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Pastor’s Ponderings November, 2024 In my sermon on October 27th I mentioned the anxiety that many people are facing because of the 2024 election. As we get closer and closer to November 5th, I sense that that anxiety is only becoming more palpable. I know that mine is. I have to intentionally stop myself from refreshing political news websites every five minutes and looking up the latest swing state polls. One thing that has helped me obsess a little less over the coming el

Pastor’s Ponderings October, 2024 I wish I remembered the details more accurately, but years ago someone told me about a short story (or possibly a movie plot) in which the main protagonist builds a machine that he can use to transport himself into works of literature. Thus, if he ever fancied himself as the Fourth Musketeer, he could travel into the famous Alexandre Dumas novel and try to convince the Three Musketeers that they need a new partner. Alas, what happens ins

Pastor’s Ponderings September, 2024 The Biblical story begins with a promise. God promises the newly created humans that they can depend upon God’s creation to give them what they need to survive and thrive, and humans in turn are given the responsibility of caring for the creation. (Genesis 1) But then there is peril. The humans get expelled from the garden as punishment for their disobedience, and now their survival depends upon hard work and whether or not crops will

Pastor’s Ponderings August 2024 "Building a Life, Part Three" We’ve been exploring Spiritual Disciplines this Summer, and I’m thrilled to be doing this sermon series with our friend the Rev. Dr. Libby Boatwright. The last couple of weeks I’ve been thinking of another reason why spiritual practices are needed these days. Spiritual practices can unite a diverse group of people around common practices. For instance, at Covenant we have people with differing theological views a

Pastor’s Ponderings July 2024 “Building a Life, Part Two” In the May newsletter I announced my intention to preach a sermon series on Spiritual Practices during the summer. As I write today, we are now three sermons into the series, and I’ve been encouraged by the discussions that the sermons have sparked (and I know that that’s the Holy Spirit’s doing more than it is mine.) As I’ve shared before, I believe that there is a deep longing for spiritual depth. When someone

During the month of June we will begin following a schedule of regular postings on social media. Be on the lookout for weekly posts from...

As May approaches and the weather gets warmer and warmer, many of us are looking forward to summer. For me this also means looking...

So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid....

Last month I wrote about sharing our stories of faith, and how talking about our faith out loud helps us to come to a deeper...

One morning some years ago, a young bookstore clerk named Deborah arrived at work early to open the shop. Standing at the door waiting...

. . . is how the Gospel of Mark begins. Most biblical scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark was the first of the four Gospels to be...

If someone makes a reference to “Hurricane Hazel” in our home these days, we’re apt to assume that Hazel, our 4-month old puppy, has...

Updated December 18, 2023 This month I’d like to share a poem by Ann Weems which has brought me comfort and perspective in recent days. I...

Proverbs 29:18 states emphatically: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” In terms of our life together we might say: “Where...

This Fall our theme is going to be “From Generation to Generation.” One of Covenant’s many strengths is that it is truly an...

In my column last month I wrote about the long tradition of Covenant mission trips that included both youth and adults. This month I...

“We offer programs and activities to encourage all—young and old alike—to learn from one another, grow together, and be refreshed in...

As I write this, we are looking forward to a Pentecost celebration on Sunday, May 28. We invite worshippers in the sanctuary and on Zoom...

As I write this, I am about to complete my 8th month at Covenant. My family and I continue to be profoundly grateful that we discovered...

In the Gospel of Matthew there are actually two stories of Easter, sandwiched together. One story is the familiar story of the women...