In the quiet of our sanctuary, we often seek peace—but the world outside calls us to a different kind of holy work. As we look toward the Middle East, many of us feel a deep, unsettling grief. For decades, but especially recently, U.S. involvement in the region has mirrored a pattern of devastation rather than… Continue reading The time for silent prayer has passed.
Tag: ministry
Straight From the Heart Art Show
Right here at The Church of the Palms UCC Opening day: March 14, 1:30–3:30 pm through March 29 Saturdays from 1:30 – 3:00 pm and Sundays during coffee hour after worship Curated by Tisha Wir, Straight From the Heart highlights artwork by incarcerated women and men, uplifting stories of resilience, restoration, and hope through art.
How can we turn our Lenten disciplines into tools for advocacy?
As the sunshine of February transitions to March, we find ourselves in the middle of another Lenten journey. This year, our congregational theme—“A Season for Every Matter”—takes on a profound weight. If we look at the world around us, it feels as though we are living through a season of “breaking down” and “weeping.” In… Continue reading How can we turn our Lenten disciplines into tools for advocacy?
Valentines Day 💝 twist on 1 Corinthians 13
In our pursuit of a more just world, we often lean on policy and protest—vital tools for change. Yet, 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that even the most righteous activism, if it lacks love, is merely “a noisy gong.” In a progressive context, love is not a passive sentiment; it is a restorative force. Love… Continue reading Valentines Day 💝 twist on 1 Corinthians 13
The Beatitudes for 2026 America
Blessed are you who turn off the news with trembling hands and weep over the sink while the world carries on—for the Kin-dom belongs to the soft-hearted. Blessed are you who keep watch at the gates of the jail or the edges of the border, your breath rising like incense in the freezing air—you shall… Continue reading The Beatitudes for 2026 America
A Season for Every Matter
As shared during our Annual Meeting on January 31, our community is stepping into a new theme for the year ahead: “A Season for Every Matter.” In our progressive faith tradition, the pulse of social justice is our constant heartbeat. However, as the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “For everything there is a… Continue reading A Season for Every Matter
Not Just a Sunday Routine: Shaping What’s Next
Annual Meeting Saturday, January 31, 20269:00 a.m. in the sanctuary Forget the outdated stereotypes of “boring” church meetings and stale traditions. At its heart, our gathering is far more than an annual habit; it is a living laboratory for the future. In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, we come together not to… Continue reading Not Just a Sunday Routine: Shaping What’s Next
How we live out our mission in such times
In a world that feels increasingly off-kilter, many of us are searching for a compass. At The Palms, where we strive to embody unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome, we often look to the Gospel to make sense of the noise. The Bible offers us a subversive kind of wisdom. Consider Jesus of Nazareth: he didn’t… Continue reading How we live out our mission in such times
To make a difference despite the turbulence of our times
It has been a challenging season, but as Christmas draws near, let’s rediscover hope in the familiar stories of Jesus’ birth. I want to share how the Gospels of Luke and Matthew inspire the work we do right now. Luke emphasizes that Jesus was born poor and was first visited by poor, dirty shepherds—people considered… Continue reading To make a difference despite the turbulence of our times
What truly defines us as a church family?
It’s not the building, but the vibrant, tangible ways we bring our mission statement—Sharing God’s Unconditional Love, Justice, and Extravagant Welcome—to life every single day. Today, as we observe National Transgender Day of Remembrance, we powerfully embody our commitment to Extravagant Welcome and justice for all God’s beloved children. This witness, however, is just one… Continue reading What truly defines us as a church family?