Here are two intimately reflective essays by clergy leaders about best ways to start this new year, 2018, with a healthy and right spirit. Each column, republished with permission from their church newsletters…
Spiritual decluttering: A fresh start for a new year
One of the wonderful things about each new year is that it brings with it a sense of a new beginning, 365 days of promise and possibility. Some use this time to bring freshness to their lives…
Some Christmas reading to inspire your spirit of the season
Are you “all in,” or want to be, when it comes to having and sharing the spirit of Christmas? Got time to do some light reading that just might bolster your spirit of the season? Check out our denomination’s official …
Living the Reformation
Jesus is known by many names: Emmanuel, Advocate, King of Kings, Rock of Ages, Teacher, Messiah, Good Shepherd, Bright and Morning Star, Bridegroom, Great Physician, the Holy One, the Man of Sorrows, the Living Bread, Son of David, the Carpenter’s …
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Exchanging gifts is an honored tradition for many Native American peoples. Sherry Wack will exchange the gift of visitation on Sunday, Nov. 19, when she leads her congregation in celebrating Native American Ministries Sunday…
Prayer shawls cover disaster victims in love
Paola Rosas Weed learned that her large family had survived the devastating earthquake that struck Mexico City in September. But she knew that, having left their homes and living in their cars and makeshift shelters…
UMC Forum: “Why I Am United Methodist”
Read commentary from the UMC.org forum “Many Voices, One Faith,” a diverse, global community seeking to build an understanding of what it means to be a United Methodist today. Current Topic: “Why I Am United Methodist.”
The promise, practice and power of prayer
“Rise Up and Pray!” Do you remember that imperative call of our recent Annual Conference, to lift our heads, hands and hearts in prayer to our almighty, all-loving God? What about Draw the Circle: The 40-Day Prayer Challenge, the Rev. Mark Batterson’s…
From Wilderness to Joy
A Laity Retreat Message by Sharon White, CLM, of Grace Community UMC, Chester, PA. Wilderness: In order to come out of the wilderness we must first recognize that we are in the wilderness, acknowledge the one who can bring us out of the wilderness, follow God’s direction…
Understanding human suffering from disasters
Sometimes the devastation is overwhelming. The waters rise and the rain won’t stop. The ground shakes beneath our feet, or the wind blows the roofs off homes…