These make great gifts for your church family or Sunday School class! If you can make a granny square, you can make this cute bookmark!
Category: Pastoral Life
My Top 12 Favorite Books of 2022
I love to read. This year I read 90 books from a variety of genres, including memoir, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and theology. Lots of them were great, but these were some of my favorites that I highly recommend. What was the best book you read this year
Connecting to God Through Christ’s Mother: Our Lady Saint Mary by Rev. J.G.H. Barry, D.D
Even if you do not agree with all the assertions that Rev. Barry makes in this piece, I hope that it will give you some interesting food for thought in your own ministry setting this Advent. The section on the sacramental theology of baptism as viewed through a Marian lens is particularly interesting.
A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC with Suggestions for Accessibility
A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church with Suggestions for Accessibility The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference (NEJ) of the United Methodist Church was held on November 2-4, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. The theme was “One in Ministry to All the World." Approximately 150 delegates, including both laity and… Continue reading A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC with Suggestions for Accessibility
Three Lessons I Learned as a Visually Impaired Piano Student
Subtitle: Piano lessons taught me about self-reliance, perseverance, and life! Note: This piece was written in response to the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind’s Prompt, “Self-Reliance.” Image shows the author seated on a piano bench Introduction: I remember the first time I ever saw a concert pianist. His name was Andre Watts and he was… Continue reading Three Lessons I Learned as a Visually Impaired Piano Student
Prayers for Summer: Processing Pet Grief, Welcome Wesley the Dog, and Saying Goodbye
fter an unexpected hiatus from writing, I'm back and pleased to share some prayers I have written. Please feel free to use these prayers in your personal devotions or in a worship setting.
A Train Lover’s Prayer: Written After the Passing of a Family Friend and a Visit to the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
fter the memorial service and luncheon, Jeff, helped to lead a free tour through the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum in our dearly departed friend's honor. I am also a train lover and after the tour was over I was inspired to write the following prayer. Please feel free to use this prayer in your own personal devotions or in a worship setting.
A Prayer for Pets and Service Animals
grateful for every day I have with them. My love them for them inspired me to write the following prayer. Please feel free to use this prayer in your own personal devotions or to adapt it to a worship setting. I think it might work well on the Feast Day of St. Francis or perhaps for a service of the blessing of the animals.
Tyrone Trolley Bridge Rediscovered (Guest Post by Jeffery D. Holland)
I had never put the two images side by side. Doing so I found them to be one and the same. The greatest part was the second photo showed a view in the opposite direction showing the houses in Nealmont, houses that are still there and were a perfect match! This was the final confirmation. I had finally located the bridge from the postcard.
Altoona District UMC Churches Purchase Lifechanging Device for Visually Impaired Teenager in Africa
Claudine is sixteen years old and visually impaired. After losing her parents, she found a home with Mama Arlene Brown and Hope Made Real. She dreams of becoming a doctor. In this photo, Rev. Rebecca and her husband, Jeff, stand with mama Arlene Brown. Mama Arlene Brown is originally from Pennsylvania. She started an orphanage… Continue reading Altoona District UMC Churches Purchase Lifechanging Device for Visually Impaired Teenager in Africa
Rev. Rebecca Writes 