I have come to appreciate January in the Pacific Northwest. I grew up in Wisconsin and signs of Spring are hard to come by this time of year. Brown and gray are the dominant colors in the earthly palate there. But it is different in … read more.
We’re just a few days into the new year. And if you are a resolution-making person, I expect some of those resolutions may already be slipping away. I have to say for me, that sense of back-to-it has come incredibly quickly this year. Whatever energy … read more.
Some Images I’m Carrying From This Season at the Church:
Last Sunday we were back in Eliot Chapel for Sunday worship. Not exactly by plan but because the elevator in our Sanctuary was not working. I was taken back to a time when the Chapel was … read more.
It has been ten days since the midterm election, and I’m still processing the results. As is usually the case, there has been lots of talk of winners and losers. That’s how it goes: A narrative takes shape that confirms the expectations going into the … read more.
Last Sunday we held our congregation’s first Animal Blessing at Columbia Park in North Portland. We’ve talked about offering an Animal Blessing for years but it was Rev. Alison who encouraged us to try it this year. And what a blessing it was.
We gathered on … read more.
As we look to the end of our church year, I’m very much aware of the endings as well as the beginnings in our community. Rev. Bill Sinkford just preached his last Easter sermon here. He’ll be in the pulpit just two more times before … read more.
For the last three Sundays we have been back in person at church. It has been wonderful to see familiar faces again and to greet people in person. And there’s been a particular gift these weeks: newcomers in person for the first time.
Now we know … read more.
Who could have imagined when we went to virtual-only services two years ago that we would just be returning to in person now (with the exception of those two months at the end of last year). I imagine this is something that a lot of … read more.
Did you know that we have lay ministers in our church? Earlier this month our Alliance invited some lay ministers to talk about the program and how it tries to support congregants in need. As I write today it felt like that would be some … read more.
It is Groundhog Day when I write, which is usually not a day that I pay a lot of attention to. The ritual of watching the groundhog and figuring out whether it sees its shadow has always been a little confusing to me, if I’m … read more.
