Pondering with the Pastor

The painting shown above is one I created for a final project while in seminary. It follows the story of a poor widow in 2 Kings 4, who goes to her neighbors and asks for containers for oil so she can sell it to pay off her debt. We don’t know what each jar looks… Read More »

A Note from Pastor Emily “Fall marks an important change in the cycle of the year. This change means that summer has passed. One season ends by blending into another. Here is a change of pace accenting a rhythm in the passing of time…Nothing is lost, nothing disappears; all things belong, each in its way,… Read More »

“Best of all, God is with us” John Wesley Well, we are at the beginning of another school year. Everyone is back in their classrooms, adults have gone back to regular work, the temperatures are getting cooler (hopefully), and programs, sports, scouts, music, etc. are picking back up. A sense of normalcy (or a new… Read More »

“I am the Church, You are the Church, We are the Church together!” (UMH 558) Growing up, I remember we had numerous songs and nursery rhymes to describe what Church is and how we experience God in the world. My favorite one was, “Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors, and… Read More »

Dear Church, Grace and peace to you in the name of the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I write to you from the mountains of Western North Carolina in the town of Franklin. In the midst of packing and preparing, I find myself praying for what is to come. Allow me to… Read More »

Pondering with the Pastor Dear members and friends of FUMC, After 36 years of challenging and inspiring experiences in ministry, I am retiring! My last Sunday in worship with you will be June 22, 2025. Come celebrate with me! As I begin preparing for this transition, “I thank my God every time I remember you.… Read More »

Pondering from the Pastor Do you like to read? Have you checked out our church library? We have some awesome books ready and waiting for you to check out and read. We have nov- els, study books, devotion books, Sunday School class books, biographies, Bibles, books about the Bible, books about Methodism, church business books,… Read More »

Pondering With the Pastor Where will you be for Holy Week? Holy Week is the week before Easter. It begins with Palm Sunday, April 13, and ends on Easter Sunday, April 20. The disciples began “Holy Week” right by Jesus’ side, entering Jerusalem in a parade of palm-waving children. They continued to stay close to… Read More »

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:18,25) Truthfully,… Read More »

Pondering With the Pastor It’s been four months since Hurricane Helene hit and people and their towns still need help! Where is UMCOR? UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) is the organization within the UMC that responds to natural disasters. It’s the UM organization many of us have been giving to for years because… Read More »