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This winter has been a rough one for many pastors, especially in the United Methodist Church. Between constantly-breaking political news and the conflict of General Conference, not to mention a “bomb cyclone” of rain, wind, and snow for much of the Rocky Mountain region this week, the wilderness of Lent seems to be upon us … Continue reading Take a Break in the Wilderness: Join Us for Spring Worship Planning Retreats
General Conference 2019 is over. The Traditional Plan passed, though large parts of it have been and are expected to again be declared unconstitutional. This means that the voting delegates from around the world voted decisively (about 47% to 53%) to retain a ban on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, with stricter and … Continue reading Looking for God’s Glory Even As We Grieve
by Rev. Kerry Greenhill © 2019 These liturgies for Sunday, February 24, 2019, were written as part of the worship series "From Glory to Glory: Following the Spirit from Epiphany to Transfiguration." They were written with the Special Session of General Conference (UMC) in mind, and weaving together the lectionary texts with the fruit of … Continue reading Sowing Seeds of Resurrection Life
by Rev. Denise Bender The Gospels tell us that Jesus often spoke to and about people who are poor during his earthly life and ministry. Yet for churches in middle-class or higher settings, youth may have little interaction with people living in poverty, and may not realize the many challenges that come with low or … Continue reading A Unique Lesson on Poverty for Youth
By Rev. Kerry Greenhill © 2019 The United Methodist Church is preparing for a special Called Session of General Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, next week to pray, worship, discuss, discern, deliberate, and vote on several possible plans for how we might move forward as a denomination that is deeply divided over the extent to … Continue reading A Blessing for Delegates to General Conference
By Rev. Kerry Greenhill The path of vocational, set-apart ministry makes no claims or promises to be an easy one. We who are called to continue Jesus’ work of servant leadership by proclaiming the Word, serving with compassion, working for justice, and assisting with the sacramental life of the Church know that this work will … Continue reading Living into Our Gifts and Callings
By Rev. Nani Arning “A comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.” This quote struck me as absolute truth when it has come to ministry. It’s comfortable to be in a place where I know what to do and how to do it, until it’s challenged. Life is about growth and … Continue reading Reflections on Five Years of Sacred Stones Ministries
By Rev. Denise Bender A little over five years ago, four clergywomen, all ordained United Methodist deacons, serendipitously decided to seek a new and unique way to bridge the church with the world. The paradigm shift in Christianity today is focused on how the church can be the gospel in the world, instead of merely … Continue reading Sacred Stones Ministries Celebrates Five Years
by Rev. Kerry Greenhill © 2019 Based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Call to Worship One: It would be more convenient to be independent, lone ranger Christians who can find our own path, not beholden to others or woven into their lives in any significant way. Many: But we are the body of Christ, and individually … Continue reading One Body, Many Members: Liturgy for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany
God and Hamilton: Spiritual Themes from the Life of Alexander Hamilton & the Broadway Musical He Inspired By Kevin Cloud Reviewed by Kerry Greenhill In God and Hamilton, Kevin Cloud has written a thoughtful exploration of twelve spiritual themes found in Alexander Hamilton’s life and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s phenomenal Broadway musical: Grace, Shame, Faith, Initiative, The … Continue reading Book Review: God and Hamilton
