Author: Rick McKinley

Lent is the time of year that followers of Jesus reflect on their faith journey during the 40 days (excluding Sundays) that lead to Easter. This year at CUMC we are using the material created by renowned Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann as our guide. The focus is on the poetic prophecy of the Hebrew Scriptures and we will seek to make connections between Israel’s story and the economic and spiritual status of our own situation in the 21st century U.S. We’ll consider the message of these poet-prophets in their own time and place. We’ll ask: what is their message for us today? What steps can we take to reclaim the prophetic message of distributive justice, nonviolence, loss and hope? And maybe most importantly, we’ll reflect on our role in bringing God’s perspective to today’s society. Join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or online through the church’s Facebook page. Series begins March 10th.

Methodists are descendants of one of the most strategic leaders in the history of the church, John Wesley. Like other spiritual leaders in history, Wesley was less interested in arguing a set of beliefs; he was more interested in helping others follow Jesus as a way of life. Like Benedict’s “rule of life,” or other “rules of life” from various monastic communities, Wesley’s 3 Simple Rules were meant to provide a framework for helping people grow in their faith and grow closer to God. For the next three weeks, starting Feb 17th, our pastors will lead us in exploring these three simple rules. Our hope is, whether you are just beginning the faith journey, or have been practicing the Christian faith for many years, these weeks will provide practical suggestions so that you can take the next steps you are being called to take. Join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.