Dear Ones: I typically have a bit of an aversion to August. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s Leo season, with all its fire sign energy and the sweltering temperatures to match. August shows up lazily enough, echoing the summer vibes of July that I’ve only just settled into post work-tour. But the leisurely pace…
DetailsAugust is finally here and next to her family, I am going to be the happiest person to see Talia return. I missed her the second most of any of you because I knew she knew what I didn’t know in my startup. Anyway, welcome back Talia. I know you will be different, Dr. Raymond.…
DetailsDear Ones: Let’s talk about resilience for a moment. It is synchronous that our congregation is spending our Sundays contemplating resilience, our summer worship theme, as our youth spent their recent Work Tour experiencing it. Travel delays, forgotten items, stolen backpacks, upset tummies, early mornings, boisterous nights, manual labor under an unrelenting sun, harsh fluorescent…
DetailsDear Friends, We are officially on the other side of the year with July in full summer swing. I’m hopeful our new air conditioning units will be installed by the end of July in the Sanctuary. We have some pressure washing of our outside areas on the books and other upkeeping of our campus. Our…
DetailsI want to share with you a non-standard statement of financial position for the church as of the end of May 2025. The things that are not standard in this statement: Generally assets (here the buildings and land) are listed as historical costs and not a fair market value. The values…
DetailsSome rituals are spiritual. Some are silly. Some are inherited, and some are self-made. Casper ter Kuile, author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, walks us through how we create all sorts of meaningful, grounding rituals. One of my rituals is writing a newsletter. I always try to make my “minister’s…
DetailsHello all! We can feel that summer sizzle already in the late mornings to the afternoons. This hopefully means our newly scrubbed solar panels will be ready to receive the sun’s ray as the days stretch longer and the nights feel warmer. Thank goodness for air conditioning and ice machines. Speaking of air conditioning, we…
DetailsSomething of a Miracle! Think of it, Ray Meeks was sentenced to Florida’s death row when he was about 19 years old. On June 28, Ray will be 72 years old, which in its own was is something of a miracle. All of the circumstances surrounding his arrest, trial, conviction and sentencing were absurd. He…
DetailsHere are three items of interest. We are working with the Sierra Club of Florida to address shutoffs of utilities (power and water) during heat waves and especially for the poor. We met on May 21 with GRU’s Government Affairs and Community Relations Director. Our interest in this issue was sparked by a local problem…
DetailsI usually write about the church budget, but this month I would like to comment on our designated accounts. These are special encumbered accounts where we tract donations, registrations, and grants and associated expenditures that are earmarked for special programs and purposes. They are grouped into twelve categories: adult programs, children’s programs, youth programs, outreach…
DetailsHello All! May was so full of fun and growth. Our pilot year of Kids’ Night Out was a success. We had a lot of fun with your children on Friday nights while enhancing their learning through STEM activities and crafts. Thanks to all the volunteers who made KNO successful. Kids United classes ended in…
DetailsAs I prepare to step away for a season of sabbatical rest and renewal, I want to pause and offer my deepest gratitude to each of you. Thank you for your generosity: in gifts, in spirit, and in trust. Thank you for the love you have poured into our shared ministry. Your prayers, your kind…
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