In a world reeling from the escalation of conflict with Iran, our mission as a community of faith has never been more vital. We ground ourselves in the radical pursuit of God’s unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome—values that stand in stark opposition to the drums of war beating across the globe. While political rhetoric… Continue reading A Pastoral Response to the War with Iran
Tag: UCC
A Season for Resurrection: Social Justice in Bloom
As spring starts to give way to the heat of April, we find ourselves entering the most vibrant season of our faith. At The Church of the Palms, we believe that Easter is more than a single day on the calendar; it is a movement. In the words of Ecclesiastes, “For every matter there is… Continue reading A Season for Resurrection: Social Justice in Bloom
It is a Season for Reclaiming Our Priorities
At The Palms, we ground ourselves in a mission of unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome. But as we look at the landscape of our nation today, we must ask: are our collective priorities reflecting those values? If Jesus walked through the United States today, I suspect his message would be startlingly direct. Guided by the… Continue reading It is a Season for Reclaiming Our Priorities
The time for silent prayer has passed.
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.
This is a Call for Moral Clarity and Peace
As we look at the world today, the contrast between our nation’s priorities and the needs of its people is stark. We find our resources poured into global military expansion while, at home, the divide between the ultra-wealthy and the vulnerable grows into a canyon. While a few invest in luxury and longevity, the middle… Continue reading This is a Call for Moral Clarity and Peace
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?
Let’s turn our Lenten contemplation into courageous advocacy
Lent invites us into the season of sacred pause—not for the sake of hollow piety or performative sacrifice, but for deep, honest self-reflection. In the quiet of this season, we are called to look inward and identify the personal and systemic barriers that keep us from loving our neighbors fully. In our progressive faith, the… Continue reading Let’s turn our Lenten contemplation into courageous 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