It is hard to offer prayers, when worship was interrupted by a shotgun shattering stained glass. It is hard to embrace the marginalized when rhetoric threatens oppressed and allies alike.

Many well-intentioned congregations get distracted trying to keep everyone happy, an impossible task that only sows seeds for conflict. When we keep  

I not only share these values, but I also intentionally seek to be part of such faith communities that cultivate God’s will to “be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I share just a couple recent examples of how this sense of community is being fostered in and through our congregation. 

This week, we’re sharing an update on Park Ave Youth—a place where young people are discovering God’s love, deepening their faith, and building lasting friendships.

For me, a paperweight received as a parting gift from my first parish captures this well. “A Pastor is one who speaks to your spirit, listens to your heart and understands what words can never say.” 

So if you hear Christians refer to God with female pronouns, they are in good company—with a major biblical prophet, early followers of Jesus, and a medieval mystic whose theology was shaped through deep prayer and solitude.

And know that the leadership board continues to work with our district superintendent as we go through the process of getting an interim pastor in place, and then eventually, our new senior pastor.  We will keep you informed all along the way through these periodic Board Updates in the weekly "News from Park Avenue" emails.