Dear friends, Rain…snow…ocean waves…flowing brooks…still waters…a refreshing drink…. Water is at the center of our lives. We are made up of water. We depend on water. It is no surprise that many of the stories of our faith are about water. This year, our Lenten theme draws upon the centrality of water to our lives […]
Staff
Praying for the people of Ukraine
Dear friends, Last night and today, I have watched news of the invasion of Ukraine with horror and terror. I am horrified for the people of Ukraine. I cannot imagine what it would be like to wake up to the sound of bombs. I cannot imagine what it would take to stand firm […]
Group Singing Returns in February
Group Singing Returns in FebruaryWe’re excited to try multiple weeks of live music in the sanctuary this month! It feels like a long time since the amazing Christmas Sunday celebration with On the Fence leading worship alongside Cheryl at the organ, and with our choir singing “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Even Christmas Eve, with Amy […]
For Love’s Sake
“…for there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb” Dear friends, February is always an odd mix or snow and sunshine, frosty mornings and slowly lengthening days. So, we mix it up with looking to a groundhog to […]
Happy Anniversaries!
Dear friends, 2022 is a year of anniversaries! Five years ago, on January 1, 2017, Edwards and Grace Churches officially became one congregation. Five years later, we have so much to celebrate. We are stronger together. We bring the riches and gifts of two communities—musical talents, passion for justice, deep friendships, love for God’s creation, […]
Edwards Church Music: When You’re Ready to Return
From our return to the sanctuary on November 14, through Christmas Sunday we planned a gradual increase in the amount of music per service in an effort to control the number of people in close proximity singing and rehearsing together. God willing, our plan went, we would be able to reach Christmas Sunday singing joyfully, […]
The Work of Love
But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12.31 Dear friends, The season of gift-giving has not come to an end, although we may have taken down the Christmas tree and all the decorations of the Christmas holiday season. The work of love—its gift-giving to […]
Loving, Connected
Dear friends, Loving. Connected. Inclusive. Safe. These are the values we articulated as we began to plan our return to in-person worship. These values have shaped the layers of protection we have put into place. They have shaped our commitment to offering Zoom options for our services. Staff members, especially Rick and Nicola, have been […]
Edwards Church Music: When You’re Ready to Return
Greetings, from within the sanctuary, and doesn’t it feel nice again! In the past few weeks I have informed choir members in a few forums (Zoom meeting in early November with follow-up notes, and a lengthy email last week) with a number of my thoughts about moving us toward a renewed musical life in the […]
What Are We Waiting For?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias?Wouldn’t it be perfect if we were greeted on these December morningswith a hovering of heavenly hosts tuning their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las? Wouldn’t it be incredible if their music filled our waking hours with the promise of peace on earth […]