Summer Break. We made it? The anxiety of remote learning for this middle school family has finally released its grip. Gone (at least for a little while) are the weekly assignments; we no longer have to remember the 2,036 internet login codes for different learning platforms; our schedules are not dictated by a complicated and … Continued

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960) penned more than 1200 poems, including the hymns “Living for Jesus” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The latter was written in 1923 while Chisholm, … Continued

Even though we are not worshipping at church, the mission garden is still growing.  We recently donated our lettuce crop and broccoli to North Raleigh Ministries.  The summer vegetables we have planted include tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, cucumber, okra and even melon plants!  Karen Brewer and Joanne Thompson are diligently watering to keep these veggies growing.    Feel … Continued

I’ve been thinking lately about how we live in a culture that talks over one another. I see it play out on all my screens (TV, computer, phone). Conversations filled with opinions and platitudes swirl around me. Everyone seems to be throwing out ideas which are tested, tried, argued, pushed, and ignored. There are so … Continued

The familiar hymn, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” was written as a poem in 1830 by Ray Palmer (1808-1887) when he was in New York City.  Palmer had completed college at Yale University, was teaching at a ladies school in New York, and was preparing for theological studies and ministerial ordination.  Palmer, who was … Continued

in Kindness a letter from Pastor Chrissy On January 1, 2020, we began our year of kindness. We named the campaign, “Kindness Starts Here,” and planned a 12-month lineup of different topics that would help us focus our kindness to specific areas of our lives. We knew we had much to learn about practicing kindness … Continued

Don’t let me fall As a stone falls upon the hard ground. And don’t let my hands become dry As the twigs of a tree When the wind beats down the last leaves. And when the storm raises dust from the earth With anger and howling, Don’t let me become the last fly Trembling terrified … Continued

A pilgrim is a faithful person who is on a journey. The destination changes through time and circumstance and culture, but a pilgrim is on the move. Historically, when Christian pilgrims would travel to Jerusalem they would carry the Psalms with them. One of the Psalms that was used quite often is Psalm 84. Blessed … Continued

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians that we “should give thanks in all circumstances”. I have had to remind myself lately that there are things to be thankful for, even in a pandemic.I remember clearly when COVID-19 became real to me and I realized that it would impact the way I minister. It was just a few … Continued

It’s official! My family’s life has gone completely off the rails. Eight weeks of stay-at-home orders, teleworking, hunting for hand sanitizer like it was the Holy Grail, homeschooling, and running a short-order grill has reduced us to utter chaos. If you are wondering what the exact moment looked like when we realized our helpless state, … Continued