Pastor’s Ponderings

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to set out on the path to follow Jesus and become more and more like him, especially regarding how we...

Mission Sunday coming October 8 Once again, we will have a hands-on mission project in the Parish Hall running on a Sunday morning, 9 AM to noon. On Sunday, October 8, the Parish Hall will be transformed into a Mission Site and we will package 10,000 meals with our...

The Calvary Weekday School is back in session. I hear the children playing on the playground just outside the Baker Center each morning. If you come to the Church on Sunday morning, you might not know about the church's excellent program for children and families in...

Here is a list of specific and practical things we can do to care for creation. This comes from Mike Koob, a member of Middletown United Methodist Church and Global Ministries Earthkeeper. This is intended to get us thinking about how we can respond to the growing...

I made a trip down to Washington, D.C. this morning to be present for the installation of Dr. Carla Works, as the new Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary today. The installation took place in the Oxnam Chapel on the seminary grounds. Wesley President David...

It was great to bless the backpacks on Sunday and say a prayer over students and teachers going back to start a new year of school. It was also a wonderful time to recognize and the member and friends of the congregation that are 90 + years of age.   To celebrate...

I lost an aunt this past May. She was my mother’s only sister. That leaves me with only one other living relative in my parent’s generation. This prompted Wanda and I to take a trip at the beginning of August to Indiana, where one of my cousins and his family live. My...

One of the best signs of health and vitality in any organization is when there is a ongoing flow of new people wishing to join. We have had several people join the congregation already in 2023 and others are likely to join in the coming months. Clearly, this...

I recently came across a prayer written by Sue Ellen Herne, a member of the Mohawk tribe. It is found in The United Methodist Book of Worship (#558).  In this summer of record-breaking heat and wildfires across North America and Europe I found this a helpful prayer to...

This year I am an astronaut. Last year a train conductor. Over the past few years, I have been a mad scientist, a surfer, a safari guide, Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid (from the Harry Potter books), and a deserted island castaway. When Vacation Bible School comes...