It happened.  In spite of COVID-19.  In spite of social distancing.  In spite of Shelter in Place.  In spite of closed sanctuaries.  Easter happened!  It had to be one of the most surreal and yet memorable Easters of my entire life.  I will always remember where I was and what I was doing during the … Continue reading Surreal Easter Reflections

When I think back to last week it seems like eons ago. We have faced unprecedented change in one week's time.  The amount of decisions and the speed at which they have come at me has been mind boggling.  I imagine each of you feel the same.  As a pastor, one of the things that … Continue reading Staying Connected in the Midst of Isolation

It's hard for me to believe that it is Lent already.  You know, the 40 days leading up to Easter.  I always appreciate that the Church has a rhythm to it.  The big things that happen in the church year always have a time of preparation.  Advent leads up to Christmas. Lent to Easter.  The … Continue reading It’s Lent, Again

Happy Valentine's Day!  I realize for some this is a day of great joy.  For others it brings sadness and heartbreak.  And for others, it's just another day.  For those of us who have been married 20+ years it is far too tempting to fall into that last category.  I'm thankful for my husband and … Continue reading The Many Faces of Love

Yesterday afternoon I was reflecting about Martin Luther King, Jr. on the eve of the day which honors him with a national holiday.   Simultaneously some friends and I went to see the movie Just Mercy about Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard trained lawyer who comes to Alabama to assist inmates on death row get a fair … Continue reading A Little Mercy, A Little Justice, and a Little Unmerited Grace

  I made an angel.  And I have to admit, I am a little proud.  It's out of wood and I had a lot of help.  I am indebted to Drew Sumrell for patiently teaching me about his woodworking hobby.  I learned about using a lathe and wood turning tools such as a parting tool, … Continue reading The Making of an Angel

It sold.  The house I came home from the hospital to and called home for 49 years.  My mom signed the papers around Halloween.  We started this journey last Christmas.  What an emotional saga.  To rent a dumpster and throw away mostly junk but a whole lot of memories.  Cleaning out attics and a basement … Continue reading Goodbye Home

Our church celebrated our Commitment Sunday today which is actually one of my favorite Sunday's of the year.  I love the idea that we all make our own contributions to the life of the Church.  Today we focused specifically on our financial contributions but we also contribute our gifts and graces.  We give of ourselves. … Continue reading Friendship Gratitude

Put it in the books, Boone UMC's 35th Annual Fall Bazaar is done for another year.  As always, it represents a great deal of work by hundreds of volunteers.  And as always, it was another opportunity to bring joy to the hundreds of shoppers that come looking for treasurers or for much needed items that … Continue reading A Win, Win, Win

I'm finishing up a week with family at the beach and I find myself in a reflective mood as  the week comes to an end and the reality of entering back into the "real world" looms in the near future.  A week of rest.  A week of numerous belly laughs caused by the antics of … Continue reading Time to Inhale