Author Archives: Pastor Catharine

December 13, 2020 Patience is a virtue – which makes me VERY unvirtuous as I have never been a patient person!  Patience also is a portion of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so I know have a very long way to go in my journey of spiritual transformation!  This reality check was a realContinue reading “God’s Gifts at Christmas: 3. Patience”

I may be a bit slow out of the gate, but a bulb (Christmas bulb?) lit up in my brain recently.   One of God’s gifts at Christmas is the gift of choice and examples of how our choices affect not only our own lives but the lives of those around us.   We so blithely readContinue reading “God’s Gifts at Christmas: 2.Choice”

I have been watching The Crown on Netflix lately. Though I had already watched the first three seasons, I needed a refresher because I didn’t remember a whole lot! While watching this time, I noticed something I missed before: the intentional inaccessibility of the royals to the ‘common people.’   With the anointing by the Archbishop of Canterbury,Continue reading “God’s Gifts at Christmas: 1. Accessibility”

November 22, 2020 Someone recently remarked that perhaps we shouldn’t celebrate a new year before we have had the chance to see how it plays out; maybe we should celebrate the year after it proves itself – not before.  I f that were the case, 2020 would perhaps be the least celebrated year ever – butContinue reading “Thankfulness in 2020: Where, exactly?!”

November 15, 2020 ‘Because I said so’ – the words of a parent about to be defeated by a two-year old.   I really didn’t love that explanation coming from  my parents when I was little, and I couldn’t believe it when I heard those same words coming out of my mouth as a parent to myContinue reading “Because I Said So…”

November 8, 2020 Today the election was decided.  Today many folks are ecstatic and many are despairing.   Today we are being given an opportunity to reflect on what was and consider what we want to become going forward. These last few months and years, the shadowy places in our hearts and minds, our families and ourContinue reading “What Now? Take a Good Look!”

November 1, 2020 These days so many people are taking so many stands about so many different things.  Folks hear a slogan, get wind of a cause, and jump on the train – oftentimes without thinking through the responsibility that comes with whatever they have chosen to support.   Most causes begin with a core of well-intentionedContinue reading “Taking A Stand Means More Than Wearing a T-Shirt and Carrying a Placard”

October 18, 2020 Genesis 1:1-2:  In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  Just imagine:  creation not yet defined; chaos (typically denoted by ‘waters’ in the Hebrew Bible) everywhere; the windContinue reading “Finding Goodness in the Midst of Chaos”

October 11, 2020 I don’t know about you, but sometimes, during my devotions – or when talking with folks – I find myself being held accountable by the Holy Spirit. I will read a devotional that catches me up short as I hear in my spirit the Holy Whisper – “Catharine, you might want toContinue reading “Yokes and Holy Whispers”

October 4, 2020 I use to find it sardonically amusing to think about some of the mixed messages we send our children:  Don’t take candy from strangers!  Yet, it’s okay to run up to a stranger’s house, say ‘trick or treat’ and get some candy!  Don’t talk to strangers and absolutely don’t tell them anythingContinue reading “Mixed Messages and Our Children”