The sabbatical is getting close. Like a kid approaching Christmas day, I can see it, but it is not here yet. It does, however, occupy much of my thoughts like sugarplums dancing in head. I’m famous for my to-do-lists. My family constantly makes fun of me and my lists. But it is the only way… Continue reading We’re Getting Close
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
Just a few more weeks until…
Yeah, I’m still here. And I’m trying to finish these last few weeks before Sabbatical—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I begin with two words: Thank you! Thank you for these past six years in which we have journeyed together. There are so many instances where I have seen God at work within the walls of this church… Continue reading Just a few more weeks until…
Pulchritudinous
“Lantana is a high maintenance weed that will take over in the summer and die back in the winter. I hate it.” Yep. That’s what I said, and it is how I felt for most of my adult life. I have removed established lantana bushes from many yards. Until… Until is a powerful word. It… Continue reading Pulchritudinous
Tuning our Ears for a Sabbatical
Sabbaticals are a time for tuning our ears for listening carefully, for discerning the texture and quality of our own paths, for attending to God’s unceasing, creative plea amidst the noise of cultural pressures, the busyness of life, and our own self-limiting habits. Sabbaticals are for pastors and for congregations. I will be going on… Continue reading Tuning our Ears for a Sabbatical
Lessons from Frog and Toad
Arnold Lobel wrote a series of books, which on the surface appear to be children’s books, called Frog and Toad. Dig a little deeper and you’ll discover that they’re for adults, too. In one particular story, Toad is admiring Frog’s garden and wishing he could have a similar one. Frog tells him that he can and gives… Continue reading Lessons from Frog and Toad
Word of the year
Two years ago, we adjusted our sails due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Phrases rarely used have entered our everyday vocabulary: vaccination, booster, asymptomatic, contact tracing, flatten-the-curve, social distancing, herd immunity, isolation, lockdown, mask up, quarantine. One of the ways out of this pandemic is to learn new phrases. I want to introduce you to the… Continue reading Word of the year
New life for those seldom-used special characters on your keyboard!
The UCC is widely known as that “comma church.” Meaning that our denomination’s logo includes a comma. That comma symbol has its genesis from a quote, not from some famous theologian, but from entertainer Gracie Allen to her husband, George Burns: “Never place a period where God has put a comma.” We’ve added over the… Continue reading New life for those seldom-used special characters on your keyboard!
Fellowship hour returns this Sunday!
Cookies to the right of them, cookies to the left of them, cookies in front of them! With apologies to Alfred Lloyd Tennyson, that dream will be a reality this Sunday, March 6. After an almost two-year absence, we are having our fellowship hour return this Sunday. The Charge of the Cookie Brigade will happen right… Continue reading Fellowship hour returns this Sunday!
Shower trailer one-year anniversary!
It’s the church being the church! There are so many good things happening at The Palms – our mission and outreach ministry with our homeless population is certainly at the forefront of that! It’s the church being the church! This week marks the one-year anniversary of our Feet-N-More Shower Trailer ministry. This ministry goes out… Continue reading Shower trailer one-year anniversary!
Welcome, Jennifer Hoppe, our new keyboardist / accompanist
Great things are happening at The Palms! We are dreaming big, acting boldly, and loving God. To that end, we welcome Jennifer Hoppe! She will be our new keyboardist / accompanist. Her skillset has taken her around the world—she’s worked for the Metropolitan Opera and most recently four years of teaching and performing in Italy.… Continue reading Welcome, Jennifer Hoppe, our new keyboardist / accompanist