Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, Nearly every week, I include in our prayer time some version of: We must pray and work to end our societal addiction to guns and our addiction to gun violence as a way to solve our problems. You might (reasonably) wonder: What should we do? One of the blessings of […]
Ending our addiction to gun violence Read More »
Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, As the popular song by Shaboozey suggests, 2025 has us “Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth; I need some good news.” With the heresy of Christian Nationalism, childhood hunger, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community all currently on the rise in our country (to name just a few cold truths),
Cold Truths Need Good News Read More »
This week Chris Vause and I are sharing our experiences from Annual Conference last month. Here are a few slides to set the context; how the UMC is organized. What is Annual Conference?— The annual conference is a regional body, an organizational unit, and a yearly meeting.— Confusing!— Ours is Northern Illinois Annual Conference United
Sermon slides for July 20: #YBUMC? Grace Read More »
Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, It is natural and normal for us to feel horrified and even helpless when we learn of natural disasters like the devastating flooding in central Texas on July 4. However, when it comes to feeling helpless, allow me to quote a lyric from my favorite band: “that is not our
A Prayer for Texas Read More »
UMC Book of Discipline, Paragraph 346.2 “Ordained Clergy From Other Denomination” Reasons to Reject the UMCOur History:— Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and Indigenous Boarding Schools— 2 Methodist Bishops signed the letter to MLK, Jr. attempting to discourage him and his work for justice for Black Americans— 50 years of targeting, harassing, and ostracizing LGBTQ+
Sermon slides July 6: #YBUMC Read More »
Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, In the United Methodist tradition, July 1st is the beginning of clergy appointments. Meaning, this week marks the official start of year three of our pastor and parish relationship! I’m thrilled and honored to continue to be your pastor. That’s just the first of a few items on my mind
Thought firecrackers?? Read More »
Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, This is the third entry in this series of letters white-boarding our congregation’s purpose, mission, and vision. Read part 1 on purpose here and part 2 on mission here. While there are multiple ways to define those terms, as I understand them, our purpose is our “why.” Our mission is
Where are we heading? Read More »
Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, As I understand them, our purpose is our “why.” Our mission is our “what we do.” Our vision is “who we are called to be.” That’s what I have in mind each Sunday during our Welcoming time when I remind us of our congregation’s purpose, mission, and vision: Our Purpose
What is our mission? Read More »
These are the slides I’ll show during my sermon. I post them here so anyone can access them again…but mainly for the benefit of those participating in the worship service online. Our camera mostly doesn’t show the slides (though we are in process of upgrading our system!), so I post them here. Hope this helps!
Sermon slides June 15: That’s the Spirit! Trinity Read More »
Christmas Eve at Minooka UMC
Wednesday, Dec. 24
4:00PM featuring Pop-up Pageant
9:00PM featuring Communion
