“General Happenings” The United Methodist General Conference has been meeting over the past 2 weeks. (Real quickly, for those not familiar, the General Conference is a gathering of representatives from across the globe the discuss and revise our Book of Discipline, the official rules, procedures, and teachings of the denomination. This meeting typically takes place … [Read more…]
“The Nature of Witness” So, for those of you who don’t know me well, I have a confession to make: I LOVE a good disaster or dystopian story. If meteors are barreling toward Earth, there’s been a nuclear meltdown, or society has been disrupted by an alien invasion–I’m totally in! For me, these stories are … [Read more…]
“From the Bishop” For our focus this week, I thought I’d share with you some thoughts from our Bishop as he and our denomination prepare for a very important event in the life of the UMC. I appreciate the words he shared and hope you will too. Blessings, Chris We are in General Conference season. … [Read more…]
“Letting Go” No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they … [Read more…]
“Do Not Worry” Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34 I’m a bit of a worrier. I internalize things a lot and … [Read more…]
In Christ, you are a New Creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 At our annual goals-setting retreat in the Fall of 2022, the church’s Administrative Board established a goal of developing and implementing an updated and unique graphic identity for Nelson Memorial. The idea was to agree upon one graphic identity – one logo – to represent … [Read more…]
“Faith & Forgiveness” If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:3-5 … [Read more…]
“Imposter Syndrome” So now, go. I am sending you to Pharoah to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:10-11 Imposter Syndrome is defined as “the persistent inability to believe one’s success … [Read more…]
“On Lent and Justice and Slogging Through Both” We are in the season of Lent–a time when many of us Christians give up or pick up habits in an effort to grow closer to becoming that person we believe (fingers crossed) God has called us to be. A few weeks ago, I read a devotion … [Read more…]
“Resolute” As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 As part of the confirmation curriculum we are using, the students and their mentors are reading through the Gospel of Luke together. This week our reading included chapters 9 and 10. Chapter 9 of … [Read more…]