Sermon: See Only Jesus

"See Only Jesus" (Feb.  22, 2009 - Transfiguration) When the cloud rolled awy on the mountaintop, the disciples saw only Jesus. How do we see only Jesus and show only Jesus to the world in our structures, our worship, and our service? (Mark 9:2-9)

40 ways for 40 days

We're all carbon addicts. We live lives dependent on goods and services being moved to where we are and dependent on our own ability to travel, buy, and use. I practice a couple of Lenten disciplines, usually centering around taking on something rather than giving something up (most often, an additional spiritual practice like extra…

Tales of the Pregger Pastor, episode 1

We've been wanting to conceive a second child for a long time, and it is a joy, honestly. But there are some hard things about being pregnant, especially in the first trimester, which is where I am. The worst of it (well, aside from the nausea, and the eating for the sake of keeping the…

Sermon: Time to Refuel

"Time to Refuel" (Feb. 8, 2009) We can get worn thin and start to run on empty, but Jesus teaches us that even we (even he!) need to take time in prayer in our own way to fill our batteries again. (Mark 1:29-39)

Flying again

I'm headed out of town again tomorrow after church. This time, I'm going to the young UMC clergy forum in Washington D.C., hosted by the Board of Church and Society. And this time, I'm bringing my laptop, so I won't be depending on my iPhone to blog with.

It breaks my heart

If you haven't seen this video yet, check it out. And understand what I mean when I say that I support the sacred gift that is love and marriage where chosen. "Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo. (grr. Embed fail. click "fidelity")

Um, Pastor, didn’t I see you at the State House?

Tomorrow is Visibility Day at the Vermont State House. It is a day for all those who support equal marriage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to be seen and heard, to talk with their representatives, and to give voice to their support of full equality in marriage. I plan to be in attendance.…

Turning Worlds Upside-Down 3

Keynote on Eliminating Poverty/Workshop: Eliminating Poverty as a means of Congregational Revitalization (this would have been a powerful time to hear some firsthand stories of those who've lived or are living in poverty. there was a Rwandan refugee who lived in a camp in Malawi in my workshop later; I wish everyone could have heard…

Turning Worlds Upside-Down 2

Keynote on Congregational Development New places for new people and renewal of existing congregtions In the early days of the UMC, we started one new church per day. Hearing stories of new church plants here (what is a successful plant? why is it so often buying a building in the suburbs and moving out of…