As your pastor, I strongly recommend the COVID-19 vaccine. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says all available options for the vaccine are safe. They were developed using science that has been around for decades. COVID-19 vaccines are not experimental. They went through all the required stages of clinical trials. Extensive testing and monitoring have shown that these … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: July 2021
Who is Mark? Worship at St. Philip’s United Church has focused, most often, on The Gospel of Mark in 2021. Noticing this, a member recently asked me: “Who is Mark?” The best scholars I read admit that little is known about one individual named Mark who might have written the account in one sitting. More likely, faithful church members two … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: June 2021
I found the following guided meditation video in a search. It starts with relaxation and breathing and then the meditation leader makes the statements printed below and many similar statements. I found it so helpful that I provide the so you can experience it in its original setting. I reproduce these affirmations as a sample. Perhaps you will find them … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: May 2021
Every change in routine is an opportunity for mindfulness. Our lives and routine have been disrupted by the pandemic. We have been forced to do things in new ways but we are getting used to the new ways. What a golden opportunity to be intentionally mindful! Every hour we live — can make us more what God wants us to … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: April 2021
Worship On Good Friday, April 2, 2021, there will be a service available online for you to view any time after Thursday evening to set the tone for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. View or listen in humble prayer. On Resurrection Sunday (Easter), April 4th, there will be in-person worship which can also be viewed online. Social distancing, masking, and … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: March 2021
If we want to support each other’s inner lives, we must remember a simple truth: the human soul does not want to be fixed, it wants simply to be seen and heard. To see and hear a person’s soul, there is another truth we must remember: the soul is like a wild animal — tough, resilient, and yet shy. When … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: January 2021
Being socially isolated is hard to avoid these days. Researchers who have studied this have found unhappy and even dangerous results when people decrease interpersonal contact. https://relaysd.com/news/health Another option is to stay connected by telephone and enjoy vital connections instead. 1st John 4:19 tells us that: “We love, because Jesus first loved us.” Which is to say that the connection … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: December 2020
Preparing During Advent Our tradition values this time of year as a challenge to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We imagine the Christchild, the Christmas Story and seek to align our spirit to God’s love shown there. But living during the COVID-19 era includes heightened anxiety. Jesus said “Do not be afraid” many times. Here is … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: November 2020
When Jesus was asked “What is the Greatest Commandment,” the religious authorities wanted to trick him. ‘Commandments’ was not the topic he chose, but when asked, his answer was love. (Matthew 22:34-40) Brené Brown, in her book, Daring Greatly, defined love, outlined various masks that keep people from it and reported results from her research into overcoming them. Her research … Read More
From the Pastor’s Desk: October 2020
When a group of people work effectively together, for good or ill, the world takes notice. The Christian Church has done this over and over, almost always for good and St. Philip’s United Church has been a powerful participant. In his first letter, Bible writer John identified his readers as Beloved. He challenged them to love each other and in … Read More
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