By: Diana Shellenberger After living in this house for 18 years, only today I discovered this pink rose bush. Because it’s located within a tangle of red rose bushes along the south side of the house, I might be forgiven for not...

By: Kajsa Teitelbaum I tend to think of myself as a rather positive person, with a bright outlook on life and the future; however, lately, I have been struggling with keeping that attitude. There is simply too much conflict, evil, and...

By: Carolyn Gard I sit in the front row of the choir, which gives me a great view. If I look to the left, I can see the congregation and check up on who’s there. To the right, I get a close-up of the flowers, the parament, and the...

By: Nancy Wade Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 The Kindergarteners of First Cong taught me much during the past six...

By: Betsy Barrett This piece begins with my journaling, then becomes what I call “God Writing” … when I write to God and God responds.   The sun is shining down on me. My face feels warm and I love sitting with my pen moving...

By: Pedro Silva For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord...

By: Anne Weiher For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die . . . Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 What is the season of our life: how do we define it? Linda Ellis in her book, The...

By: Hilde Raastad Hilde Raastad is a native of Oslo, Norway. She worked as an ordained minister and has been an LGBTQ activist in many European countries. Hilde is a member of the Wednesday memoir writing group at First Cong....

By: Eli McCutchen Matthew 6:25-30: Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds...

Like the beauty of spring unfolding around us, like the crocus and the daffodil poking themselves through the debris of last year’s life, we may look within to find unexpected gifts arising from the fertile mulch of past experience and...