Often, I hear people say that religion is all about rules. Do this. Don’t do that. People often push back against the religious life because they are resistant to rules, and to being told what to do. But religion is so much more than rules. The word religion comes from the Latin...
"God of peace, open the eyes of those who want to dominate others through violence, oppression, hatred, and ignorance. Help the leaders of all nations see that peace will make a better world for today's youth and tomorrow's children." from "Call On Me: A Prayer Book for Young...
Do you think of your smartphone when you think of prayer practices? It’s easy to see that our society is addicted to our phones. We can barely go ten minutes without checking to see if we’ve gotten a text. And standing in line at the grocery store now means scrolling through our...
Jesus said: “I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one...
Looking for a gift for Christmas? Searching for ways to bring faith into your daily life? Check out these great books – they’ll become staples in your home. The Invisible String, Patrice KarstWe are all connected, and no one is ever alone. That’s the message of this beautiful...
The morning after the sugar-crazed children of our neighborhoods run through the streets in costume, we wake up to a new month driven by holiday prepping: Thanksgiving is almost here! That means it’s almost Christmas! Then New Year’s Eve! It’s practically 2018...
The Rev. Mary Lynn Coulson's sermon from Sunday, August 20. Do you ever hit snooze on your alarm in the morning? I do. Every. Single. Morning. At least five, or ten, times. The bed is just so soft and warm! When I lived in Minnesota, in the winters there was that much more incentive to...
After a Vacation Bible School hiatus last summer, VBS returned to St. Bart's the last week of July and it was AMAZING! Our Deep Sea Discovery took more than 70 kids on an underwater journey to discover all the ways that God is with us where ever we go. The Jellyfish, Starfish, Dolphin, and...
Come and See Do you ever wonder, how does faith affect my life on Monday morning? Not sure how to talk about the Bible with your preschooler, or your teenager? Do you yearn to grow in faith as a family – not just at church, but at home? Are you a grandparent, yearning to pass on your...
The Rev. Mary Lynn Coulson's sermon from May 14, 2017, fifth week of Easter. Today we meet Thomas again, poor Thomas who has won for himself the most unfortunate name: doubting Thomas. I like to call him Truthful Thomas. Thomas, this disciple who isn’t afraid to ask questions – he...