Renée Antrosio
– May 19, 2020
Music moves us to dance, and allows us to cry. It opens the doors of our minds and hearts, preparing us for prayer and inviting us to worship. As each segment of our online service is carefully fitted together, we find the whole to be much more than the sum of the parts. How, in
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Renée Antrosio
– May 12, 2020
The pendulum swings widely in the course of a single day. Tender, beautiful moments to savor with deep gratitude. The sun shines gloriously. Spring has sprung. Lilacs are blooming and birds are singing. Kindness abounds, from strangers and family. Because of the abundant presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the disciples were overflowing
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Renée Antrosio
– May 5, 2020
As NCF pursues adding solar panels to the roof, Joyce Mast reflects on how this integrates into her life of loving the earth. May your love for creation also continue to expand. -Renée “Abuela, you must be a friend of the polar bears,” this from my (about ten years old at the time) St. Louis
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Renée Antrosio
– April 28, 2020
On the morning of his fourth birthday, our little one woke asking for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The next day was Sunday again. The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf, and after that he felt much better. Now he wasn’t hungry anymore, and he wasn’t a little caterpillar anymore. He was a big, fat caterpillar.
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Renée Antrosio
– April 21, 2020
Renée asked me if I would write something personal for the pastor’s note—something I have been thinking about recently. I have been thinking a lot during this strange self-isolating era. And, I will write on some of those thoughts in my future FB posts. But, I thought—OK, why not be really personal. Thank you NCF
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Renée Antrosio
– April 14, 2020
The disciples were afraid. That their own leaders would betray them. They had a common enemy- the occupying Roman government- but different ideas about how to survive. Or thrive. Or be faithful. They were a people divided. All living in fear of the same threat. But danger affects people differently, depending on access to resources.
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Renée Antrosio
– April 7, 2020
As Passover approaches, Vern Fein shares a poem with us. Reminding us that blessed looks different at various points in time. Sending love and prayers. -Renée THE UN-CHOSEN The Chosen peopleun-chosen for one night.Huddled in the darkno firelistened for wingsany rustleprayed for lamb’s bloodto protect themfrom the Angel of Death. Did they hear the wailsclutch
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Renée Antrosio
– March 31, 2020
The time is ripe for bad theology. Cringe-worthy Christian statements pitting science against faith. I am relieved to read the letter drafted by Rabbi Alan Cook on behalf of the Interfaith Alliance of Champaign County. His heart, his wisdom, and his leadership comfort and cheer me. I am grateful to be part of this faith community. So
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Renée Antrosio
– March 24, 2020
In this time of uncertainty and fear, we are sustained by stories of those we love. May this reflection from Barbara Linder- and the children’s art and voices- lift our spirits and help us find our way. -Renée The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of
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Renée Antrosio
– March 17, 2020
I relish a few moments of silence. I hear the birds chirping in the dark. My household still sleeps. With coffee and Bible, journal and pen, I feel most like myself. At home. Go to school. Leave for work. I’ve spent the last six months explaining to a child that *everyone* does this. We all
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