We hope you join us this Saturday, September 6 from 1 pm to 3 pm in King Hall for an Open House to bid a fond farewell to Pastor Jim. It’s a come-and-go event with food for everyone! Pastor Jim’s guidance has been a beacon of light for us. He’s been more than a pastor; he’s been… Continue reading It’s an Open House and you are invited!
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
Transitions
The new season brings with it a time of significant change and heartfelt transition for our church family. As we embrace these changes, we hold firm to our belief that a church, much like its people, should always be learning, growing, and adapting to better reflect God’s love in the world. We have some exciting… Continue reading Transitions
This transition is a sacred journey
A time of transition is upon us, as we prepare to say farewell to Pastor Jim and welcome Pastor Mark. We are deeply grateful for Pastor Jim’s dedicated service and the many ways he’s guided our congregation. His leadership has been a blessing; he’s been the “yin” to my “yang.” We wish him well as he… Continue reading This transition is a sacred journey
Second chances
Thank you for being the church. We are a church that deals with real issues, and the journey we took to get to this point is a testament to that fact. The congregational meeting last Sunday was a vital part of that process. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, we had to go through… Continue reading Second chances
👀 Unique opportunity this Sunday—don’t miss it.
This is a pivotal time for our congregation! This Sunday, August 10, we have the unique opportunity to hear from Mark Makowski during the sermon. He will share his personal story, beliefs, and sense of calling with us. I encourage you to attend in person to hear his message. Following the service, we’ll hold a… Continue reading 👀 Unique opportunity this Sunday—don’t miss it.
From Lantana Hater to Lover: A Lesson in Perspective
pul·chri·tu·di·nous /ˌpəlkrəˈto͞odənəs/ = beautiful For most of my life, my opinion of lantana was simple: “Lantana is a high-maintenance weed that takes over in the summer and dies back in the winter. I hate it.” I’ve spent countless hours ripping these established bushes out of yards. Then came the “until.” “Until” is a powerful word,… Continue reading From Lantana Hater to Lover: A Lesson in Perspective
Oasis of Peace
On our life’s voyage, you and I often feel engulfed by relentless storms. We cling to familiar routines, neglecting to trim our sails, and exhaust our time, talent, and treasure on endeavors that, despite their secondary importance, don’t truly resonate with our souls. The demands of circumstance, family, and position can repeatedly send us off course, forcing… Continue reading Oasis of Peace
Wonderful news!
The wonderful news shared last Sunday in worship brought a glorious reaction, and we’re thrilled to officially announce it in writing! The Pastoral Search Team, with the blessings of the Executive Board and the Personnel Board are proposing that Rev. Mark Makowski join our team as a ¾ time Associate Pastor. To make this official,… Continue reading Wonderful news!
We’re in this together, thanks be to God!
Change is an inherent part of life, and it’s certainly a dynamic force within The Palms. And wow, we had a lot of recent changes in personnel upfront and behind the scenes in 2025: new Treasurer, new janitorial services, Pastor Jim is leaving, change in payroll services and office manager. Whew! That’s a lot! As… Continue reading We’re in this together, thanks be to God!
If not us, then whom?
July 4 is a perfect day for self-reflection for the United States. Do we acknowledge the pollution of our land and water, the increasing number of unhoused individuals, and the persecution of LGBTQ+ people and others? When the country fails to embrace diversity, when racism and misogyny prevail, when policies discriminate against the poor while… Continue reading If not us, then whom?