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Sacred Space
I have started taking the long way to get places. I don’t go too far off course, but if I can head a couple blocks in the wrong direction before I loop back toward home or the office, I’ll do …
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352 Walls
Over the past many months, artists from around the world have been transforming our city walls into giant works of art here in Gainesville, Florida. 352walls has transformed many of our downtown buildings into eye-catching, mind blowing and head scratching …
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Thank You!
Over the last few months I’ve been acutely awake to and aware of a phenomenon that is ever-present in my life–the goodness and dedication of volunteers. Here at UCG, Andy, Vince, and I have the privilege of working as resource …
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Hide it Under a Bucket, NO!
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” – Luke 33:11…
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So This is the New Year
When my father passed away the September before last (has it really been so long?), a good friend gave me a very special devotional book. I have read it often and more often than not the daily selections strike a …
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Worthy Resolutions
Truth be told, I make quite a few resolutions throughout the year. The many changes I intend cannot wait until the last day of December–so all year I need to offer myself “helpful” advice and make renewed commitments to change …
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The Gifts of Christmas
I’m a lucky fellow because I love my job. Sure, it has its frustrating moments- but on the whole I get to do the things I love with people I love in a place that I love. It doesn’t get …
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Re-gifted
A fond memory I have of my young adulthood was when I got my first job. For the first time I could give my family and friends a Christmas gift I’d paid for with my own money. It felt empowering …
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Instruments of Peace
Last Sunday we lit the candle of peace on our advent wreath. Today the world seems as far from that peace as it does from the love candle we will light this week. The rhetoric of violence and exclusion in …
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Kielbasa
Sometimes there are certain things that we say in a sermon that people just remember forever and ever. And we get reminded of those things on a regular basis. While I’d love to tell you it’s the beautiful way we …
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Happy New Year!
I know, I know, it’s just Thanksgiving, and I’m already celebrating the ball drop. But actually, in the historical church calendar, this week marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. Sunday, November 29th is the start …
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We Are (Carbon) Neutral
Before I left for my sabbatical (which was AMAZING, by the way…thank you!) our Social Justice Committee was pondering ways we can continue and strengthen our work on behalf of the environment, and the church. Earlier this year I accepted …