By Carol Young
Jesus was totally nonviolent and calls us to practice and teach Gospel nonviolence and welcome God’s reign of peace and nonviolence, which means from now on, we work for the abolition of war, poverty, racism, gun violence, the death penalty, nuclear weapons, environmental destruction, and all violence.
By D. Kirk Nordstrom
When I write a scientific paper, it is nearly always something new and original. I have done a calculation not tried before or considered a new model or approach for a stubborn problem and there is an audience of people who respond favorably. This audience sees the implications and applications of my work and carry it further.
By Amy Ostwald
“How will you align intentions with your actions?” Mindy Sharp asks us in Everything in Between, A Lenten Devotional Guide. “Not easily,” is my answer to her. I confess that I am easily distracted; I allow all sorts of things to capture my attention and then I pounce on them with spontaneous energy — much like a dog in a yard with lots of squirrels.
By Chris Braudaway-Bauman
You are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19
We are made of stardust, the scientists say – the carbon in our muscles, the calcium in our bones, the iron in our blood. Every oxygen atom in our lungs was created inside a star before Earth was formed.
By Bob von Trebra
This coming Sunday is the last Sunday before the beginning of the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, which will be March 5 this year. This Sunday is observed as “Transfiguration Sunday,” because the traditional gospel lesson on this Sunday is the story of Jesus going up a mountain with three of his disciples, and being “transfigured” or changed in appearance.
By Carolyn Gard
We were recently treated to a fascinating celestial event. Six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn – were in the planetary alignment with the moon. Not only could the astronomers tell us when this would happen, they told us when it will happen again. Like hundreds of others, I went outside and watched the event in real time. As I watched.
By Nancy Wade
It is probably an understatement to say that we have all become a little twitchy and snappish since the election. I know I have. I feel distracted and overwhelmed, irritable and alarmed. It’s a bit too much, isn’t it? Early last week, after spending four days cooped up in the house due to the cold weather, I decided a trip somewhere – anywhere – felt essential.
By Phil Braudaway-Bauman
Little Sylvie sat comfortably in her mother’s arms, intently watching the preparations for her baptism. But just before her soft locks were dampened through the ancient and sacred ritual, we made space for congregational promises to the young child, together welcoming Sylvie into Christ’s church, and inviting her “to share with us the cost and joy of discipleship.”
By Jeanne and Tom Lounsbury
We like to travel. We like to travel a lot in retirement. Travel and volunteering have been our biggest focuses since we retired. Staying connected with First Congregational Church has been an interesting and integral part of keeping our Colorado connections active.
By Keith Lance and John Bisceglia
Thanksgiving. Advent. Christmas. New Year’s Eve. Epiphany. And MLK Day. All of the seasonal holidays that mark the close of one year and the beginning of another have one thing in common – they are essentially communal.
