Author name: Grace UMC

Last Friday was the seventh anniversary of my father’s death. It is hard to believe he has been dead for seven years. Some days it feels like yesterday. Other times […]

At first hearing, today’s scriptures, about Hannah and from Hebrews, share little in common. They are separated by thousands of years. One is a family drama. One is called a

In the thirteen and a half years I have served this congregation, we have gathered for worship after all manner of events. After Newtown, when the pain of that December

The book of Job begins with a bird’s eye view from the heavens. God and God’s emissaries are looking down upon the earth. If we could take such a heavenly

How many words does the average person speak in the course of a day? Anyone want to wager a guess? The research varies, but most agree the typical adult speaks

Summer is the season of beach trips, family vacations, of fireworks and poolside afternoons, of strawberries, peaches and tomatoes. Summer is the season of afternoon thunderstorms, freshly mowed grass, of

When the summer begins, it stretches out like a smooth, green lawn upon which one might plant an Adirondack chair and settle in, ready to savor some restful days. Like

What makes a person good? What makes for a good life?   The opening scene of NBC’s sitcom, “The Good Place,” introduces Eleanor Shellstrop, newly deceased and now being welcomed into

Barren is a term that re-occurs throughout the scriptures. Numerous biblical women face the heartache of not easily conceiving children, including Sarah, Rachel, Elizabeth, and, in today’s text, Hannah. Centuries

Greetings again from Charlotte,  There is much to celebrate about the decision made during today’s sessions of General Conference. During the morning session, delegates passed several pieces of legislation that