Services

Despair and Possibility

It often seems as though we are living in an era of despair. There are signs of despair all around us—including increased suicide rates, soaring rates of addiction to opioids, and a general sense of weariness and foreboding. What are the alternatives to despair, and how might we make the turn from despair to possibility, … Continued

Stages of Life

Each day, while just living our usual routines, we often have interactions with others. Regardless of who we are, or what our situations may be, one thing that each of us shares in common is our ability to “possibly” impact another person, no matter how simple the interaction may be. How can having access to … Continued

The Meaning of Death: What My Young Daughter Taught Me

Children have a way of bringing us face-to-face with what matters most in life. In this, I am reminded of when my first child, my daughter, taught me how to deal with death, when she was just three-years-old. Carl Johnson took part in a year-long sermon writing class facilitated by Rev. Jim. Sermons by other … Continued

Doing and Being

We tend to define ourselves by what we do, what we have done, or what we plan to do. We ask children what they plan to do when they grow up, and when we meet new people one the first questions is often “What do you do?” But is all this “doing” what really gives … Continued

The Space Between

We live in a highly divided world, one where we are separated by politics, fear, the news media, and many other ways. It’s hard to remember to look for points of connection and common experience sometimes. What if, in our interactions with others and ourselves, we focused on the relationship, thinking that it is in … Continued

The Blessings and Challenges of Growth

Sometimes we tire of “opportunities for growth” as they can be extremely challenging and exhausting. For us, both as individuals and as members of a larger community, growth can be difficult at times. But it is also rewarding and the only healthy way forward. This service will focus on both the blessings and the challenges … Continued

Dark Times and the Human Spirit

There are certain times in human history which can seem dark with conflict and uncertainty. Our current era seems to be one of those times during which our moral fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit are put to the test. How will we respond?

What Comes After Your Ellipses?

Have you ever considered what comes after the words we use to describe ourselves? When we say we are mothers, fathers, siblings, and whatever other words we use, does it end there with a period, signifying that we are only our labels? Or do those descriptive sentences end with ellipses… those three dots that indicate … Continued

Blues Theology

Some of the best music you will ever hear has emerged from a place of persecution and oppression, and, rather than dwelling in hopelessness and despair, has proclaimed through its very existence and through its great beauty that there is something more.  This service will explore theology as a genre of the blues. (Our designated … Continued

Decoration Day

The true origins of Memorial Day are rarely discussed, but the holiday began in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War when African Americans, newly freed from chattel slavery, conducted a series of commemorations to express their sense of the meaning of the war. This service will explore the deep roots of Memorial Day and … Continued