Take a moment or two for joy

Bishop David Bard, in this month’s Joyful Journey, encourages us to carve out time for joy-filled moments, so that we may have the capacity to care for the world’s pain… Continue Reading Take a moment or two for joy

Cultivate a courageous heart

How are we to respond when witnessing the painful ways humans treat each other? Naomi García looks within to unlearn passive behavior and to cultivate a courageous heart and grace-filled… Continue Reading Cultivate a courageous heart

Trust the wind, trust what’s next

Rev. Jodie Flessner takes lessons learned while sailing and finds parallels to our life of faith. Can we let go and trust the winds of the Holy Spirit to raise… Continue Reading Trust the wind, trust what’s next

Thank you, Conference

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Browne writes a heartfelt thank-you note to The Michigan Conference for the spirit of maturity, forbearance, and kindness she witnessed during Annual Conference this year.

Looking for the one true Church

In his Cabinet Report to the 2022 Michigan Annual Conference, the Rev. Dr. Jerome DeVine asserts that scripture and history demonstrate, “No one expression of the Church is the ‘one… Continue Reading Looking for the one true Church

A coach offers words of encouragement

Three phrases from a high school track coach have stuck with Paul Perez over the years. Here’s how they apply to the Michigan Annual Conference.

‘Our brother and our friend’

On April 4, Patrick Lyoya was killed by a Grand Rapids Police officer. His pastor, Banza Mukalay of Restoration Community UMC in Wyoming, MI, remembers a brother and a friend.

Moving forward together

In this month’s Joyful Journey, Bishop David Bard moves our focus forward on matters engaging the “heart and soul problems” in the nation and the church.

Long division is hard

The Rev. LuAnn Rourke, Superintendent of the Heriage District, talks about how she enjoyed math. She turns to the words of the Apostle Paul as she ponders tackling long division.

One thing they have in common

What do mass shooters have in common? The Rev. Jack Harnish notes that most are white males targeting racial minorities. He adds, “In the long run, I have to believe… Continue Reading One thing they have in common