I’m back! It has been an excellent renewal leave for me to reflect on what God has in store for the future. The time away included a good mix of relaxation, study, prayer, and reflection. I am so grateful to our great staff and so many of you in the congregation who have served faithfully in my absence. During my leave, I…

As I prepare for my sermon this week, I am reminded of everything women have had to endure in order to be treated equally under the law. It was not that many years ago that women could not own property, would not be considered fit to raise their children if their marriage ended in divorce, could not go to college, could not…

Wow! We had an awesome Vacation Bible School week. Our campus was filled with the laughter of children and the excitement of learning about Jesus. We are so grateful to all our volunteers. You were Amazing! No matter how big or small the job was you stepped up just like Isaiah and said: “Here I am!” What a blessing you were to…

Wow! Monday is the first day of Vacation Bible School! We are so excited about hosting an in-person VBS this year. Niki has made lots of plans. We have a lot of wonderful volunteers and over 70 children who will be on campus learning about Jesus and how he loves them and how God is always there for them in all circumstances.…

As many of you are aware, I am currently spending time on renewal leave. This means that I am taking a few weeks away from my normal preaching and church leadership duties to study, reflect, plan, and relax as I ask for God’s Holy Spirit to recharge my batteries. I am very grateful that our United Methodist Church provides this opportunity for…

Memorial Day is upon us and I imagine we will all find some time to spend with family and friends celebrating this three-day weekend. Especially now that some of the Covid restrictions are being lifted. But this weekend is also a time that has been set aside to honor all the service men and women who have died fighting for the freedoms…

It seems almost impossible that we are coming to the close of the month of May and summertime will be here with all the fun and good times summer offers. This year we will be able to travel, attend camps, have social gatherings, cookouts, and many other activities we were not able to do last summer. We are coming into the time…

Greetings Grace Family! I am excited about all the events that are beginning to fill the church calendar. Although I had forgotten how many meetings there are, I am grateful we are seeing light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. This past Sunday we began congregational singing after 14 long months (with masks on still). We are looking at other activities…

Dear Grace Family: I am terribly excited for the opportunity to serve this church and community for a seventh year starting July 1, 2021. Between now and then, I will be involved in study, prayer, and planning. After serving full-time as a United Methodist pastor for the last thirteen years, I am taking my first renewal leave (for May and June). Our…

One of the most significant privileges for pastors and congregations is to affirm and encourage men and women who feel called into ministry. Did you know that we have someone who is exploring a ministry calling? Lilly Hibbard, who currently leads The Five every Sunday, is an exploring candidate for ordained ministry. If you have never attended The Five, come check it…