie Back to the Future, Marty McFly travels back to 1955, accidentally interfering with his parents’ courtship and now, must make them fall in love… or else he will never be born. […]
From the General Presbyter So…how do we accomplish the ends, within the current means?That depends. If I asked you that two months ago, you might be in the throws of worrying about the usual stuff; you know, stewardship, new members, or young families. Now what might you say? What are your ends now? To keep […]
God of wisdom and courage, we give You thanks for sustaining Your church thus far in these uncertain times. We pray for your Holy Spirit to descend on us as we gather over screens and phones, newsletters and blogs. Though our hands cannot touch each other in the passing of the peace of Christ, may […]
