Category Archives: Uncategorized

This time last year, the sanctuary was being painted…which meant that I wasn’t able to record worship services in the sanctuary.  Because September is the Season of Creation, and because we live in these beautiful mountains, that wasn’t a problem … Continue reading →

On July 11, we had a congregational conversation about whether or not to invite a third party in to help us work through some conflict we’ve been having in the church.  Because one of the issues we, as a congregation, … Continue reading →

In October 2001, I read an article about a 13 year old Afghan girl named Naheed.  “Beating is nothing if we only can learn” is a direct quote from Naheed.  So stunned was I by the statement, that I wrote … Continue reading →

Welcome.  Welcome to worship with First Congregational in Asheville.  I usually try to begin our services on an upbeat note.  I’ll get there eventually today, but I want to say some other things first. We are living in dire times.  … Continue reading →

Oh, how good it is to be back with you!  Wayne Muller, author of the book, Sabbath, says “the Sabbath rocks us and holds us until we can remember who we are.”  The time away–for a retreat with Women Touched … Continue reading →

As I was thinking about today’s worship service–a prelude to today’s congregational conversations–I read the text assigned for August 29th:  “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”  A perfect intro to conversations on how better to communicate … Continue reading →

“Prophetic Listening” Mark 6:1-6 Have we achieved our country?  Author James Baldwin was the first to ask the question in his 1963 book, The Fire Next Time.  In his 1998 collection of lectures, Achieving Our Country, Richard Rorty picks up … Continue reading →

Jesus and his disciples have been criss-crossing the Lake of Tiberias, teaching, healing, and sharing the good news of God’s love.  At today’s stop, Jesus gets out of the boat and prepares to teach the crowd that has gathered.  As … Continue reading →

In the days leading up to the storm, Jesus was busy.  He taught, he healed, he argued with religious leaders who criticized his teaching and healing.  Crowds followed him everywhere: to his house, to the synagogue, to the lake.  Sometimes … Continue reading →

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 →