Dearest family & friends, We are gathered here, amid the beauty of nature, and in the presence of God, to unite Katharine & Benjamin in marriage. Yet, the joy and hope and excitement of this moment beat against a gulf of loss and sorrow. Just days ago, we lost our beloved Victoria, mother of the…Read more Introduction to the Wedding
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Image Sermon
Hope you enjoy watching this; I sure enjoyed making it! Blessed by a trip to Italy! All the photographs by Darlene L. Kelley
Hope
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:3-5 photos: Rev. Darlene L. Kelley
Invocation
Honored and blessed to give an Invocation at County Executive, Mike Hein's, State of the County Address. Our county is strong and innovative and green and beautiful, and our County Executive and his staff are awesome! Here is my prayer: Eternal God of all people and places, fill us with gratitude and grace and open…Read more Invocation
Mid Summer Shout Out: Gratitude and Grace in a Hot Soup Kitchen
Dearest Friends of Caring Hands, I was working on an overdue reply to our treasurer when I realized it wouldn't be a bad idea to give a mid-summer shout-out. Besides it's hot, and this is a good excuse to stay on the cool mountain and use the computer at home. The one in the…Read more Mid Summer Shout Out: Gratitude and Grace in a Hot Soup Kitchen
Eunice
“Eunice is to apple pie what Michelangelo is to the Sistine Chapel,” Rob called out one Sunday morning during the “Joys & Concerns” part of church. And the congregation voiced its approval with chuckles and murmurs, applause and Amen. Eunice’s baking skills were well known. She was the secret weapon of the United Methodist Women’s…Read more Eunice
Cracks
I suspect my cracked rib is God’s way of telling me to sit down and be still. The 46th Psalm gives it to us straight: Be still, and know that I am God. With a broken rib, still is the only choice. I don’t believe in accidents really, so I figure I fell down the…Read more Cracks
White Perch
Amid the unrest and unease and all the talk of race, on the week leading up to the celebration of Dr. King, I experience a timely epiphany and know that somehow I am not as white as I used to be. I used to be pretty white. Maybe not as white as some, but still…Read more White Perch
For Birdie & Christopher
“Never bet against the Steelers.” That’s one of the things my friend, Owen, taught me. I don’t work in a bar anymore, and I’m not a huge football fan, but I’ll always put Owen and the Steelers together. If they ever win a Super Bowl, I’ll think, “Owen must be pleased.” After the Steelers, my…Read more For Birdie & Christopher
Bobby Fitzpatrick
Bobby Fitzpatrick drowned last night in less than two inches of water. That was the shocker, not that Bobby Fitzpatrick was dead, but that he’d drowned in a puddle. To be honest, no one actually measured the depth of the water, but when he arrived on the scene one of the Sheriff’s deputies exclaimed, “Look…Read more Bobby Fitzpatrick
Methodist to Her Madness 