Why a “Festival of the Dead”? We need it. “Totenfest” is the name in German for the worship activities which honor the departed, and doing so in a way that is both thankful remembrance AND tender eternal connection. It’s a human instinct for the well-being we know in tending wholesome ties to our ancestors and…
That’s not the FIRST verse I thought of after church Sunday, when I know the quality of worship was compromised by the internet quality in sanctuary. I was disappointed, as it seems each week there’s progress and bumps all together. But surely I locked into gratitude for your and our patience as I pondered how…
Carla too. Just when you thought you nailed me as square as heck, living under a rock, etc… Yes, I/we are groupies. Whenever folksinger Carrie Newcomer is within range, off we go. Have seen her more than a dozen times, for sure. So many Pre-COVID memories to savor! And to hope for as we all…
That could be the first line of the next verses of the beloved hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” which we’ll enjoy tomorrow. A highlight of my week was showing two of the Tuesday kids the sanctuary, and hearing/seeing/feeling a young 5-year old angel who saw it for the first time. ‘WOW! She exclaimed,…
“Let there be light” certainly is drawn from the Genesis 1 text we’ll be reflecting on this Sunday, as we turn to our Fall season of treasuring teachings and stories of our Jewish ancestors. Why not start at the beginning? “Let there be light” might also refer to the parlor lights (or others) now fixed…
Many churches across the Body of Christ celebrate a “Rally Day” near the beginning of the program year, with the end of summer and routine programs resuming. At Eden historically it has a very clear focus on our children and youth Christian Education opportunities. (This will be more subtle Sunday, and interwoven into activities of…
In the Christian rhythm of the ages, we have steadily hosted worship weekly on Sunday mornings every week since March 22nd. Worship attendance has been steady, arguably “up” in comparative summer terms. We never closed. We continued fellowshipping and learning on Tuesdays, and praying on Wednesdays (online and then later in the sanctuary). Some have…
That’s one thing on my mind as I think of labors (and labor pains) of all kinds. Read more at this lovely prayer-poem. And metaphors of God’s intention such as the pottery creation (throat clearing, and pottery discarding…) which we read about in Jeremiah. I ask myself: Am I shape-able? I’m also constantly wrestling with the…
Quite a few projects are on my plate. A gaggle of thoughts are on my mind. A few and diverse streams of feelings on my heart. Since you might guess I like to write, you can be assured I could write an epistle every day if I had the stamina. 🙂 Here’s one thing. I’ve…
Loving each other is not just a part of the Greatest Commandment. It’s the Greatest Invitation. The Greatest Promise. Did you know that some scholars of the Ten Commandments believe the verbs are not really best translated “Thou Shalt Not”… but instead “You will not”? That is, God is laying out a vision of the people…
