Welcome to ! I am so happy that YOU ended up on our website today! I hope that YOU find what you are looking for here and that we get to see you on a Sunday soon! Please know that you are NEVER required to know anything or do anything or be perfect or anything like that to attend this … Read More
From My Heart
I once heard a church leader say, “The Church is one of those human institutions that exists for others.” He was so right. We do not exist for ourselves, our own cozy community or club, our own set of family-like friends. We exist to glorify God… which is done by faithfulness… which includes inviting others into His kingdom way… which … Read More
From My Heart
Recently, at a wonderfully proactive and productive Staff-Parish Relations meeting, we discussed returning a “culture of prayer” to our weekly worship. Primarily, we’re re-establishing the longstanding open invitation to come forward to pray at the altar rail during the Pastoral Prayer time. This standing invitation promotes the freedom to do so when you would find it meaningful. Maybe you’re personally … Read More
Apportionments and the United Methodist Church
The national and global United Methodist Church is heavily sustained through its churches giving “a portion” of their receipts ”upstream” to denominational need. Our annual apportionments at 1stCH are just over $30,000. As big as that sounds, it represents less than 7% of our annual budget. Below are insights into the seven different United Methodist apportioned funds. Through our upstream … Read More
From My Heart
Cindi & I were recently blessed with the trip of a lifetime, a 35-day Voyage of the Vikings cruise because they desperately needed a last minute Guest Minister. Afterward, when I greeted the church at the opening of worship on our first Sunday back from across the waters, I gushed, “We feel like Traphene Hickman—our hearts and minds are overflowing … Read More
So, where are Jeff & Cindi today on their ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ cruise?
08/23, at sea heading down the New England coast: Oh, oh, ohhhh! Sitting here reflecting on this last month, our hearts are so full of endless vistas, beautiful scenery, refreshing temperatures, pleasant breezes, stately creatures, delicious foods, interesting people, wide-ranging cultures, etc… How can any poor soul experience much of this and think it all just came to be on … Read More
So, where are Jeff & Cindi today on their ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ cruise?
08/22, Halifax, Nova Scotia: Feeling like we’re back to “normal” civilization for the first time since Ireland. It’s extremely multicultural here, from hosting many and varied festivals for the eclectic population to hosting the world’s largest International Tattoo (military marching) competition. Most interesting local veggies are fiddleheads, tasty sprouts on a fern-like plant that grows wild. (Google them for curious … Read More
So, where are Jeff & Cindi today on their ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ cruise?
08/20, St John’s, Newfoundland (Canada): Two things—oldest English settlement in North America (early 1600s, but claimed by the crown in the 1580s) and one of the top ten oceanside destinations in the world according to National Geographic! Back in the days of Imperialism everybody wanted it—the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English. Though it’s locale is extremely strategic and it’s atmosphere … Read More
So, where are Jeff & Cindi today on their ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ cruise?
08/17, Prince Christian Sound, Greenland: After two magnificent days cruising around Iceland’s NW fjords w/their vertical cliffs, then an at-sea day, we’ve returned to the only place we’ll see twice. Glaciers, icebergs, and mountains, oh my! With the brisk air and the resplendent scenery, we could cruise through here every week for the rest of our lives and never tire … Read More
So, where are Jeff & Cindi today on their ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ cruise?
08/14, Akureyri, Iceland: After two at-sea days, we’re back to this beautiful Nordic country. It’s an ocean bay-side city surrounded by mountains that Vikings liked as a rest stop in the 800s. It’s got brightly painted buildings and all manner of freshly caught cold water fish. Not as rural as the Isle of Man, but every bit as relaxing… except … Read More