With gratitude to Stephanie Pierce who pointed me in this direction — Christmas Story on Times Square billboard screens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INse1lhgZGA and Christmas Story on billboard screens internationally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISbSzWkOSP0 — and yes, thank you, I’m very aware that these productions are not United Methodist in origin. That’s another topic for another time. —- As we move…

EXCERPT: “People put so much emphasis on living more in chronological years,” says Loeckenhoff, the Cornell professor. “People should ask themselves: Why do they want to live longer? What activities that matter to them would they want to spend those extra years on?” SOURCE: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/life-expectancy-longevity-wealth-1f15a18a?st=j7e6rV&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink AND SO? What say you? As always, I look forward…

I really love this Christmas card —This Christmas, may your family be functional and all your batteries be included. — For many, our batteries were included but by now need to be recharged.

“I know that you are worried about the future and exhausted from the past. And it’s hard to move on from the strife we’ve endured to remain “United.”  “But we would be wise to remember that our hope for renewal lies in the willingness of our churches, laity, and clergy to creatively use the connectional…

From inside a Christmas card shared with me by a friend — I hope the holidays bring a chance to rest and recharge. — Maybe that’s what you need to hear. And maybe, even more importantly, that’s something you need to do.

From inside a Christmas card we received — Wishing you love and light in this challenging season. — Who just came to mind? Might be good to check in with that person today.

Written by Matthew West, of all the Christmas music we do this is one of the favorites those of us in The Rivers of Life Clergy Band —Here comes the letdown Christmas is overHere comes the meltdown, there goes the cheerBut before we have a breakdown, let us rememberThe light of the world is still…

From the inside of a Christmas card — A silent night, a star above, a blessed Gift of hope and love. A Merry Christmas to you and your whole family. — Amen!

From a friend whose spouse recently died — To everyone who will be sitting with a full family at Christmas: please never take it for granted. — Please. Never. Especially not now.

Presbyterian poet Ann Weems — Each year the child is born again. Each year some new heart finally hears finally sees finally knows love. And in heaven there is great rejoicing! There is a festival of stars! There is celebration among the angels! For in the finding of one lost sheep, the heart of the…