Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  Our worship theme for this season is Repent. Repair. Repentance is a perennial feature of Lent.  Like any word that’s been tossed around for centuries, it’s helpful to return to its root meaning to remember what we’re talking about. The Old…

Two weeks ago we had the annual gathering of the CMC Leadership Team and Ministry Council (board + commission chairs + pastoral and administrative staff).  It’s a time to step back from monthly duties, pose big picture questions, and think creative thoughts.  The purpose of this year’s meeting was to…

I was not logged in for CMC worship on January 3.  My intention to participate diminished at full tilt while my body was in full tilt before crashing in a full chin-plant on asphalt and ending a lovely, until that moment, morning run.  That sound blast in my head was…

Let me say up front that I don’t think we should beat ourselves up for Lent any year, but this year feels especially important to make sure we enter this season with a clear sense of purpose.  I’ve been in charge of organizing the Ash Wednesday services for a couple…