Sermons for September 2018

I’ve never been a morning person. My body just does not like to wake up and get out of bed. I’m crabby and no fun to be around. It’s worse in the dark fall and winter seasons. A few months ago, though, I began a new morning habit. I creep downstairs and tend to a… Read More

This sermon was inspired by Margaret Aymer, Professor of the New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas; Hildegard of Bingen; writers from the Washington Post, and the rapper Kendrick Lamar.             The letter begins like this: July 30 2018 CONFIDENTIAL “Senator Dianne Feinstein Dear Senator Feinstein; I am writing with information relevant… Read More

A few weeks ago, a young man named Mohammed rang the church doorbell. “I saw your sign,” he said. “Immigrants and refugees, welcome. That’s me. I’m a refugee from Somalia.” He was looking for help with a problem getting his green card. He had taken our banner very literally—thinking it meant we were an agency… Read More

Our family traveled to Ireland and Scotland as part of my sabbatical last summer. One drizzly morning in Belfast, Jen and the kids explored the amazing Titanic Museum while I investigated family history at the PRONI (Public Records Office of Northern Ireland). The amount of information in that place was overwhelming; I was completely lost… Read More