I want to thank everyone for being part of such a positive gathering and conversation last Sunday. The Building Committee has been working on the project for years, but it has been almost entirely behind the scenes. Soil studies, traffic studies, engineering reports, and the like aren’t all that exciting to prepare and review. Perhaps [Read more…]

I have been at RHUMC long enough now (nearly three years!) to declare that one of the annual highlights for me is partnering with youth on their journey toward confirmation. I enjoy getting to know the young people and their families, matching each youth with a mentor, and celebrating their history in the church and [Read more…]

By the time you read this we’ll likely be right in the middle of Easter. It is a busy time for us, but more than that it is a rich and full time. The events of Holy Week, from the parade of palm branches, to the bread broken and cup shared at the Last Supper, [Read more…]

Dear Friends, Easter is a season of surprises, the most notable of which is the amazing power of Christ’s life to move beyond death! The disciples were shocked by the crucifixion of Jesus, flummoxed by the disappearance of his body from the tomb, and stunned by his resurrection appearances among them. Jesus had tried to [Read more…]

“…Now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” – Song of Solomon 2:11-12 Well, these words from scripture may seem a bit premature. In fact, the rain has only [Read more…]

Dear Friends – On the last day of last month, I went to LAX to pick up my daughter. Two airplanes had carried her across miles and time zones to bring her from Brazil for a visit to Southern California. In anticipation of her arrival I laundered sheets and towels, purchased her favorite food, and [Read more…]

The year is barely begun, but already a new season is about to begin. We haven’t even adopted this year’s budget yet, though we meet next Wednesday night to do so (7 p.m. in the Choir Room). That’s the date of our Charge Conference, the annual meeting of a congregation in the United Methodist Church. [Read more…]

Dear Friends – A multitude of opportunities for learning, growth, new life, and sharing in community will characterize the upcoming Lent and Easter seasons.  Below are some of the things I am glad to be preparing. I am hopeful that you will want to join in the fun of one or more of these possibilities. [Read more…]

I thought we had a lovely Christmas. From early morning to the stroke of midnight, it all went beautifully. Two pastors sharing the preaching across five services was a gift for everyone, I think. Christmas Eve doesn’t often fall on a Sunday. But it gave us the chance to see how closely connected the angel’s [Read more…]

Dear Friends: Thank you for your generosity, expressed at year-end both by your gifts to the pastors and staff (much appreciated!) as well as by the time you took to interact with RHUMC’s survey on Children and Youth Ministry. It is fun to read about your special memories drawn from being part of the Sunday [Read more…]