Six Scriptures
We are nearing the end of our Twelve Scriptures summer worship series. After this Sunday, focused on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, we have only one Sunday remaining. It has been a rich time whose learnings can hopefully keep informing the mission of the congregation long after the series ends. …
The edge of the inside
I came across a new phrase that I especially like while reading some Richard Rohr: “The edge of the inside.” Rohr, a Franciscan, uses this phrase to talk about his own relationship with the church and religious life, and commends it as a privileged position from which to see and…
Love as hospitality
The church building is full with activity during the evenings this week with Vacation Bible School. The theme, “Give and receive God’s great love,” is a nice continuation of our worship focus for the last three weeks during this portion of the Twelve Scriptures Project. As has been alluded to…
After Skyping, a poem
Thoughts after a phone call and Skype session with my daughters and wife who have been in Kansas for nearly three weeks and are returning tomorrow. “I forgot what you looked like,” laughed the six year old, coming into view, smiling with two less teeth than before, and…
A morning in court
One of the privileges of being a pastor is having a window into the many ways people in this congregation serve the community in their professional lives. I spent my morning with Joe Mas, a CMCer who is a criminal defense attorney downtown working especially with the Spanish speaking population. …
A weekend in Madison with CDC
Last weekend I was one of four Columbus Mennonite delegates to the Central District Conference annual gathering, hosted by Madison Mennonite Church in Wisconsin. Yep, Wisconsin. And we didn’t have near as far to drive as folks coming from Harrisonburg, Virginia or Pittsburgh, PA. Atlanta and Sarasota, Florida folks flew. …
Crooked timber marriages
I’ve been noticing a lot of wedding anniversaries within CMC recently. June is a good time to get married, and Abbie and I have been a part of that club for 13 years now. On Tuesday David Brooks wrote a lovely Op-Ed in the NY Times called “Rhapsody in Realism,…
Church amidst differences
We had a nice vacation with Abbie’s family in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. A highlight: having childcare back at the cabin while Abbie and I hiked to a waterfall and old growth part of the national forest. I’m writing this from the basement of the church where I was…
Softball formation
School’s out, summer has begun, and Eve has started softball practice. With baseball having been a significant part of my life from an early age, I can’t help but be involved as an assistant coach. Isn’t the standard progression of childhood development sit up, crawl, walk, run around the bases? …
Final 12 Scriptures
And the winners are… Our 12 Scriptures have been finalized. Thanks to all who submitted lists, and to the group that helped collect, group, tally, and discern (it’s not as easy as it may seem). The list of the “Troubling 6” is still being worked on. I’ve listed the 12…
