“Money, Get Back…I’m alright Jack, keep your hands off of my stack” (-R. Waters) “” Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” (Malachi 3:10) Each time Shelly and I come to a new church we must decide how much to tithe. It is not always an easy conversation, but it does take the same shape each time. We agree without discussion on ‘why’ we tithe; because we have been blessed repeatedly ..read more

Give thanks to the God of heaven, For God’s hesed (lovingkindness) endures forever (Psalm 136:26 Paraphrased) Shelly and I are so blessed to finally be here ‘physically’ at Genesis UMC. We are blessed as well to be in our new home in Forest Hills. Moving is one of the most stressful activities we undergo in our lives and certainly one of the most soul-searching. After six weeks, and only one night of me sleeping on the sofa, we claim, with God’s help, and your hospitality, that we are “settled in”. Praying before and during a move can be as complex as the moving itself. Do we ask God for stre ..read more

When there is a change of pastors in a church, one of questions many persons have is, “Will I like this pastor?”   There is a less known, but equally important, question.  It is “Will the pastor like me?” When I came to Genesis 22 months ago, I thought it was for a brief few weeks.  Soon, I felt loved and affirmed and I fell in love with this congregation.  That’s the reason I agreed to stay for almost two years. Today, as I prepare to end my pastoral time at Genesis June 30, I feel loved and affirmed.  Your send-off of me on June 17 was a high moment for me.  I am grateful that I was able to ..read more

One year ago in May, Snow United Methodist Church voted to discontinue as a congregation.  At the same time, Genesis United Methodist Church was in financial crisis, due to nearly $10,000 in monthly obligations related to its mortgage and expenses at its location in the Watermark Center near Cascade Road.  By July 23, due to the generous gift of Snow UMC members, Genesis was located at the former Snow location on the eastern edge of Cascade Township, and the two congregations were united at the new location. More than 300 persons look to our congregation as their church family, with more than ..read more

During this time of transition at Genesis, I can’t help but reflect on the nest full of baby birds that has recently been greeting me each time I enter the church. It has become, for me, somewhat of an icon, an image that has accompanied – and enriched – my own experience of God in these days and my experience of God at work in our church’s narrative. Above all, the image helps me find language to encourage, support, and express my deep gratitude for the community of Genesis United Methodist Church. When the birds first hatched in the nest they looked so frail and vulnerable. They needed food ..read more

Outside the entrance to Genesis, a mother robin laid several blue eggs.  This week they have hatched into tiny birds.  Soon they will fly away, free to live as God’s creatures within nature. None of us expect them to stay in their nest forever.  They are meant to fly. At the end of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus sends his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them.”  In Acts 1, after Jesus ascends to heaven, the disciples receive a message, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?”  In other words, “Get busy doing what Jesus commanded you to do.” T ..read more

I love The United Methodist Church for many reasons, especially since it has been my church all my life.  It is not without cracks in its structure and practice, but I continue to find it the best for me of all the alternatives. For most of us, “church” is just the congregation where we attend.  United Methodism is much more than that, spanning the world with congregations that reflect many cultures and historical backgrounds. Currently, there is controversy in Methodism about LGBTQ issues.  Despite the fact that United Methodists have historically been an “umbrella” church, encompassing man ..read more

For many years, I led youth confirmation classes, sharing mostly with middle high students.  Over all those years, the student I remember the most is the one who asked me the most challenging questions.  His inquisitive and persistent nature made those classes more meaningful because he was voicing the questions a young person had at that point in his life. I appreciate persons who speak up and ask questions.  Even if I don’t have the answer, it gives me a chance to find the answer for them.  The most challenging the question, the better I like it. I hope some of you will take the opportunit ..read more

What a glorious Easter Sunday!  Thanks to all of you who joined us. We hope those of you who were away found a dynamic Easter worship service where you were.  We had 135 persons at the 9:30 a.m. worship service (with some in chairs in the Gathering Space), and 29 at 11 a.m., not including the musicians who were at both worship services. The music, including our chime team, lifted us and gave us the hope and joy of the day.  May we be Easter people every day of the year! They say that Easter Sunday is a great time to realize the potential of your church.  Since we make a special effort to worsh ..read more

The most dramatic week of the church year is almost here. We hope all of you will worship on Easter Sunday.  However, for the most meaningful Easter a walk through Holy Week is important.  Please join us for as many of these worship services as possible: Palm/Passion Sunday is March 25.  At both 9:30 and 11 a.m. we will begin with the joy of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, waving palm branches and rejoicing.  However, the second part of the worship service turns to His passion and death on the cross.  The message will be “Learning from the Life of Jesus: Learn When Not to Fight.” Maundy Thurs ..read more