This sermon was delivered on June 30, 2024 for Open and Affirming Sunday/Pride Sunday. The scripture references are 2 Corinthians 8 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25. Paul, the author of these letters, has a lot to say to two groups of people, trying to be people of faith, together, in their respective communities about 2,000 years ago. The churches in Corinth and Galatia clearly had some things going on. Unfortunately, we as readers, in the much distant future to when these letters were written, don’t really know what those issues were. And although biblical scholars have tried and tried again to figure out the issues, they are at best guesses. Lots of inferences are made but no one can say this is exactly why Paul wrote these letters to the communities. So, we hear that people of faith are in fact “people-y” – you know they try to get along, but everyone has an opinion. Some people think this way or another. Everyone has “feelings” about everything that’s happening. We can relate to that to...
I'm an ordained minister in the DOC and UCC. These are my stories and reflections as I attempt to live my calling as a minister. Some days, ministry is awe inspiring and great. Other days, I wonder what answering this call has gotten me into. I offer this not to say this is "the way." Journey with me, whether you agree or not, because we can learn from each other.