“How does it feel to be back?” I was asked that several times in a variety of ways last Sunday. There are many layers to my emotions of my return – I felt nervous, excited, and welcomed. The church was kind and loving. I felt gratitude, love, and peace. One of the key factors in my… Continue reading “How does it feel to be back?”
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
I’m back!
I’m back! Well…sort of. It’s going to take some time to get back into the swing of things. Like a player in MLB, I’m going to need some time to get into the rhythm of the day. I pray for your patience! I did want you to know that I am soooooooooo excited to be back… Continue reading I’m back!
One last top 10 list before sabbatical!
Before I head out on Sabbatical, I wanted to give you one more Top Ten list. I hope that during this time of discernment that you increase your giving of time, talent, and treasure to the church. Now is the time to demonstrate in word and in deed that you love the church. Be… Continue reading One last top 10 list before sabbatical!
We’re Getting Close
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
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!