Author: Mike

Designated Pastor for South Congregational Church and First Church of Christ of Pittsfield, MA.

The Sacredness of Voting

Mike

From the September Issue of PNCUCC News: I was 26 years old and living in Dayton, Ohio when I met Kelvin Sauls. Kelvin was from South Africa and attending school at United Theological Seminary. During the time I knew him in the early 1990s, South Africa was going through an amazing, tumultuous time. The freedom struggle was at a fever pitch. Nelson Mandela was freed from prison. All races were getting ready to vote in a general election for the first time. It seemed as though the whole country could either enter a new multiracial era or explode into violence … Continue reading The Sacredness of Voting

Early morning reflection on Exodus 16:2-15

Mike

I’m trying something new. These are once in a while reflections on the scripture of the coming week that I’ll put out and share. You are free to share them and use them for any church setting. You are also welcomed – but not required – to go to http://www.pncucc.org and make a donation to the Pacific Northwest Conference by clicking on the Donate button and giving to Friends of the Conference. Thanks! Continue reading Early morning reflection on Exodus 16:2-15

7/17/2020 COVID-19 PNC Update

Mike

Dear Siblings in Christ: In this week’s lectionary account of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), Jesus follows up with a clear explanation of what the story means. And yet, I ended up thinking about our context, too.  This is a time when, for sectarian purposes, misinformation is getting sown among accurate information and it’s hard to tell what’s false and what’s true some days. Thousands of people have gotten sick and died because of this. Having to take the time to sort out partisan motivations from facts was always resulting in the deaths and suffering of people … Continue reading 7/17/2020 COVID-19 PNC Update

Nikkita Oliver’s Sermon from Plymouth UCC

Mike

Hi friends:Nikkita Oliver is a leader in the Seattle region and beyond and, last Sunday, they preached at Plymouth United Church of Christ. In a relatively short period of time, they were able to connect a wide range of intersecting questions in a pretty amazing way. I asked for permission to share this sermon with you and the tech person at Plymouth was kind enough to clip that part out of the service. Here’s the link to the sermon:https://youtu.be/JxuKK_cSgig Continue reading Nikkita Oliver’s Sermon from Plymouth UCC

The Dance of Inclusion

Mike

Hi all:This is the 2nd offering in a series of offerings from those with particular wisdom and knowledge related to racism. This piece was written by The Rev. Bianca Davis-Lovelace in 2o17. I’ve added her updated bio below the link:The Dance of Inclusion“Rev. Bianca Davis-Lovelace is the Executive Director of Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH Renton) and an ordained United Church of Christ minister. Also, she currently serves as the Washington State Tri-Chair for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.  Bianca earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech from Jackson State University and a Master of Arts Management degree with a … Continue reading The Dance of Inclusion

6-19-2020 COVID-19 PNC Update

Mike

Dear Siblings in Christ: In the liturgical year, the time between Pentecost and the start of Advent (and the time between Christmastide and Lent) was also called “Ordinary Time.” We don’t recognize it in the same way as we do a lot of other seasons in the Christian liturgical cycle but it is the longest.  In my own spiritual life, I tend to look at the time during the other named seasons as opportunities to remember, renew, and re-integrate some of the central stories of our faith and to remember, renew, and re-integrate some of the central practices the stories … Continue reading 6-19-2020 COVID-19 PNC Update

THIS IS THE STATEMENT

Mike

Over the past several months, I’ve tried to share with you the wisdom and knowledge of public health officers, epidemiologists, religious leaders, and medical professionals who are helping us modify our perspectives and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to do so. Over the coming weeks, I’m also going to do the same with those who have similar wisdom and knowledge related to racism. Many of these voices will come from within our conference and denomination and some will come from our wider community. This first piece is from Pastor Jermell Witherspoon, pastor of Liberation UCC and Everett UCC and a member of the Pacific Northwest Conference Board. With hope,Mike “We are in mourning. The earth is in mourning. The trees are … Continue reading THIS IS THE STATEMENT

A prayer for peace…

Mike

Dear God: This morning, I pray for peace. Again. Almost every time I do, I remember these benedicting words from Philippians: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” On the hardest days, I come back to these words as a plea or as grace or as comfort …or, somedays, a pray these words as an excuse; as though peace is truly beyond understanding, is truly beyond human implementation so  I shrug my shoulders and surrender to not understanding. I surrender to no effort. Dear God, this morning, help … Continue reading A prayer for peace…