In recent weeks, the Justice and Love in Action Team (formerly the Board of Wider Mission) has received correspondence from several organizations we support, letting us know that our efforts make a huge difference. Here are some updates. For several years, the African Community Education Project in Worcester has received Seeds of Grace grants […]
Devotions for Random Reflection on Home Page
Gardening in the Alley
Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 15:3-6; Matthew 11:28-30 They took us to the alley–and the doorways and the park bench and the late-night restrooms. Garrett and Leigh–one homeless, one recently housed, both on the staff of common cathedral’s City Reach youth weekend. I have attended the overnight twice, each time with a confirmation class. Garrett took Jacob […]
Unnamed Heroes
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s […]
Peacemakers
Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15 As we reflect on the violence that is a part of Holy Week and give thanks for the young people who are calling us to work together to end gun violence […]
Maundy Thursday
Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus […]
To the Hills
I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where does my help come? Psalm 121:1 Today I literally made space. I helped to clean out a huge closet that was stuffed floor-to-ceiling with moving boxes. We unpacked the boxes, figured out where each thing should go in our still new-to-us home, and determined what […]
When My Eyes Were Healed
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table […]
Positive Light
You, O God, are my strength and my shield; in you my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to you. Psalm 28:7 Two years ago, I told a friend I foresaw a shared living arrangement in my near future. Less than six months later, […]
Through the Storm
What are human beings, that you make so much of them, that you set your mind on them, visit them every morning, test them every moment? Job 7:17-18 I worked alongside and became friends with Andy several years before I learned his backstory. I knew him to be a deeply faithful man, a very supportive […]
Spiral Mollusk
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in divine and human favor. Luke 2:52 Art Norton sent this photo following our worship service on Sunday, March 11th, in which the choir sang a piece based on a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., using the growth of the shell of a nautilus shell as […]