I asked Pastor Darren Wright to sharing his baptismal journey: “A couple of years ago, I found myself sitting in a room across from the table from eight people, as they threw questions at me. I was going through commissioning to become an Elder in the United Methodist Church. It’s not intimidating at all. (congregational […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” In 1988, I stood on the steps of the only church I knew. A growing sense of dream-like disquiet rubbed the official teachings of my denomination against the loving community that held me […]
A New Year reminds us of the possibilities of new roads. We, mainline churches, begin the new year with a holy day: Epiphany. Epiphany means “an appearance of God’s divine presence.” On Epiphany we remember the Magi. These wise ones came from the east, outside of the known traditions to seek and find Christ. The […]
Our lectionary passage from the prophets reads…. During all their distress, God also was distressed, so a messenger who served God saved them. In love and mercy God redeemed them, lifting and carrying them throughout… Isaiah 63:9 Today we lift up our spiritual kindred especially those who are part of Congregation Netzach Yisroel, in Monsey […]
Growing up, I think we had semi-gloss ceilings. I loved to lay on the living room floor watching the christmas tree lights flicker across it’s shiny glaze. Those tree lights came with sturdy bases that held giant screw in bulbs. Whenever a solid red, blue, orange, or green light went out, I replaced it with […]
After my niece and nephew moved out, my youngest son spent the summer in my childhood home. A few days after Caleb moved back into the dorm, Connie drove to Lexington to see him. In Nashville, asleep on our couch, the phone woke me at 11pm. Connie blurted out, “It is raining in the house! […]
“Are you the Expected One, or should we look for another?” John the Baptist’s disciples came wondering if Jesus might bring a deeper rest, or if they should take their expectations elsewhere? The Christmas shopping season is filled with expectations and longings for connection, contentment and joy. We hope Santa leaves us a Lexus with […]
