Sticky
By:
On:
In: Guest Blog, Pastor's Blog

Summertime growing up in rural Iowa usually meant family reunions to see relatives, playing the annual softball game, hearing stories of past gatherings and “where the kids are now”, showcasing vintage photos and scrapbooks along with an endless buffet of family favorite casseroles, salads, hot-pepper jelly, as well as a counter-top full of other “not-on-my-diet” goodies.  Do you have similar family reunion experiences?  (It really sounds like a Methodist-approved event with all the food.) I can still see my folks much more excited than me to rekindle conversations with family.  I was, of course like many of us, a very busy person with high school/college/professionalRead More →

Sticky
By:
On:
In: Pastor's Blog

Many of you know that I take a week at the end of summer with a preacher friend or two and head off to the Wet Mountain Valley. We use a cabin that is off-the-grid and in the trees where I can quietly pray and prepare for the coming year. Bringing other preacher friends helps each of us refine our ideas. This annual sermon planning retreat isn’t quite like when Moses goes up Mount Sinai where God dictates the law and then he came back down. My process is far more democratic and drawn out, but no less divinely inspired. First, I spend a wholeRead More →

Sticky
By:
On:
In: Pastor's Blog

Every once in a while, our staff have to remind me that I’ve been digging into tough topics in my blog and perhaps readers would benefit from something lighter. They’ve been right so far. I’m sure that this is true in this season of blogging as well. This week, I want to tell you about a very special cookbook and leave you with one of our favorite summer recipes from our Hamilton Family Cookbook. Just over 19 years ago, the church that raised me, Plattville United Methodist Church, threw Meghan and me a wedding shower. One of the gifts we received was a recipe book.Read More →

Sticky
By:
On:
In: Pastor's Blog

I share our Bishop’s concern about the rise of White Christian Nationalism and so I am continuing my writing on this topic that started on Memorial Day weekend, finding Independence Day to be apropos. Beyond the fireworks, parades, and social gatherings that marked our observance of this important day it’s important to consider how we can continue to honor our country’s principles while remaining vigilant against ideologies that distort them, such as Christian Nationalism. Let me take a moment to define the distinctions and ground us in our faith. Understanding Patriotism Patriotism is a deep love for, and commitment to, one’s country. It is aRead More →