Category: Uncategorized

Alternate Route

by Dawson Taylor / Uncategorized / No Comments / October 12, 2020

So [the prodigal child] set off and went to [their parent]. But while they were still far off, [their parent] saw [them] and was filled with compassion; [they] ran and put [their] arms around [them] and kissed [them]. (Luke 15:20b, NRSV) If you drive north on U.S. 41 going from downtown and look east, you […]

Sabbath

by Dawson Taylor / Uncategorized / No Comments / September 3, 2020

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8, NRSV) As we arrive on the precipice of Labor Day weekend, I am thinking about labor. Oregon was the first state to observe Labor Day and it became a Federal holiday in 1894. It’s also commonly recognized as the “unofficial end of summer” and a […]

The Leap of Letting Go

by Deb Kaiser-Cross / Uncategorized / No Comments / September 2, 2020

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or […]

Jesus Gets It!

by Sharon Harris-Ewing / Uncategorized / No Comments / September 1, 2020

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, NRSV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has […]

Family Friday: Trains Are Made for Meditation

by Merrill Noble / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 28, 2020

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8) There is an expression, “Stop the world, I want to get off.” And there is a song […]

Hurricanes

by Dawson Taylor / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 27, 2020

[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39, NRSV) Well, it is the active part of Atlantic hurricane season! As I write this, there are lots of models and spaghetti strings in the Gulf of Mexico attempting […]

Everybody Needs A Song

by Deb Kaiser-Cross / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 26, 2020

Blessed be the Lord, for God has heard the sound of my pleadings. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in God my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to God. (Psalm 28:6-7) One of the greatest gifts of my role in ministry at NUCC is […]

Golden Rule

by Sharon Harris-Ewing / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 25, 2020

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12, NRSV) Do to others as you would have them do to you.  (Luke 6:31, NRSV) What goes around comes around. Karma. You get what you give. There are many contemporary ways of saying that […]

Family Friday: Good Company

by Leanne Badham / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 25, 2020

Bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Whatever we surround ourselves with feeds our spirit, our thoughts, and our emotions. During this time of such unrest and unknown, we are surrounded by negativity. Have you ever noticed that you feel physically drained after being in a pessimistic conversation or group? Our emotional health is […]

Remembering

by David Kaiser-Cross / Uncategorized / No Comments / August 24, 2020

The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10) When I was in Kindergarten, I was hyperactive and hard to manage. The teacher had to send me […]