Category Archives: Ministry
Jesus, Winnie the Pooh, and Graham Crackers
I made three home visits this afternoon, with Jesus, Winnie the Pooh, and a box of graham crackers in the car next to me. The crackers were for lunch. By the end of visiting I felt strangely like Prince Myshkin … Continue reading
My Purpose
I went to an oral surgery office today, where they have pictures of boats in the waiting room. They removed three of my wisdom teeth, the fourth having been taken out 30 years ago. My dentist urged me to do … Continue reading
The Gathering Turns One
A year ago my wife started a monthly service at her church called The Gathering. It is a casual, contemporary time of worship, with a special emphasis on being LGBT friendly. Sunday night The Gathering celebrated its first anniversary. Daniel … Continue reading
Time In the Shelter
Jesus loves you, but only in groups of 41 or less. The rest he will love later. This is the far wall at the homeless shelter our congregation is staffing this week. I am spending a lot of time in … Continue reading
Soup & Song 2012
I accidentally took this picture yesterday while setting up tables for our Soup & Song event which was last night. I like the blurry look. The whole evening was a blur, a fun blur. We raised $800 for the Fishes … Continue reading
Ringing a Bell
I rang the Salvation Army bell in front of ACO Hardware for an hour this afternoon. I noticed their new buckets do not fit into their old bucket stands. Most people gave a few coins or a dollar bill. I … Continue reading
A Busy Month Begins
A long Saturday. Assisting with the SERRV Shop in the morning, officiating at a funeral in the afternoon, and helping decorate the church in the evening. Plus a hospital visit. Thus a busy month begins. I started using a new … Continue reading
Nancy Is My Pastor
I usually do not post pictures of faces, but I want to make an exception today because I love this particular face and the woman who wears it. Nancy is an educator who works wonders with children and youth in … Continue reading
Sitting and Walking
I sat with a woman at a care facility in Jackson yesterday. She had a stroke last month. She was asleep, and none of her family was there. There was a family visiting the woman in the next bed. A … Continue reading
Menacing Face
This was my costume from Sunday’s Trick or Trunk event in the front parking lot at church. An artist in our congregation made my face look menacing. There were a lot of children at that event, many of whom I … Continue reading
The Grace to Forgive
I led the second forgiveness class today. One of the participants lost a spouse to a driver on drugs and wonders now how to forgive. How indeed. In the afternoon I started work on Sunday’s sermon, using Mark 10:46-52. I … Continue reading
Delighted to Walk
I walked in the CROP Hunger Walk today to benefit the good work of Church World Service. I wanted to walk last year but had to step in at the last and staff the water station at Trestle Park. Actually, … Continue reading
Care of Animals and Care of Souls
This is Buster, the third of three dogs my wife has had to find homes for. A dear friend of hers is in a care facility and can no longer take care of his animals. Buster came to live with … Continue reading
You Can Soar
Yesterday, after our morning staff meeting, I drove to Jackson to visit a woman who has had a stroke. She is at Allegiance Hospital. She and her husband were driving home to Adrian when she began to act strangely, causing … Continue reading
Rubber Chickens and Bozo the Clown
I spent time today at Daybreak Adult Day Services. All the clients have become pumpkins on a bulletin board outside the front door. Inside I took part in a game throwing rubber chickens into a red Bozo the Clown bucket. … Continue reading
Not Perfunctory
This morning I attended a funeral for a 90 year old church member. The family invited another minister to officiate so I was able to sit in the back, watch, and pray. I visited the woman at the care facility … Continue reading
Grace Bubbles Up
Today began with a four mile walk in 55 minutes. My legs pick up the pace when the temperature falls below freezing, as it did for the first time this fall. The day is ending now as I watch the … Continue reading
Graham Crackers and Theological Degrees
There are no graham crackers in my office. This is a crisis — although a small one as crises go. Apparently someone ate them all. My office needs a box of graham crackers in it. The little comforts matter. I … Continue reading
Healthy and at Peace
Yesterday was a day spent in pastoral care, with a home visit in the morning and a trip up to the University of Michigan Hospital in the afternoon. UofM is my least favorite hospital to visit because it is an … Continue reading
Crystal Lake
We returned this evening from a two day mini camp at Crystal Lake Conference Center. I was a counselor, and my wife was the dean. Crystal is a beautiful place and my favorite in Michigan. We work at this camp … Continue reading
