Reflections

Sometimes when I am trying to explain what kind of a congregation I serve, I am tempted to begin by explaining what we are not. You look at the way that Christians are portrayed in the media, and from the get-go we start on the defensive that we are not-closed-minded and that we... Read more →

Experiencing play in community can be a holy thing. Halloween, has long ago-Christian roots, and today along with its spooky connections can be a time of dressing up in community. It can be one of the times that we cross thresholds to know our neighbors and where young and old... Read more →

Over the last couple of weeks, the news of tragic events has been constant. People’s responses have been made public in news reports, social media platforms and in private conversations. Over time, the words we use in response to tragedy has varied. I can remember a time when the... Read more →

Our reflection today comes from Office Manager Mariah Pepper:   It was hazy when I woke up this morning, and my first thought was “is it smoke season already?” It’s not yet, but we all know it’s coming. This is our new normal. The first year we had prolonged smoke cover, it... Read more →

On the day you honored me with a call to ministry at First Congregational Church of Bellevue, I remember feeling like the winner of a beauty pageant as I stood in the chancel of our wonderful sanctuary. On that day in November of 2017, I had no idea what mysteries lay in the... Read more →

This week’s reflection comes from Office Manager Mariah Pepper: It’s summer, which means things have slowed down a fair amount around the office. It also means it’s time for me to get going on all the big organizational projects I wrote down all year for “when I have time.”... Read more →

Called to serve this congregation as the Pastor for Children and Youth, you have known me to love sacred silliness.   Such theologians as Meister Echkahrts, C.S Lewis, John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux are some of the official sources that formed this theological... Read more →

Many Gifts: One Spirit, the theme of our Pacific Northwest Annual Gathering, brought more than 200 members from UCC congregations into our sanctuary last Friday night and all day Saturday.  On Friday night, we were inspired by four preachers:  Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy, Rev. Amy Roon,... Read more →

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”   Thank you for... Read more →