Sermon: Christmas is Coming, George Bailey!

"Christmas is Coming, George Bailey!" (December 15, 2013) George Bailey is at the end of his rope, unable to see a way forward, when Hope breaks into his life, against all odds. Can we learn from his story that hope can enter again, in unlikely places and through unlikely people, and to respond with compassion…

On Veteran’s Day

Yesterday afternoon, a 35-year-old veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the middle of the Occupy Burlington encampment in City Park (read/view the stories from the local news and the AP). While many have been quick to rush to judgements and political statements about the occupy movement, my colleague Mark reminds us not to…

“Words Matter” guest blog post by Rev. Bri Desotell

This sermon, "Words Matter," was preached in observation of Children's Sabbath on 10/10/10 by the Reverend Bri Desotell, United Methodist pastor in Oscoda, Michigan. It is reprinted here with permission. Words Matter This is not the sermon I intended to preach today. You can ask my husband: this week, we’ve talked about this passage from…

Grieving Well

I deal a lot in the business of death and, more importantly, its aftermath, and the ability to hopefully mourn well. We do ourselves and our loved ones a great service when we are able to honor and say goodbye to them, and process the pain and the loss in our lives at the same…

The Hardest Day of My Ministry to Date

And also, probably (because of that), my best. This morning was supposed to be back-to-sunday school day, a time to focus on kids and sing "Jesus Loves Me" and talk about how Jesus wanted the little children to come to him. And we did that. For about fifteen minutes. And then the kids left the…