My brother, John, made Allstate Gold Band playing the bassoon and maybe Silver band on his marching band instrument the tuba. John made the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps and played his bassoon in college bands and ensembles. These days John plays the guitar for fun and plays bassoon in a community orchestra. His […]

A few years ago, I attended a dinner party with a vegetarian friend. The smell of bread baking greeted us as we walked in, and freshly cut flowers brightened each table. The host elegantly plated each meal. When the host presented garnished chicken to our vegetarian friend, I almost spoke up. But before I could […]

How do you hope people describe you when you are not around to hear?  I was working a little retail job, when a regular customer came in.  The owner happened to be in the office and jumped up greeting the customer like an old friend. After the sale, the proprietor walked the customer to the […]

Never a hiker, Mom was 79 when she decided to hike to the top of Mount LeConte with us. My cousin Ruth convinced mom to buy hiking boots and take daily training walks. After hiking 9 miles and gaining 2,000 feet, Granny Due, and Connie arrived at the cabins in time for dinner but well […]

Exodus’s story of oppression and liberation opens with a reference to the nation forgetting its history.  Here is a quick recap!  Abraham and Sarah’s grandson Joseph was a dreamer, young, fashion forward, a bit braggadocious, and a snitch. His brothers sell Joseph into slavery. Driven, cunning, and wise, Joseph overcame slavery to save Egypt, becoming […]

It was as bad a worship service as I have ever been a part of. I came to call it “nuclear Sunday” as the congregation almost melted down. Our implosion began just before the benediction with an announcement that a beloved staff member had resigned, upon which, the aforementioned staff member stood up and loudly […]

Every Sunday morning, Diane loaded four grandchildren and two neighborhood children in her oversized late model Buick and drove to church. Sometimes Diane signed the children into Sunday school, but usually the six children raced up the stairs and Diane headed to Fellowship Hall for coffee. Diane pulled 4 overnight shifts at the hospital every […]

Matthew 14 is a portrait of a day of ministry with Jesus. All day long, fueled by compassion, Jesus offered healthcare and when the sun began to fade, other needs arose. The disciples came to Jesus concerned that the crowd had nothing to eat, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the […]

I stood there with a little basket filled with self-serve communion cups, really nice ones, consecrated by clergy from West End UMC. I wore Belmont’s Pride shirt and a colorful clergy stole. I stood on the sidewalk in front of the Communion Table, asking people if they wanted to receive holy communion. For the past […]

The Bible is not a history book, at least not in any traditional sense. It lifts up some stories and skips some centuries completely. Beginning with Abraham and Sarah, Genesis takes 40 chapters to tell us about four generations. And what mattered to our spiritual ancestors may baffle our modern minds. Why is an entire […]