A Plea for Peace This week’s Nutshell comes to you well past our usual Friday deadline, not because of procrastination, but rather exasperation. I had prepared what I thought would be a happy and uplifting message about new life to set the tone for your weekend, but it became apparent that I could not ignoreContinue reading “In A Nutshell | May 29, 2020”
Author Archives: Oak Chapel UMC
In A Nutshell | May 22, 2020
Are We There Yet? Remember when you were a child, and your parents took you on vacation? The car was packed to the gills, and you and your siblings were practically sitting on top of each other (because most of us did not wear seatbelts back then). Those were the days…or so we thought. NoContinue reading “In A Nutshell | May 22, 2020”
In A Nutshell | May 15, 2020
Nutshell – A Renewed Call to Prayer I’ve been here at Oak Chapel for almost a year — and a very blessed year it has been for me, despite the crow, the cat, the break-in, and the pandemic — but even after 11 months, I still find myself sorting through old files here at theContinue reading “In A Nutshell | May 15, 2020”
In A Nutshell | May 8, 2020
Take Time to Celebrate, Even During Difficult Times I guess I never realized how momentous the first 10 days of May could be. OnTuesday of this past week, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates theMexican Army’s victory over the French Empire (although I guess it’s become lessabout liberation and more about libations). On Sunday,Continue reading “In A Nutshell | May 8, 2020”
In A Nutshell | May 1, 2020
Since You’ve Been Gone Most of you have been sheltering at home during the past seven weeks, and wisely so, but I have to tell you that things are getting pretty lonely here at the church. You are missed more than you could ever know, and we long for your return. I am hopeful thatContinue reading “In A Nutshell | May 1, 2020”
In A Nutshell | April 24, 2020
For the Birds… Do you remember when you were young hearing your parents say that something was “for the birds”? It was an expression that emerged near the end of World War II and meant that something was “worthless” or “useless.” It was commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s before falling out of theContinue reading “In A Nutshell | April 24, 2020”
From the Pastor’s Desk | April 21, 2020
What Can I Do? That’s a question many of us have been asking during the past six weeks when we have been asked to shelter in place. It is a very good question and one deserving of faithful contemplation and consideration. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called upon to be readyContinue reading “From the Pastor’s Desk | April 21, 2020”
In A Nutshell | April 17, 2020
Facing Our Fears First the coronavirus, then the burglary. Our church has certainly faced its share of challenges in recent weeks. So, what do we do? How should we respond? Do we run away in terror, or do we step up and face our fears? I admit to being a little skittish since last week’sContinue reading “In A Nutshell | April 17, 2020”
In A Nutshell | April 10, 2020
Highway Robbery By now, you are probably aware that our church was robbed sometime between 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. on Thursday. My first clue that something was awry when I entered the church was that the main office door was open. It is almost always closed. Then I could seeContinue reading “In A Nutshell | April 10, 2020”
In A Nutshell | April 3, 2020
Cracking Open the Nutshell Welcome to Week 2 of the Nutshell relaunch. I hope you are well and that you are taking it easy during this time of slowdown and separation — which, when you think about it, is not all bad. Take some time to relax and reflect during this time. The pace ofContinue reading “In A Nutshell | April 3, 2020”