Pastor’s Blog (Page 3)

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 →

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 →

This past week at our Northern Illinois Annual Conference, Bishop Schwerin appointed me to serve as your pastor at the United Methodist Church of Geneva for the fourth consecutive year. It is with joy and gratitude that I share this news with you. Each year, our bishops and their cabinets review the appointments of every pastor in our conference, ensuring that the needs of both the churches and the pastors are met in the most effective ways possible. You might be curious about how this process works. In the United Methodist Church, clergy appointments are made on an annual basis. This tradition is rooted inRead More →

We are past the COVID protections that forced the church into the digital age, but we are experiencing the beautiful convergence of online and in-person ways of being a church. I think this blend of virtual and physical gatherings enriches our congregation and strengthens the bonds that unite us in faith and fellowship and could benefit from greater intentionality. In the past week, we celebrated several wonderful instances where those who worship primarily online made meaningful in-person connections. These moments not only highlight the seamless integration of our online and in-person communities but also serve as a testament to the power of God’s grace workingRead More →

In Hebrews 13:2, we are reminded to “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” This powerful verse captures the essence of what it means to extend grace through hospitality, a theme that resonates deeply with our recent experiences at UMCG. As we reflect on these moments, we celebrate the ways in which our congregation has embodied this call to welcome and care for others, truly entertaining angels in our midst. One of the most poignant demonstrations of hospitality occurred last week during the memorial service for John Fasbender. This event was a profound testament toRead More →

‘Thank you’ a lot. ‘I think it’s so great the church does this.’ ‘Can I get more?’ ‘I really like your sermons.’   ‘Your church does so much for our community.’ Then after flipping pancakes, I visited with the other stations and volunteers before I greeted folks, sat with some diners and heard their stories. And I woke up Tuesday, to write my blog and realized how much our Pancake Breakfast is a way we embody our mission and values.   Our mission at the United Methodist Church of Geneva is to “illuminate our community with God’s grace as we lovingly accept, listen to, andRead More →

This past Sunday we celebrated confirmation. In keeping with the series on Making a Methodist, I preached about the means of grace, the outward and tangible signs of God’s inward love in our lives. These means of grace are conduits in which we can experience and share in God’s unconditional love for us. Confirmation is one of these means of grace. Along with our two sacraments baptism and communion, John Wesley identified several other means of grace: prayer, scripture reading and study, fellowship, fasting, worship and serving others. The whole service on Sunday was filled with means of grace. This little two-year-old often hangs outRead More →

About the time that this is published on Friday, I’ll be in the dentist’s chair getting my regular cleaning. About a month ago, I got an email that kind of looked like the graphic above asking me to click to confirm or call to reschedule. Then last Friday, I got another one. I appreciate these reminders. I thought my appointment was the week prior and that I had missed it! We’re celebrating confirmation with three of our students this Sunday – Liv Cahill, Jaclyn Eakins, and Charlie Popplewell – along with students from Baker Memorial, Batavia, and Wesley Aurora United Methodist Churches. Confirmation is muchRead More →