Pumpkin in the Side Yard

By Ashley Bills  •  September 11, 2025

We didn’t plan to grow a pumpkin this year. In fact, we did the opposite.

Recent Blog Posts

Turkeys and Footballs

By Rev. Dr. Kenneth Daniel  •  November 25, 2021

I never played football, but I did play the clarinet. Throughout high school, our Thanksgiving mornings included the “Big Game” with our cross-county rivals, the..

Part 3: Successful Retirement Ministry Opportunities

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  November 18, 2021

This is the last of the three-part series about retirement.

Part 2: Expectations and Opportunities

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  November 17, 2021

This is the second of three blogs looking at opportunities for congregations to accompany those who are planning for and in the midst of retirement. The research..

Part 1: Retirement and Congregational Care

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  November 15, 2021

This is the first of three blogs looking at opportunities for congregations to accompany those who are planning for and in the midst of retirement. Much of the research..

Opening Minds (and Connecting Spirits) through Art

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  November 11, 2021

Opening Minds through Art is an evidenced, research-based program. It trains and pairs volunteers with residents living with dementia in order to empower the resident to..

Season of Change

By Rev. Kristen Orion  •  November 04, 2021

Each morning my day begins with dogs and trees. Seven dogs, to precise, and a forest full of trees.

Paradox of Change

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  October 28, 2021

I opened the door to the room which should have been completely dark due to the late hour. Instead, I was struck by bright light coming through the window. I peered..

See Change

By Rev. John Gantt  •  October 21, 2021

The term “sea change” is a metaphor. It describes dramatic, even cataclysmic, transformations of policies, practices, or perspective. We saw two sea changes on a Dolphin..

Season of Change

By Rev. Catherine Lawrence  •  October 14, 2021

Gratitude The last week of September was the warm, sunny crown on a wonderful joy-filled summer. This season was the first time that I was not employed since my teen..