Worshiping with Sharon Chubbuck and Judson at NCF was a treat. May Sharon’s Easter reflection bless you as well. -Renée Judson and I spent Easter weekend in Illinois. We visited both our families, we saw old friends and met new people. On Easter Sunday morning, we worshipped with the family of God at New Covenant Fellowship.
Read MoreAs we journey through Holy Week together, poetry expresses the intensity of emotions and articulates the confusion of triumphant parades paired with shocking betrayal. May Vern Fein’s poem below speak to you as well. -Renée SATURDAY(AN EASTER POEM) He is dead now.He was so alive,Buried.We are scattered,Huddled in fearIn various haunts. Will we ever be fishermen again?Peacefully
Read MoreTwo weeks ago, Rabbi Alan Cook wrote to members of the Interfaith Alliance: Dear Friends, Passover will be here in about a month. Ramadan, Ostara, and Easter are also on the horizon, and our Baha’i friends are celebrating Nawruz. I wish joyous and meaningful celebrations to all. The past several years, in various contexts, Sinai
Read MoreI’ve been reading a bit about the science of awe, the effect of shocking beauty beyond ourselves, how it orients us to our place in the universe. Judson Chubbuck reflects on his experience of the stars, connecting us, and reminding us to look up. -Renée The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the
Read MoreIn the spring of 2020, I planted an asparagus bed. That was a questionable move. My soil is wrong, and I only kinda-sorta followed the meticulous instructions for preparing the ground. But I needed a pandemic gardening project. I think I’ve mentioned that seeds aren’t my thing. Asparagus roots are gnarly-looking handfuls; plant once and
Read MoreIf you listen to NCF music, you’ve heard Asha’s voice, leading us in song. She is a gift to our community, and I am delighted that she agreed to share a recent experience of connection. Seek justice:help the oppressed;defend the orphan;plead for the widow.Isaiah 1:17b (CEB) May we increasingly learn to love each other, as
Read MoreI stumbled into becoming a member of the Ministerial Alliance; I wasn’t intending to join anything. I thought it was an open meeting (pre-pandemic,) and that I had been invited. I was just trying to show up, which is pretty minimal, and still a lot for me on a Saturday morning. But when it became awkwardly
Read MoreI didn’t feel it right away. The morning was dreary. But warm. Tired of the same sweaters in endless rotation, I realized I could choose differently. Mardi Gras! Sparkling sequins transform gray. Dangly earrings languishing in the back of the drawer reflect the light unexpectedly. Something shifted. I unearthed a whimsical scarf in a purple
Read MoreOne aspect of being a pastor that I love is when people are particularly moved by a poem or article, they share that experience with me. Lee Ann is always seeking, always listening. Her reflections help me on this same journey. May they bless you as well. –Renée Last week, I received this prayer through a
Read MoreI’ve been thinking about the one thing. Like, how would we describe New Covenant in one phrase? You– from whatever vantage point you have- how would you define the commonality of this extended family identity (not just the people who can be present at 124 W. White on a Sunday morning!) What is the common thread running
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