You know the first time you do something after “that awful thing happened”? For example, the funeral is over and everyone has returned home. It’s time for dinner and realize you have no food, so you have to go to the store. And when you get there you realize this is “the first time since… Continue reading First Time
Saints
November 1 is All Saints’ Day. It comes the day after Halloween. In the liturgical church tradition it is celebrated the Sunday following Halloween – so this coming Sunday, November 6. In churches that celebrate All Saints’ Day, the names of those who have died in the past year are read aloud during the communion… Continue reading Saints
Stop
I keep reading about stillness and slowing down. It pops up in my planner, in books I read, in posts on social media. I’m sensing it in nature as well – the sun isn’t around as long, the trees are taking a break. Even when I’m intentionally trying to be still, my mind races –… Continue reading Stop
Planting Seeds, a sermon
My dad was the pastor at Church of the Saviour UMC in Indianapolis in the late 80s and most of the 90s. I grew up there. A few years ago he returned to this congregation as their part-time pastor. My dad asked if I would spend a Sunday morning with them and share a message. I've… Continue reading Planting Seeds, a sermon
Laid Back
I bought Shauna Niequist’s new book Present Over Perfect a couple weeks ago. I meant to buy it last month, I meant to start reading it when I got it, but I had too many other things to do, I didn’t make the time. The irony is not lost on me. I began reading it… Continue reading Laid Back
Denali
Baby dog. Little nose. Little dog. These are a couple of the nicknames I have for Denali. She is neither a baby nor little. Likewise, out of the many noses in the canine kingdom, hers is not little. However, these names started when she was a baby and little, when her nose was small, so… Continue reading Denali
Pruning
We’ve got 5 very large Rose of Sharon trees/bushes on the south side of our house. Two years ago we cut them back a little, but nothing major. This year, however, every time I come back from taking Denali on a walk, I see those bushes and cringe. They are out of control. Just looking… Continue reading Pruning
Known and Unknown
About twenty years ago I preached my first sermon. It was senior Sunday. I was 17 years old. I stood up in the sanctuary with brick walls that were somehow very warm and inviting. I stood in front of people who were my family – people who loved and supported me, people who welcomed me… Continue reading Known and Unknown
Unfair
At the end of 2007 I had the opportunity to go to Kenya. If you’re into political history, you may remember that this was a horrible time to travel to Kenya. But, I went anyway. There are many stories to share from that journey, but there’s one in particular that’s been on my mind lately… Continue reading Unfair
Be Held
I have this thing with music. I love it but can't love it too much. If I listen to the same songs or album too much, I can’t get it out of my head. Not just, “oh that’s annoying” kind of can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head. It’s the “I can’t sleep and won’t ever sleep again because this song… Continue reading Be Held
Anne Brock 