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Mar 2022
I have been asked to cover the blog this week by Pastor Lynn, who has been on vacation. She’s asked me to write about the “Learn. Love. Grow Together.” seminar scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 2. I’m not sure where to begin. As you may know, our United Methodist Church is in disagreement across our connection regarding full inclusion of people who identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We know that not all at St. Mark’s are of one mind on this issue, either. The focus of......
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Help for Ukraine
As we watch the news from Ukraine, it’s easy to feel helpless and fearful. As in other times of social anxiety, our Methodist tradition has direction for us. The United Methodist Church speaks against...
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On Feelings and Science
By now you’ve received and hopefully read the letter from the Lay Leaders about the relaxing of the mandate for wearing masks in our church buildings. Each of our Lay Leaders is on the...
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All Things
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Really? All things? I can’t do all things. I can’t do a gymnastics routine or fly a helicopter or cure cancer or...
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Holy Week
Sunday, March 28, is Palm and Passion Sunday, which is the start of Holy Week. We’ll be blessed with a recorded worship service at 9:45 a.m. that includes lots of music – a...
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Ups and Downs
I’m going to begin today with a prayer and then write about “ups and downs.” Prayer: God of hope and healing, comfort those who mourn, especially those affected by the shootings in Atlanta this...
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A Year
Almost 525,600 minutes since March 15, 2020, when we closed our buildings for in-person worship and other gatherings. The song “Seasons of Love” from the stage musical Rent asks, “How do you measure...
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The Mind of Christ
Two opportunities for you this Sunday, Feb. 28: .Join me for “Coffee With the Pastor” at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a chance to converse with me, ask questions and see others. Lasts...
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Blessings
Art and I are so happy to announce the arrival of our grandson, Harrison Linden Halla-Ragland, born to our son, David, and his wife, Michelle, and big brother, Helios, on Wednesday, Feb. 10...
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Going My Own Way
Nearly every day I do things that I don’t want to do. From eating healthy foods (I’d rather have a stack of cookies) to making a difficult phone call to wearing a mask to...
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