Author Archives: reallifepastor

‘Tis the season!’  But ‘tis the season for what?  According to any retail outlet, since about mid-October it’s been the Christmas season, the season to buy, buy, buy!  Does it sometimes feel as if the retailers get the better end … Continue reading →

At its annual meeting in October, the Florida Conference of the UCC approved a resolution for adoption by the national church’s General Synod next summer in support of people who are transgender.  (Copies…)  Working on the resolution with a team … Continue reading →

            Dressed in overalls and a flannel shirt, environmental poet Wendell Berry leaned against the podium in our seminary ethics class deep in thought.  “If I can imagine it, I can do it,” he’d just told us.  We waited, watching something … Continue reading →

Today’s Gospel lesson–the raising of Lazarus–is an odd text for All Saints Sunday.  Here we are, remembering people who have died this year, including our beloved UCT members, AJ, Sue, and Laura.  Others of us have lost children, siblings, fathers, … Continue reading →

  A colleague told me about the time a friend came out to her.  “We were talking,” she said, “when Lisa told me she’d recently come out.”  My friend confessed that she was surprised by the comment and, quite truthfully, … Continue reading →

Perhaps no other passage of Scripture sums up so well the intent of World Communion Sunday as the one we’ve just heard.  Yes, there are differences–big differences–among followers of Jesus.  Sometimes, from our perspective, people who call themselves Christian don’t … Continue reading →

Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) || Woodstock (We Are Stardust) Is that not the most brilliant song ever?  I was too young when Woodstock happened to even know it was going on, but I do remember this song from the … Continue reading →

        “They should have sent a poet!”  That’s what scientist Ellie Arroway says when the hatch on her space capsule opens to a new, breathtaking world.  “There are no words to describe it!” she says.  “It’s so beautiful.  I had no … Continue reading →

It’s a full day here at United Church in Tallahassee!  Baptisms, communion, AND the beginning of our month-long celebration of the liturgical season of creation.  It’s a lot to weave together in one worship service!  But we get a good … Continue reading →

Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble // when you’re perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror // ‘cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me // I must … Continue reading →