Tag Archives: Laurie McNeill

Once We Were Methodists

Posted on March 11, 2019 by bjp2138

Once we were Methodists, not by affiliation but in practice.  There was a time when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) did not allow people who are openly GLBTQ to be ordained as officers, and the marriages of all were not recognized.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Hearing and Understanding

Posted on May 21, 2018 by pdalcorn

After Kim Clijsters lost the French Open tennis tournament in 2001, she won the hearts of the crowd.  She spoke in French at the awards ceremony, and the people were delighted to hear the Belgian citizen speak their language.  Clijsters … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rebuke and Restoration

Posted on March 18, 2018 by pdalcorn

“Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:33) Jesus’ words to Peter are both a rebuke and a call.  The rebuke compares Peter to Satan.  The call is when Jesus says, “Get behind me.”  This is Jesus’ way of saying, “Follow me.” Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wedding of the Waters

Posted on November 6, 2017 by pdalcorn

Clinton got the credit, although the idea was first proposed in 1724 by Cadwallader Colden.  Governor Dewitt Clinton was determined to build the Erie Canal. The governor appropriated a whopping $7 million to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Paradise Found

Posted on April 3, 2017 by pdalcorn

“Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”  (Luke 23:43) Expulsion and restoration: these are the bookends of Scripture. Like Adam and Eve, we are cast out of the Garden.  Rather than rejoicing at what we have, we are tempted … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE YEAR OF REVERENCE

Posted on January 9, 2017 by pdalcorn

2017 is the Year of the Rooster. The Chinese have zodiac signs that follow a 12-year cycle featuring a specific animal each year.  The rooster prompts an image of crowing and the cry to wake up and get to work! … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Betty’s Story

Posted on June 13, 2016 by pdalcorn

“My parents are from Ramallah.”  Betty spoke these words softly as we stood in the narthex after worship.  No one else was able to hear the revelation that Betty was 100% Palestinian.  She was not ready to be open with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Holy, Lowly, Refugee

Posted on December 27, 2015 by pdalcorn

Matthew 2:13-15 An angel of the Lord warns Joseph to flee. Jesus was a refugee.  Christians seldom attach that description to the Christ child. We are willing to attach Jesus to his birth mother, Mary; to his adoptive father, Joseph; to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A WAY IN A MANGER

Posted on December 24, 2014 by pdalcorn

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. Serene Christmas images … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment