With the construction of the Church Tower beginning the week of May 13th, Barclay Ave. will be partially closed to accommodate the equipment and scaffolding required for this project.  Please note the following:

• Barclay Ave. will become a one way street going north from Fulton Street.  All exiting traffic from the parking lot will have to

When I met Dr. Karl Stegall he was Senior Minister of First UMC in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Stegall tells of going back home to speak at the annual meeting of the Sumter County Historical Society. The meeting was held as part of a worship service at the Bethel Presbyterian Church, just a few miles from where he was born. He writes "It was a ...

The Tower Campaign Committee has begun working on the committment drive which will culminate on Mother’s Day, May 12. There are several upcoming opportunities to learn more about the new design. Join us to learn more about how the architects at Progressive AE envision how the new tower will look.  The modified tower design, which ...

One of my favorite traditions during the Christmas season is our Youth Group Christmas Decorating Party.  However, it's not at a house or the church.  Our high school youth group goes around the corner to a low-income housing building made up of single units in our Heartside (homeless) community.  All of the residents who ...

The actor Rex Harrison, and his wife, Elizabeth, were dining with a few friends at an exclusive Manhattan restaurant known as Club 21. As often happens to famous people, while they were preparing to order, a handsome young man from another table got up to come over and meet the Harrisons. He said, "I just came off of a big flight, and saw you ...

Summer is a different and wonderful season. Families have children out of school, take vacation trips, spend extended time at beloved cottages and summer homes, entertain guests, and sometimes even occasionally pop into church. It´s a relaxed and less urgent season, a sort of extended sabbath which is good for all of us. It can feel like a...

Greetings, Friends! Can you believe this summer! What a scorcher. It´s times like this that I start dreaming of cooler times; when I look for ways to be cool and stay cool.

The excitement for Arts Alive Camp is building. This year´s theme is "Under Construction." The children who participate will learn the value of "...

Greetings, Friends! Can you believe this summer! What a scorcher. It´s times like this that I start dreaming of cooler times; when I look for ways to be cool and stay cool.

The excitement for Arts Alive Camp is building. This year´s theme is "Under Construction." The children who participate will learn the value of "...

Winston Churchill loved a figure of speech known as paraprosdokians. I had never heard the word before, but I´ve certainly heard the phrase. Here is the definition: "A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation." "...

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As I write this letter a little bird is singing the joys of life on a branch just outside my window, the sun is shining, and the day promises to be warm and beautiful. Summer is only a few days old now, the pace of life (at least for some I´m told) has eased to a ...

Words of Wisdom for Our Graduates (and for the rest of us too!)

It´s that time of year again. Pomp and Circumstance is in the air. Tasseled mortar boards are flying through the air with reckless abandon. The eyes of proud parents are welling up with pride. Tables at open houses are groaning under ...

Who knows where the time goes? One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 90. The words impress me as the thoughts of one who is reflecting on the passing of time:

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

This article is a hodge-podge of items that I haven´t been able to fit in elsewhere. Hopefully these notes will answer some questions and prepare you for the wrap-up of the program year leading into summer.

First, Laurie´s appointment. Laurie has been appointed pastor of the Aldersgate and Plainfield United Methodist Churches. ...

It was in the early morning cool of the day that it happened to me. I was out in the garden pulling up masses of over-grown vinca vine, just minding my own business. As the sweat rolled off my brow and my muscles trembled under the exertion, I felt the first bite, quickly followed by several others. I tried to ignore it for as long as I was able, ...

A deeply resonant voice. An expressive and dramatic ability to tell stories. A great sense of humor. Deep insight conveyed in an enjoyable and persuasive manner. All of these describe why I love to hear Dr. Bill Ritter whenever I can. Those occasions are always far too infrequent which is why I urge you to set aside whatever you have planned for ...