Blogs

On Sunday, Pastor Manuel spoke to our faith-call to bold lives. As we move into a new week, can we think about how we are bold? Why we are bold? Where we will be bold? Love the Lord your God. Be bold. Love your neighbor as yourself. Be bold. What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly? Be bold. God at center; ne...

On the one hand, it doesn't seem possible…end of summer? But depending on what time your alarm goes off in the morning or how you spend your evening hours, the shorter days are becoming evident. Leaves are catching some color and some have already fallen. The cattails are becoming shaggy. The air is changing; in fact, the mornings are now a few deg...

Pastor Manuel just returned from Portland; he made an early trip north today for an Oath Ceremony for the newest U.S. Citizen through the Citizenship Class that had been in operation here at Immanuel, pre-Covid-19. While we don't know the fate of every student who has spent part of their citizenship-educational-process in this place; Pastor Manuel ...

{Passing along, with minimal editing, what a high school student shared with me.} You always seem to talk about Face of God moments during sermons and I had one today. If it is helpful, please share because I think we all need to hear stories like this during this time! I went with my mom to a hardware store to buy a screen door. While I was sittin...

Speaking a 'faithful' response to the bubonic plague that was again raging across Europe in the 1500's, this Martin Luther quote has been making the rounds: 'I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid persons and places where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance...

One of you took the photo and sent this message: 'Bee kind.'

Yesterday included a relaxing sit in the sun and an extended conversation with Kent. Yes, we live at the same address but during the harvest season, most exchanges include the briefest of information: Do you need dinner tonight? Okay, not every chat, but you get the idea. As the conclusion of harvest is nearly, he was thinking about the farm and ho...

From Philippians 4 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts an...

What do you see in the photo? A decaying wagon? A plethora of blooms? It is another case of both/and. Yes, a wagon from a bygone era is showing it's age as it sags under all the years. And yes, it's payload is a collection of colorful flowers. As I walked past today, it seemed to me another lived-metaphor of cup half full/cup half empty. Both are t...

In my dictionary, under Covid-era-conversation: Oh boy; we just don't know. Pastor Leah 

I had to follow a garbage truck today. For this person, that is a genuine test of patience. But as I watched can after can being dumped into his truck, it occurred to me how much I appreciate the people who take away my garbage, who transfer my recycling to the proper spots. And then I thought about others… The folks who are fixing McClain Street. ...

{Shared by permission from one of you.} A life-lesson from Queen Ann's Lace: Instead of three feet tall, she is only three inches. She preserves. She survives. 

In today's Gospel, Jesus offers His disciples a whole new take on defilement. Once again offending the religious folks, Jesus says being unclean is not about what foods we eat or how we prepare them. It's not what going into your mouth and stomach that taints you; it is about your actions, the choices you make, how you treat yourself, those around ...

On my personal to-do list today: Walk A trip to the Saturday market A drive to Newland Ranch for farm fresh eggs {and a quick hello to Eric and Marilyn} Buy berries on the return trip So far, the most difficult decision of the day was, which berries to buy. My brilliant decision-making-skills determined that I would bring home a box of ea...

We call him Dexter and it seems to suit him. On this day he sat on the boulder, almost as though it were his throne. From his vantage point he watched, not missing any of the activity. It reminded me that our God is likewise near. Always near. Always. Pastor Leah

I was recently asked what makes a house a home? Hmmm. My first thoughts included relationships or family. But my mind wouldn't stop spinning. Finally, I arrived at 'effort'. I think the difference between a house and a home is effort because creating a home is a tremendous amount of intentional determination. Caregiving for the people gathered...

Remember to play. Be playful. Laugh. Giggle. Find joy or delight this day. Pastor Leah 

Pending… P ~ is for pandemic, of course. E ~ {in person} educational venues, pending. N ~ negotiating closings, pending. D ~ {travel} destinations, pending. I ~ in-person-worship, pending. N ~ negotiating openings, pending. G ~ God, never pending!  Pastor Leah

During our weekly staff meeting, as we were discussing possible ministry innovations during this season of social distancing, the Hawaiian among us spoke of casting out a fishing line, to see what 'catches'. The pasta-lover in our midst {me!} utilized the analogy of throwing spaghetti at the wall, to see what 'sticks'. Pastor Manuel chimed in, that...

Today one of you happened to be in the building and you poked your head into my study. Part of our conversation came out as a deep and heartbreaking sigh concerning the amount of hate that people are slinging at one and other, especially between folks who see the world differently. It's broken and it hurts. Pastorally, I wonder if people are quick ...