Some of you had the great pleasure of knowing Mary Jean Pagter, a member of Westminster who for the last few years lived in Eugene and who died earlier this year. Gregg and I did not have that pleasure, but we enjoyed notes from Mary Jean now and then, and we drove by her yellow-orange … read
Last Monday and Tuesday, I attended the presbytery’s preaching seminar at Menucha. When I told my colleagues I was preaching on the Ten Commandments today, the news was universally greeted with groans. Maybe it was sympathy, but most of my colleagues either had never preached on the Commandments, or they had done it as part … read
Several years ago, I was back East for a college reunion and was very happy to get together with some of my oldest and dearest friends. While we were walking around campus, my friend Emily asked a favor. Emily and I had roomed together for two years in college and one year after; I was … read
In February of 2018, a woman named Isabella de la Houssaye was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. Later that fall, she competed in – and completed – the Ironman competition in Kona. The Ironman, if you’re not familiar with it, is like a triathlon on steroids: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a … read
When Gregg and Beth asked me to speak on this fifth Sunday, they specifically requested that I speak about being the white mother for a black son. I said I would need to think about it, pray about it, and especially talk to John. But I anticipated that if John agreed, my answer would be … read