As we who are white seek to educate ourselves and become better allies of Black Americans and people of color, Carolyn Vance shares her experience of reading “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo. It is a great follow-up to Gladys Hunt’s teaching about her experiences of racial injustice and
Read MoreDuring the last ten days of Lorna Engels’ life, three dear friends accompanied her on this final journey. Theirs is a gift that is truly priceless, being the body of Christ to her on behalf of all of us who cared about her. Below, Maureen Burch reflects lovingly on Lorna’s life. The Jim Croegaert song “What is this Love?”
Read MorePerhaps you remember Laura and Anders Wennstrom, or would like a personal viewpoint of NCFers who live 2 blocks from where George Floyd was murdered. Experience their family Benediction from this Sunday, and then read their update below. Be sure to read this news story for a witness of hope and an expanded look at what’s happening on their block. May
Read MorePlanning a garden next to the house, on the sunny side, where the water was easily accessible. For me, the east side next to the chain link fence. This spring I invested in asparagus. I am cautiously optimistic. Gardening is not my strength. But what happens when powerful people want to plant next to their
Read MoreHanging out with the birds by the brook. Sounds pretty good actually. At least for a while. I’ve been fantasizing about a cabin in the woods. Some solitude. Elijah needed to get away. Things looked bad, and they weren’t getting better soon. Ahab did more to anger the Lord than any previous kings. So Elijah
Read MoreSince everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? 2 Peter 3:11a (CEB) I hadn’t planned to march. My Black Lives Matter shirt was in the dirty laundry. But, I was already wearing If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. -Desmond Tutu. What sort
Read MoreThe extent to which I never imagined, or possibly anticipated, the life I am currently living boggles my mind. And the brain strain of trying to comprehend the variables and (lack of?) choices sometimes overloads. Conflicting reports seem to make no sense. We rely on our reasoning, our abilities to sort through information, weigh the
Read MoreMusic 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
Read MoreThe 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
Read MoreAs 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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