Our vision is to partner in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to work together in ways that promote healthy congregations and effective leaders in every place, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Recently, I got to hear a friend of mine preach; he gave the devotional message at a Wespath meeting I attended. He serves in the Western Pennsylvania Conference and talked about his recent life as a pastor. He admitted to being tired of the current troubles, and he listed all of them: pandemic, divisive politics,… Continue Reading→
I enjoy two on-line devotional gifts: one a daily scripture reflection and the other a daily prayer reflection, rooted in the Word, and always concluding with a task, an assignment for me to live out my faith. I am dependent on them for growing my devotion to Christ, and, frankly, during the… Continue Reading→
Last week, on my way to record a sermon for a coming Sunday’s worship service at one of our churches, I pulled up at a stoplight immediately behind a car hosting a fascinating pair of rear bumper stickers with a stick-on cross in-between. One sticker had lots of words: 2 lines, a website reference, and… Continue Reading→
My wonderful mother-in-law was a “stitcher”: she literally stitched all sorts of things and once owned a needlework shop. I treasure the things she made including a prayer sampler that reads, “Lord, grant me patience . . .but HURRY. Amen.” I get it. I can be patient but just now, patience is in… Continue Reading→
Communication. It’s always meant a two-way process to me: you talk, I listen; I talk, you listen. But I’ve been thinking more about it because of two things I’ve heard in the past week. First, a friend of mine, a psychotherapist, volunteered in a conversation that she thinks one major reason people struggle within families… Continue Reading→
CHANGES IN AND WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL DISTRICT Changes of appointment in the district means that several dear friends are leaving for new ministries and new stages in their lives. We want to give our love and farewell to: Gina Barrow, Wendy Bishop, Liz Hounshell, Kwan Seok Kim, Don Mitchell, Steve Murphy, Tom Newman, Reggie… Continue Reading→
Friends, The article below was written actually before the last week of protests following the killing of George Floyd and our nation and world’s horrified reactions. While I still think the piece stands as a witness for our United Methodist connection and have asked that it be shared with you, I have to preface it… Continue Reading→
Last Sunday, between worship services, I walked our dogs. Occasionally on Sunday – even though the parishioners are not there – the local Roman Catholic church plays its carillon. Beautiful music. I loved hearing the Easter hymns: every one of which you can find in the United Methodist hymnal. I even sang along a few… Continue Reading→
I suspect everyone reading this knows that the Risen Jesus’ appearances typically only engendered one response: fear. He spent most of his first moments after reuniting with his people telling them, “Don’t be afraid.” (John, who was honest enough to express doubts about the possibility of resurrection, got calming words but not that same “chill… Continue Reading→