United Church in Tallahassee

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Ps 24)
Earth Day 2008The theme of Earth Day this year is Call for Climate: global warming action.   Throughout the world countries will both celebrate and challenge each other to reduce global warming.Here is one simple suggestion for today from […]

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Tax Day. Again. 
 I keep reminding myself of this passage from Matthew:
 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they […]

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This Sunday, April 13th, is Good Shepherd Sunday.  It seems to me to follow the theme of last week’s reading of the walk to Emmaus (Matthew 24:13-49):  As Cleopas and another unnamed follower walk the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a stranger joins them and they begin to talk, not realizing that the stranger […]

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Christ is Risen!  Christ is Risen, indeed!
 
Goodness is stronger than evil;
love is stronger than hate;
light is stronger than darkness;
life is stronger than death;
victory is our through Jesus who loved us                                                                                                                                                   Desmond Tutu, South Africa

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Good Friday
           Holy Saturday
                        “Were you there?”
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
We were the silence when no bird sang.
Were you in the garden when the disciples fell asleep?
We were the betrayal in Judas’s kiss.
Were you in the courtyard when the cock crowed three times?
We were the denial in Peter’s mouth.
Were you in Pilate’s […]

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John 13:34-35 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 
Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we remember the Last Supper of the disciples, […]

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The Hebrew Bible reading for Holy Week is Isaiah 50:4-9. (http://www.textweek.com/festivals/) We read this passage as we ended our 11am Palm Sunday worship, moving toward Holy week. Isaiah 50:4-9 4The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning […]

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We are a wilderness people;
we are not a people of paved roads  and polished palaces.
It was not pleasant in the desert   as the people of Israel wandered through.
God  leads us toward a future in mission.
There will be tragic times
as well as
sinful, unpleasant, incidental, celebrative
and hope filled times.
Kennon Callahan, Effective Church Leadership

We are a […]

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The Mennonite Weekly Review+ reports that instead of giving up chocolate or TV for Lent, some churches in the Harrisonburg, Virginia, area have pledged to use less fossil fuel.
 
The Less Oil for Lent campaign is intended to show concern for both the Iraq war and climate change and to call attention to the U.S. addiction […]

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There are many times in life when the sun shines, work is meaningful, our life makes sense and God feels very near.  Then there are the other times. We all know about the wilderness.
The wilderness is not a place our culture encourages us to go.  Our culture encourages organization, preparation, and intentional activity.  Many, if not […]

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