Pastor’s Ponderings

Back in a previous sermon a couple of years back, I shared the story about Kate Bowler, author of Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved. She landed her dream job and had a wonderful family when she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and had to...

After months of staying home and limiting our exposure to others, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, we are nearing the end of the covid 19 pandemic. With infections rates going down and vaccinations rates going up, Gov. Larry Hogan has lifted many of the...

This week’s thoughts came as I was cleaning out some old files. Still worth considering today. When you see geese flying in a “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing that science has discovered why they fly that way. Research has revealed that as each bird...

There are lots of changes ahead for this congregation. What I want to talk about particularly this week is the changes that will take place when Pastor Shannon Sullivan leaves this congregation to serve another.  We will be recognizing her and offering appropriate...

One of the things that I most appreciate about the church in general is that it is a place where we find lots of different people coming together. There are senior adults and infants, toddlers and teenagers, middle agers and middle schoolers that are found in most...

This week, closing arguments have been made, and the jury began deliberations in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. It has been a year since the death of George Floyd was captured on video and widely shared on social media. For many in this...

The seventh window in the series of stained-glass windows in the Calvary Church sanctuary is a depiction of the healing of blind Bartimaeus found in Mark 10:46-52. Those who study the Bible have determined there is a repeating pattern to the stories in which Jesus...

Easter Sunday was a wonderful day. The weather was glorious, nature was showing off with the flowers and tree blossoms, and we were able to share the good news of the resurrection both online and in person with many friends and several new persons. It was so good to...

  This is the high holy days of the Christian year. We recall the events of Jesus last week as he taught, shared a meal with his disciples, demonstrated humble service through the washing of feet. He prayed a lengthy prayer over his followers and instituted the...

News from the larger church On March 22, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling offered an online “State of the Church” address which included discussion of several topics happening in the larger United Methodist Church.  First, the General Conference 2020 Session has been...