Monthly Archives: May 2022

On a visit to Jerusalem, Jesus stops by the BethZatha pool.  On five porches surrounding the pool lie people in need of healing.  Ancient versions of this story explain that “an angel of God went down at certain seasons into … Continue reading →

Last week, we heard the story about Peter going to Joppa and raising Dorcas from the dead.  Grieving their beloved friend, mourners showed Peter all the garments Dorcas had made and told him about all the acts of charity in … Continue reading →

Holy One, It’s Mother’s Day.  Chances are good we’ve got some feelings about that… Some of us feel gratitude:  for excellent mothering we have received– from birth mothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, surrogate mothers, and as one child said, “twin mommies.” … Continue reading →

Last Fall, when Kathy Heinz let me know the UCT Search Committee wanted to meet with me, I did what you all probably did when I became your pastoral candidate:  I stalked you.  That stalking process included searching for United … Continue reading →

What do you do when life keeps throwing you curveballs, when you wake up every day to a new reality?  After settling into a pattern of working with Jesus to teach and heal, suddenly–boom!  Jesus is arrested and executed.  Then, … Continue reading →

How well do you know this kitchen?  For instance, do you know how many ovens are in this kitchen?  (Responses)  Let’s see… Yes!  Three. How many sinks are in this kitchen?   (Responses) What about this one? And did you … Continue reading →

What brings you here today?  Is this the one day each year you come to church?  Or maybe you come to church every week, rain or shine.  “What?  Today’s Easter?  Cool.”  Or maybe you bought a new hat last September … Continue reading →

What a week it had been–the joyous crowds ushering you into Jerusalem for the Passover festival.  Teaching, healing, worshiping in the Temple, mobbed by crowds everywhere you went.   And a mounting tension…something you couldn’t put your finger on, but knew … Continue reading →

Hi.  It’s hard to believe our time together is ending.  Things were so different–in our church and in the world–four years ago, when I became your pastor.  But the crucible of the pandemic has clarified many things.  For me, clarity … Continue reading →

Uncle Bobby Joe had the gift of food.  He could cook up a mess of just about anything and feed a crowd of just about any size.  When Uncle Bobby moved back to the family farm and designed his mobile … Continue reading →