ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 30, 2023Today is the day that Donna and I celebrate the anniversary of our wedding ceremony. Though we will celebrate without much fanfare today (we are going on a cruise later in January as our official hoopla), it remains a day filled with memory and immeasurable joy. As I often say, it is ONLY by the grace of God that another human being has put up
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 29, 2023In just a few days, our lives will forever change. We will make dramatic resolutions that will shift the trajectory of our individual lives, and then we’ll see the world change around us. And a day or two later, most of us will find ourselves slipping back into our old habits and long-held practices. Ok, some of you are thinking that I’m being a bit
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 28, 2023Open mouth—insert foot! Recently, I had a real doozy. On December 17, our newest ministry venture, the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling group, met for lunch immediately after worship. If you remember, we received a grant from the Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Over lunch, around 20 people gathered for an initial conversation that we hope to expand to more and more people, both folks
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 27, 2023So often, I wake up on Christmas morning in a sort of fog from the Christmas Eve experience. There have been years where I didn’t remember things very clearly, but this year was very different. Though we had four services and I preached three separate sermons, I felt more present in the experience than most years. Quite often, we clergy need to worship outside of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 26, 2023Let me begin by giving a big thank you to those who were guest Etching writers last week: James Seymour, Chip Bettis, Paula Byrd, Marilyn Lewellen, Paula Gembala, and Robert Neunkirch. I loved how each of them was very unique, sharing a personal experience that spoke to the moment. And to be honest, it was a gift to me beyond enjoying what they wrote. I
MERRY CHRISTMASECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 25, 2023Guest Writer: Robert Neunkirch Five years ago, our little Emmalina came into the world facing more challenges than anyone should ever have to endure. Our baby girl was a fighter from Day 1 and had no desire to stay in the hospital any longer than necessary. She was expected to be in the NICU for some time. We were hopeful she could come home by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 24, 2023Guest Writer: Rev. Paula Gembala I grew up in a large family, there were 6 of us kids, and our parents. When we were younger, our parents used to give each of us a set amount of money for us to go out and buy Christmas gifts for each other. It wasn’t a lot of money so it really took some thinking and searching for just
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 23, 2023Guest Writer: Marilyn Lewellen, Elder It was about 20 Christmas’ ago that I received the most unusual phone call. The tremoring, aged voice in my ear asked for me by name, or at least, SOMEONE with my name. But I didn’t recognize the caller, and I suggested he had the wrong number. Clearly, this unexpected caller was disturbed with my “wrong number” response. He confirmed my
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 22, 2023Guest Writer: Paula Byrd, ElderBack in the early 1980s after I had finished college and got my first real “full time” job, I remember how hard it was for me to have to work the week of Christmas. I hadn’t earned any vacation time yet so I had to work a half day on Monday, Christmas Eve, and then be back in the office on
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 21, 2023Guest Writer: Chip Bettis, ElderI was in the US Navy and stationed in Pearl Harbor sub base, and it was my first Christmas away from home. I received a care package from family and that made all the difference in the world. My family sent me a care package that had the things in it that reminded me of Christmas at home. When I think of