from jeannie's desk

Pastor's Blog

Click below to read weekly messages from Rev. Jeannie Himes, senior minister of St. Stephen's United Methodist church. 

  • The container of prayer

    July 2, 2020 - This week I have been listening again to Pádraig Ó Tuama, an Irish theologian, poet, and religious leader, who also happens to be gay. I am always inspired by what  he has to say. This time, it's about prayer:

     

  • we create paths

    June 25, 2020 - Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking - Antonio Machado


    I'm thinking this week about the journey we are all on, the shaky ground on which we are trying to keep our footing. It's not just an uncharted path we navigate, but one in which we can't see what lies ahead, and have no idea how long it is or where we will be when we emerge.

  • the one that is at higher risk matters

    June 18, 2020 - This week I read a comment and biblical reference in regard to "Black Lives Matter." The person was referring to people who want to insist that all lives mattering is being left out when one says this. The scripture he used was Luke 15, the parable of the Lost Sheep.

  • Restorative rituals

    June 11, 2020 - Restorative Rituals. When I read that term a few weeks ago, as an idea for helping us cope with our stay-at-home policies, immediately a litany of thoughts came to mind. Small rituals, personal rituals, family rituals, community rituals. I thought of nature-based rituals, daily rituals, weekly rituals, ordinary rituals and out of the ordinary rituals. I thought of religious rituals - both corporate and individual.