Posted by rgarza |
We are almost to the end of 2020, a season usually filled with joyful anticipation as the year ends with family and friends during the holidays. This year, however, will likely be spent by most alone — or at least celebrating with very few — at their homes. However the holidays are spent, this is certainly a year that we will remember always, finding us even more thankful than usual for what…
Posted by cschnaath |
One of the first things I learned when I began doing interim pastor ministry was that our first job is to listen.
Posted by wcanady |
As I compose this Staff Trax, I have nothing about the organ that comes to mind, nor any Bible verse that the Lord has impressed on my heart. However, there is one word that I cannot shake, and that word has been “change.”
Salem family, this…
Posted by svanbaale |
In November, we celebrate Thanksgiving and the start of Advent. We also have had All Saints’ Day, the end of Daylight Savings Time (probably not something to celebrate, as our amount of daylight hours is reduced), and Election Day. Veterans Day is next week, and Christ the King Sunday is in a couple of weeks.
We have honored the saints who have gone before us and will honor veterans who…
Posted by hlewis |
Transition. Adjust. Adapt. Continue. Repeat. That sums up the last 7 months for me, how about you?
Something that keeps me grounded is remembering stories of those who have gone before us, and the things in their lives they have endured. If my grandmother can send her husband off to World War II with a baby on the way, and raise my dad alone for 18 months, I think I can handle learning how…
Posted by rgarza |
I recently participated in a Zoom spiritual gathering this past weekend. It was supposed to be in Wichita. It would have been nice to meet new people, but it was still a great experience. Changing it to a Zoom gave people all over the world a chance to also attend, so there were people from Canada to London, as well as from Florida to California, and in between.
The gathering started…
Posted by svanbaale |
Can you imagine having a wedding reception and no one wanting to come? All of the food and drinks are prepared, but no guests have shown up. Would you just go out and invite whomever you saw?
That is what the king in this Sunday’s Gospel reading did. He gave a wedding banquet for his son, but no one would come. He first sent his slaves to bring those who had been invited, but they refused.…
Posted by tgraham |
Please teach me how to reach
... and take me in the right direction
toward kindness, humility, and love ...
and away from judgment.
Recently in a discussion about prejudice I was reminded how my generation in the ’60s and ’70s may have been the first in my lifetime to really begin to think about inclusion. There was what appeared to be harmony at school, in sports, and at…
Posted by wcanady |
We have talked so very much about the organ; let me talk about the sounds we derive from the organ. I love organ music. I am that person that can enjoy listening to organ music for hours on end. Over the years, I have learned that organ music requires a hearty appreciation.
This week, I want to share with you some of my favorite organ pieces; you are encouraged to Google them and listen:…
