When was the last time you had an experience of awe? Were you looking up at the night sky, gazing at the face of a newborn baby, or listening to your favorite piece of music? Did your heart expand, did your breath quicken or stop, and did the skin on your arms raise with goosebumps? […]Read more
There is so much to pay attention to: the news, the election, the latest trends, the daily to-do list, and much more. So, as we head into a new month built around the theme of ATTENTION, I got to thinking about what we can let go of. What can we stop paying attention to? What […]Read more
Phew! What a wild and wonderful month it was at Peoples Church. Our Sesquicentennial Celebration was a huge success! Old friends, former members, former ministers, current neighbors, community supporters, and so many more joined us for a fabulous weekend of events. It was a real Homecoming celebration! Not only Read more
In 1869, when a small group of people met in Brown’s Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids to form what eventually became Peoples Church, what were they expecting? What did they think they were creating and how long did they expect it to last? Did they know they were founding a church that would last 150 […]Read more
After time away for parental leave and study leave, I am thrilled to be back! As you can imagine, these last few months have been full and life changing. I want to thank you for the generous parental leave you allowed me to take in late May and June in order to be present for […]Read more
Spring is here and I could not be more delighted! The yellow and red tulips opening in my garden are a warm, welcome sight. Last fall, when I planted the tulip bulbs, I was thinking to myself: By the time these tulips bloom it will be just about the time for Casey and me to […]Read more
What are we doing the weekend of September 14-15, 2019, you ask? Why, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Peoples Church of course! Our sesquicentennial celebration is shaping up to be a meaningful, jam-packed, and fun-filled weekend. We have an open house, guest speakers, a community-wide celebration dinner out Read more
“In God We Trust.” The official motto of the United States of America since 1957, this phrase is printed on our currency and has been consistently debated in conversations on the separation of church and state ever since. But all debate aside, what does this statement mean? What does it mean for an entire country Read more
On most days I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of where babies come from. I know the science: the anatomy and the biology. I also know how other animals, insects, plants, and flowers reproduce. But if I sit and think about it long enough, I eventually reach the edge of all I […]Read more
The month of November begins every year with an opportunity to remember our ancestors and this year is no different. Around the world people are heading into the coldest, darkest part of the year celebrating and honoring Samhain, Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Day of the Dead. In addition to these Read more