What does it mean to be Presbyterian today? This is a question Presbyterians and the Presbyterian Church have wrestled with from the beginning. For much of our history going back to the Protestant Reformation, Presbyterians have defined ourselves based on our...
School supplies lists. I remember them. Three of them each Fall, one for each child. All of them long, not only pencils and paper but, hand sanitizer before hand sanitizer was cool, tissues, wipes, erasable markers, highlighters, scissors. Often a new bookbag and a...
An auditorium full of teenagers, each participating in simple choreographed dance moves to various songs. Some youth are all in, some less so, but, boy, is there a lot of energy. If you’ve ever been to a Presbyterian youth conference, you, too, have probably done an...
The photos are one thing, the stories behind them are what matter. Perhaps you saw some of the photos on social media from our time at CROSS Missions in Charlotte? Donna Chase and I were fortunate to have been with these youth. This recap is connected mostly to six...
“Just because something is easy to measure doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Or that it matters.” This is a quote from Seth Godin’s latest book, The Song of Significance. Godin is arguing for leaders to focus on the right things, rather than on ready distractions. He goes...
I don’t know about you, but I have always loved good children’s books. I marvel at the way authors can creatively communicate so much through a story that we – children of all ages – can enjoy. We recently read Max Lucados’ You Are Special. By the last few pages we...
This past week some of the staff and congregation members participated in a 2-day training to be a Mental Health First Aider. The training was conducted by the Kellin Foundation, an amazing organization here in Greensboro. We know that mental health challenges are on...
“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I’ve never met anyone who liked to say goodbye. Good riddance, maybe, but not goodbye. Many avoid goodbyes and just disappear without a word. But goodbyes are important....
As I write this, I am sitting in the jury assembly room, just back from our lunch break. So far, I’ve not been called to serve. So far, I’ve been sitting, waiting, and working. It is quiet. There is coffee and wi-fi. All in all, not a bad way to spend the day, other...
We meet as a staff to pray on Wednesdays, praying through the congregation’s prayer concerns and lifting your praises. It is beautiful to see the places where you all have sensed God’s presence throughout the week. Oftentimes, the beauty of creation is mentioned –...
