A Word of Blessing | Part 3 of 3
This week’s is the last. And as I look ahead to this Sunday—my final Sunday with you—I realize there’s so much I want to say. Actually, more than I have words for.
So maybe it’s enough to begin with this: Thank you!
Thank you for letting me walk with you — through the ordinary and the sacred, celebration and sorrow, change and challenge.
Thank you for your trust.
Your honesty.
Your stories and your prayers.
And for shaping me as much as I hope I’ve helped shape you.
A Word of Blessing | Part 2 of 3
When you’ve shared life with people—
not just moments, but meals and memories,
not just Sundays, but stories—
something sacred takes shape.
A kind of belonging is born.
One that doesn’t depend on always being together,
but on having been changed by the togetherness.
A Word of Blessing | Part 1 of 3
This is holy work.
It rarely moves in a straight line.
It breaks things open.
Makes you wait.
Asks more questions than it answers.
Always unfinished
That’s been on my heart a lot lately—especially as Amy and I prepare for our own transition and as Park prepares to welcome a new pastor. There’s so much I love about Park Avenue—and so much we’ve done together. But also? There’s still so much unfolding. That’s the nature of the spiritual journey.
A Word for the Season of Change
Sharing the news about our upcoming move to Houston was not easy—but your grace, warmth, and steady love reminded me, once again, what makes Park such a remarkable community.
I also promised to share more as I was able, and I’m now glad to tell you that I will be appointed as the pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas.
So, what happens next?
So what happens next? Not just what’s next on the calendar (though there’s plenty coming up). What’s next for us as a resurrection people?
I shared with you on Sunday that resurrection isn’t just personal. It’s not only about individual hope or private freedom. It’s about bringing a community into existence that didn’t exist before. That’s what resurrection does.
Holy Week and Easter
This week is Holy Week, an important week in the life of our faith and in the church. I hope you'll be able to take part in some or all of the opportunities and join us for worship on Easter Sunday. If you have family or friends in town, bring them along. I'd love to meet them. Feel free to invite a friend or two, as well.
Wave the Branches, Bring a Friend, Eat Some Pancakes
It’s also a beautiful Sunday to invite someone along. Maybe a friend, a family member, a neighbor — someone who could use a reminder that God is still at work in this world, bringing love, healing, and hope. A simple invitation could make all the difference for someone this week.
Expect the unexpected
And sometimes, the Spirit shows up in the middle of an ordinary day—
through a text you weren’t expecting,
a kind word from a stranger,
a quiet moment of clarity when everything felt like chaos.
Imagine this
Imagine God throwing a party not for the perfect,
but for the lost-and-found,
the almost-gave-ups, the bitter older siblings,
and the still-learning-how-to-love crowd.
Reshaped, Never Rejected
Opening ourselves to divine hands that work with the whole of who we are—flaws, cracks, and all—to form something meaningful, something new.
Stop Stealing the Pen (Easier Said Than Done!)
I can relate to a deep desire to trust that God is continuing to write my story—with various plot lines, twists and turns, conflicts and denouements
Lent Is Here—Choose Justice, Love, and the Beloved Community
It’s a vision deeply rooted in the gospel and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief that “power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.”
A season to turn and grow
What is Lent?
As you may know, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day journey of repentance, renewal, and preparation for Easter (Sundays don’t count in the 40, in case you’re doing the math!).
Taking a stand — here’s why
We are in a challenging, deeply serious, and troubling time. The landscape of immigration policy continues to shift, impacting vulnerable families, children, and individuals in ways that should stir both our faith and our compassion. I want you to know that at Park, we are not just watching—we are preparing. A team is in place, working on our readiness and engagement procedures so we can respond with the love and welcome that the gospel calls us to embody.
Faith & Fake News
If you’re like me, and you’ve sometimes felt like the Jesus you read about in Scripture seems different from the one you’ve been told about… if you’ve wrestled with teachings that don’t seem to reflect the love and grace of God… or if you’re simply curious about deepening your faith, this series is for you.
We see you
In a time when limiting definitions are being celebrated about gender and met by too many with enthusiastic applause, we are witnessing declarations about who’s in and who’s out, who’s valued and who’s not. Racialized rhetoric and systemic changes continue to threaten all of God’s beloved. And when the name of Jesus is used in vain to attempt to sanitize hatred—I’d like to make this clear:
We see you.
Honoring the Beloved Community
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I want to share an inspiring perspective on his vision of the Beloved Community. Rooted in the biblical concept of agape—God’s unconditional love—King envisioned a world where faith and action come together to create justice, peace, and unity.
Membership at Park! Are You Ready to Say Yes?
Membership is a declaration of belonging. It’s saying: "‘I choose to belong here, to be part of this expression of Christ’s Church called Park. I’m committed to walking my spiritual journey in this community with these folks. Gregg
