Good Friday, April 7, 12 – 3 pm All are welcome to walk the labyrinths at Church of the Palms UCC for a self-directed 30-minute walk, with a printed guide provided for pauses at the ‘stations of the cross’ to read a brief Biblical text and prayer. Volunteers will be available to assist walkers. Chairs… Continue reading Good Friday “Stations of the Cross” Labyrinth Walk
Author: Web Admin
Connecting names and faces challenges all of us
Have you ever wondered what the name of the person sitting beside you on the pew? They just introduced themselves, but you haven’t a clue what they said. Plus, recalling their story (where they are from, what did they retire from, who is their family, etc) can be even more perplexing to our memory. Connecting names… Continue reading Connecting names and faces challenges all of us
A place of safety, healing, and peace for grieving people
More than any other time in my ministry, I am aware of people grieving. We grieve all sorts of things: death, loss of independence, loss of income, loss of physical attributes, loss of relationships. The list is long and powerfully personal. To address this monumental ministry, Rev. Shea Darian started working with our leadership. How… Continue reading A place of safety, healing, and peace for grieving people
Keeping it real
Ever get the feeling that you can’t ask those kinds of questions at church, let alone in private? You know, those inquiries – the tough, keep-you-at-wake-at-night, soul-stirring, self-examining questions! The ones not answered in a 15-second sound bite. Lent is a marvelous time for us to look at ourselves and see what we need to… Continue reading Keeping it real
Doing Grief™ Community Healing Project is Here for You
The Healing Project at The Church of the Palms offers these special events and programs in March: Sunday, March 19th: Morning Worship Commissioning Service & Dedication of our “Interfaith Chapel for Healing.” Rev. Shea Darian will be preaching. Prayer Shawls will be dedicated. Team members and volunteers for the Healing Project will be blessed. Saturday,… Continue reading Doing Grief™ Community Healing Project is Here for You
Why is it important to remember Lent?
The season of Lent is, to my mind, the most unusual season of all. Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany are filled with expectation, warmth, and wonder. Easter is full of joy. The Day of Pentecost is filled with excitement. Ordinary time (the time between Pentecost Sunday and Advent) describes much of my life—ordinary. But Lent is… Continue reading Why is it important to remember Lent?
Coming face-to-face with ourselves
The ashes are still lingering from last week. We gathered with our sibling Sun City Churches and religious leaders of our respective denominations to confess our corporate and private shortcomings in our community Ash Wednesday service. It marked the beginning of Lent for us. Lent is a time of self-examination – when we look at… Continue reading Coming face-to-face with ourselves
The three things required for our mission
“Wherever you are on your journey,” the UCC slogan goes, “you are welcome here!” Although we might all be in different places on our individual journeys, we come together to live our mission: Sharing God’s Unconditional Love, Justice, and Extravagant Welcome! What does it take to come together to live our mission? And how do… Continue reading The three things required for our mission
Our New Sacred Place: Notes from the Mission and Outreach Team & Social Justice Action Team
A sacred place is defined as a space distinguished from other spaces. The rituals that a people either practice at a place or direct toward it mark its sacredness and differentiate it from other defined spaces. At The Church of The Palms, we have several sacred spaces: Our beautiful Sanctuary, the Memorial Garden, our Chapel,… Continue reading Our New Sacred Place: Notes from the Mission and Outreach Team & Social Justice Action Team
Well, last week was certainly different!
I didn’t plan on getting sick and missing time at work. I am grateful for Pastor Jim, caring congregational leaders, and for resources that allowed me time away from work to get well. I’m glad that I at least got to video my way into the worship service. Self-care is not something at which I… Continue reading Well, last week was certainly different!