Welcome to The Pastor’s Page where I share some thoughts about my ministry, new ideas and initiatives for Church-in-the-Garden, and our engagement with society and culture as Christ followers in the world today. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
It has been almost four months since I last sat down and wrote to you as a congregation. Have I missed anything?
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
As we celebrate the Advent season and the understanding of what Christ’s coming means to us as believers, we need to take some time to acknowledge and reflect on this past year. To be sure, this year has been a challenge for every one of us. The situation of this country and the world, not to mention our lives, has changed us in ways we certainly could not have anticipated.
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
I write to you all at an auspicious moment in our lives. We are just days away from a truly historic election day. Given the situation of this country, everyone must exercise their right to vote. Your vote is essential from the top of the ballot to the bottom. Who you cast your vote for matters. Please understand that a political faction in this country wants to limit and deny your voting rights, ensuring their political power and further defining this country's policies and practices that are out of step with most of this country's citizens. More than that, this political faction and its leadership equates Christianity with nationalism. A destructive and deceitful ideology warped with theologically shallow and misguided interpretations of the Bible use to propagate those in power.
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. I am acutely aware of the dark and dangerous feelings that many may be experiencing. Our lives are being tested and tried in so many ways. Having tools and resources to deal with trying times that will curtail the incidences of suicide is needed. We cannot be silent when it comes to depression, anxiety, and an overall sense of fear, that our loved ones may be feeling.
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
The cliché “time does fly” is relevant for many. August is upon us, and the summer months are passing right before our eyes. As we continue to navigate our way through the reality of our lives, I hope everyone is in good health, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I pray that as we continue to traffic in our daily lives, we realize that God is always with us. I cannot stress enough the point that God is with us, and we should continue to seek God in our lives.
Church-in-the-Garden family and friends,
It has been over a month since I have written a Garden Time. So much has happened since I last wrote. As we adjusted to staying home, we all watched as the long-standing pandemic of racism and discrimination overtly showed itself again. Unlike the novel coronavirus, this pandemic has plagued this country since it’s violent inception.
Time in this period of staying at home can play tricks on us. In any given week, we can lose track of what day it is, with whom we have spoken and when we spoke, and what all we said. Recently, I received an email reminding me to enjoy the long weekend. I had to check the calendar to see what weekend it was. The struggle is real, but you are not alone in this battle!
