Pastor’s Ponderings

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...

Please read over the letter below that describes our plans for staffing after Rev. Shannon Sullivan leaves Calvary Church this June. The SPRC will be prayerfully considering the needs and opportunities that we are facing in this particular time and setting. At the...

What’s it going to look like? We are marking a year since the pandemic hit us here in Frederick. Things continue to change week to week. More people are getting vaccinated and more vaccines are in the pipeline. The CDC has offered guidelines for those who have been...

Last Sunday, Rev. Shannon Sullivan shared the news that she has been appointed to Trinity United Methodist Church starting July 1.  It’s been an honor to work with Pastor Shannon since July 2017. This isn’t unexpected. Associate Pastors tend to move on to other...

Music has a richness and depth that makes the worship service stirring and meaningful.  I like to sing, but I like to sing even more with other people.  And I love to sing the words and music of songs that have fed people of faith over time.  Until we get back to...