Posts by admin (Page 7)
Holding in Tension
March 29, 2023A Note from Molly Collier Dear Friends, I recently went skiing with some friends, and we were reminded of some very valuable lessons before we even hit the slopes. Mind you, this is Ohio skiing. I’m not sure if I can call them slopes, but they were high enough for me, a novice skier who hadn’t skied in over 10 years. It’s okay to ask for help The first lesson we were reminded of was that it’s okay…
It’s almost Farm Market season!
March 22, 2023A Note from Amanda Nofzinger Dear Friends, When I was a little kid going to the Farm Market with my grandparents in Michigan, I never really thought about what it would take to run one. I had no idea that that little seed of tradition would lead me into the role I play today. Now that I am the Farm Market Manger, let me share with you what it takes to organize the summer market. December: January: February:…
Curiosity
March 15, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, Curiosity killed the cat? (But did it really?) Growing up I remember when I found myself asking too many questions (never understood what that means) that the grownups started saying, “You know, Jon, curiosity killed the cat.” It only took a few times of hearing that statement before becoming conditioned to stop asking questions out of my own curiosity. My curiosity was often stifled and discouraged. As an Enneagram 9 (see…
Seasons of Change
March 8, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, This week, my younger child turned 13. I remember people telling me that the time would fly by. Most days it didn’t feel like that. So much of parenting is the little moments, the daily routines, the consistent showing up to the needs that are happening in the present moment. It’s slow and steady and repetitive kind of work. So many days I felt like a broken record repeating the same…
Looking for a place to serve?
Have you been looking for a place to serve in the church? Here are our greatest areas of need right now:
Rest & Renewal
March 1, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, On Sunday I shared with the congregation that I’ll be taking a few months away this late summer and fall for a season of renewal leave (July 16-November 13). In the United Methodist Church, pastors are encouraged by our Book of Discipline to take some time away every six years for rest and renewal. Both Pastor Jon and I took a time of renewal leave before we began our appointments here…
Learning in Community
February 22, 2023A Note from Beth Palmer Dear Friends, I have always loved school. I can remember all my elementary school teachers’ names. I loved learning and being with my friends. I still remember the satisfaction I felt at coming up with an enormous list of homonyms in about third grade (words that sound the same but are spelled differently, remember?). I still have some of my artwork. High school wasn’t my favorite, but I remember a great physics class…
The Bible
January 15, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, I’ve had an evolving relationship with the Bible over my life. As a child, I found the stories presented to me on flannel boards mildly interesting. Aside from the story of Jonah and the whale (a favorite of mine), I wasn’t particularly drawn in by the church services or Sunday School lessons. Jesus seemed like a nice guy, but very distant from my actual life. I did, however, read my Bible…
Music & Church
February 8, 2023A Note from Ryan Freudenburg Dear Friends, Growing up in my family, there were two constants: music and church. The two were often a package deal. My childhood was full of Sunday services, youth group, church camp, worship bands, choirs, the list goes on. Not only is music a huge part of my life, but it is also a huge part of my faith. I grew up in a conservative church, and as I left college and entered…
Anxiety
February 1, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, Over the years, I’ve started to notice the telltale signs in my body that indicate that things are off. Achy shoulders and a stiff neck? Usually I’m feeling SAD. Headache and sinus pressure? Usually I’m OVERWORKED and need a break. Tightness in my lower back or trouble breathing? Usually I’m feeling ANXIOUS. It took me a long time to admit to myself that anxiety was something I struggle with. I used…
All Will Be Well
January 18, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, In August 2020 I wrote a Letter of Encouragement that shared my struggles with a troublesome mantra that I had learned during Basic Training in the US Army. It was three words that for so long defined the way I took on any objective or project put before me: KILL THE HILL. Kill the Hill: Revisited I invite you to go back and read that reflection from 2020. We were in…
Slowing Down
January 11, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, I wasn’t always into poetry. I am learning to appreciate its gifts more as time passes, especially the kind of poetry that speaks plainly and clearly, and gives me space to listen to what lies within the words for me. This past Sunday, we read a poem in worship by one of my favorite writers, Jan Richardson. It was a poem written for Epiphany, which falls 12 days after Christmas. Epiphany…