by Michael Frey Eye of newt, wing of bat, toad tongue and lizard nose... Everyone knows these are the ingredients of a spooky witches' spell (or the dining hall menu for next Tuesday). And what Halloween would be complete without one? Ah Halloween, the time when everything gets a little scarier, and your dentist gets a little richer. Childhood...

Grieving is a unique experience. It’s a process that is as individual as the people it affects. Oh yes, there are predictable stages … but the experience of loosing someone  dear to you is truly a very personal journey. Recently I said goodbye to my dear Dad. It’s hard to believe it was only a couple of months ago. I’ve processed a lot...

The Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:1-20) About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown,...

Robyn was angry and confused. She had just discovered that her much beloved roly-poly red robed Santa Claus was a marketing ploy invented in the early 20th century by Coca Cola to encourage consumerism. She was angry because she had been duped by the commercialization of what should be the most meaningful season of the year. She was also confused...

Can God and politics mix?  Is blending them a recipe for suppressing freedoms, grabbing votes, or promoting the public good? God-talk has become popular among US politicians. Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but bipartisan...

At 19 weeks I gave birth to a little boy.  We named him Jacob.  We said hello and goodbye in the same hour. He is not a miscarriage or an almost-child, he is my son.  This letter was written three years after his birth.  This is a glimpse into my mother’s heart, a letter written to Jacob my son who resides in heaven.  If you (or someone you...

Have a specific prayer on your heart this Lent season? Share your requests with a mentor. For many of us, our churches have moved away from the more austere traditions of the past. Our pastors don’t wear suits.  Our worship teams have drummers and you can download a podcast of the sermon.   In many ways church has become more relaxed and...