-by Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester What an evening we shared together at our recent Progressive Dinner! With three generous hosts—Jerry and Bonnie Nichols (appetizers), Jon and Mary Jo Banwart (main course), and John and Jane Jacobson (dessert)—our night was filled with...

We’ve been pondering, in recent weeks, through our The Days Are Surely Coming worship series, who among us actually believes in God’s promises to bring about the completion of God’s promised, peaceful future. You may remember I mentioned a conversation with a skeptic...

At a retreat I attended about a year ago, with a bunch of grown-up spiritual people, the agenda included a “bedtime story” on the second night of our time together. It surprised me when my eyes leaked at that idea.  Last month I was at a different gathering of mostly...

I found myself in a funny email exchange with our music director, Patrick Gagnon, this week. I had suggested an opening hymn for this Sunday, and I wanted Patrick’s thoughts on it.  The hymn is “O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines” (UM Hymnal # 729); the words are...

In the middle of weighty decisions we’ve made as a church in recent weeks, and big celebrations and baptisms and All Saints Day that have consumed lots of energy, I’m proud of the way this church showed up for trick or treat last Friday.  I don’t mean the trick or...

As promised, we wanted to share the results of our two big church meetings that happened earlier this month, and some of the next steps. Church Conference, October 21. About 100 of us gathered in the sanctuary and on Zoom that evening to vote on the property matters...