Author Archives: Madras UMC

Beloved: It has been a number of years since I have planted a garden. Last fall, Mike made me some fabulous planter boxes, so I won’t have to kneel down to weed and tend. So, I couldn’t wait to get started this spring. They are just the right height! Unfortunately, I discovered rather quickly, thatContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 5/31/18”

Beloved: Two of my favorite seminary professors were married to each other. She was a theologian, and he was the Pastoral Care and Theology professor.  Shortly after I graduated, they ended up working at different institutions, cross-country from each other. When I returned to campus the next year to attend a seminar, I asked theContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 5/24/18”

Beloved: I’m a bit slow with the Preacher Woman this week. We had a chance to head to the beach with our son and his husband for a couple of days. It was great to have time to spend together and watch all four dogs—their two chocolate labs, and our two little guys, romp onContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 5/18/18”

Beloved: Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. According to National Retail Federation, sales related to this holiday will reach over 23 billion dollars this year. It is the third highest spending holiday in our nation. It is a big deal. For some of our churches, attendance will be one of the highest Sundays of the year. I’veContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 5/12/18”

Beloved: What a gorgeous week! The sun has been out, and the flowers are blooming all over town. The mountains, oh my, the mountains! We used to have a gym teacher that said we had to have a jacket or sweater on at recess until the snow was off Mt. Hood. Not yesterday!! Another springContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 4/26/18”

Jason Lewis is a guest writer on our website.  He is the primary caregiver for his mom and a personal trainer specializing in senior fitness.  In recent years, he noticed what an impact church has had on his Mom, and not just spiritually. Going to church and participating in church activities has helped her stay bothContinue reading “How Attending Church Can Help the Senior In Your Life”

Beloved: This week, I have been in Colorado Springs with a cohort of clergy colleagues as part of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rocky Mountains. I began this journey 10 years ago with Track I, and yesterday completed Track III. The core of the retreats (6 retreats for each track) is to becomeContinue reading “Weekly Note from the Preacher Woman, 4/20/18”