Today, I begin a week of study to prepare for the upcoming church year- time to pray for God’s good direction for our ministry. In the light of that time away from regular ministry, I hope you will accept a reprise of a letter I wrote a year ago for Memorial Day. This story still brings me to tears…For most of us, Memorial Day is a day for parades, flag waving, and cookouts. For the nation, it is ...  Read More

On January 23, 1943, the SS Dorchester left New York harbor enroute to Greenland with a passenger manifest of just over 900 souls. This civilian liner had been converted for military service in WWII as a troop transport. The Dorchester was a part of a three-ship convoy escorted by Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba, and Comanche. On the eve of February 2, 1943, Coast Guard sonar detected a German...  Read More

At 6:00pm on Thursday, May 8th, eagerly anticipated white smoke appeared over St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Bells began to toll declaring the selection of the 267th Pope for the 1.4 billion faithful in the Roman Catholic Church. Romans and tourists began pouring into the square to be present when the announcement was made. I, too, waited, watching in my study, unable to work on my sermon. Was it cur...  Read More

I have spent the last eight days thoroughly enjoying our newest granddaughter. Our days have revolved around the simple acts of life- snuggles, bottles, and more diaper changes than I care to count. All the while, I have been watching the world respond to the death of one man. For 1.4 billion people, Pope Francis was their spiritual leader. To the world, Pope Francis was the Head of State for the ...  Read More

Today the world mourns…Pope Francis- “The People’s Pope”- died Easter Monday at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was educated as an engineer before becoming a priest. He became the Cardinal of Buenos Aires, known to his people as the “Bishop of the slums” because he chose to move among his people, riding the subway, walking the streets....  Read More

An overnight train from Heidelberg… the promise of a few romantic days in Paris… for parents with three young children, a get-away weekend was a dream come true. We had flown to Germany to visit friends who were stationed in Heidelberg. We hiked the Alps, shopped in Rotenberg, and ate more than our fair share of schnitzel. Then our friends surprised us with tickets and the offer of childcare. Befo...  Read More