Okay, I'll admit it. I'm still experiencing the "afterglow" of my 6-week sabbatical. Upon my return I was curious to see if anything felt different inside. It does. There's a deeper sense of peace, contentment, thankfulness and joy.

One of the vows that pastors take upon their ordination is, "Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?" (Book of Order: W-4.4003h) I can honestly say that my sense of commitment to that vow, and to this congregation, has been strengthened. My own sense of being called by God to ordained ministry continues to be confirmed.

One of my hopes during my sabbatical was to reflect upon the cutting edge of my own journey of faith that is heading in the direction of trying to answer the question, How do theologically progressive persons of faith connect with God and grow spiritually? In other words, as our understandings of the nature and character of God change and continue to develop, how does that affect our experience and practice of spirituality? 

I've decided to deal with that directly through my first-ever "Summer Sermon Series" entitled, Connecting With God. The topic for each sermon will be based on how we can connect with God in and through a reconnection with the earth, compassion, the Light, the journey, spiritual practice, nonviolence, the unconscious, and with love.

As a guide, I will be referencing the remarkable work of John Philip Newell, a scholar and practitioner of Celtic spirituality, from his 2014 book, "The Rebirthing of God: Christianity's Struggle for New Beginnings." I encourage you to purchase and read this important book.

To coincide with this emphasis on spirituality, I'm excited to be leading the Adult Church School Class (Sundays at 9:30 am) throughout the rest of the summer. We will explore the approach to spirituality within our own Reformed Tradition (Presbyterianism), and move into other approaches and understandings, like the contributions of Celtic spirituality. We will also reflect upon the spirituality that's reflected in my hymns we sing (and don't sing).

I pray that all of you will have a very fun and safe 4^th of July weekend. I especially pray for those of you who are traveling this month and next - hopefully to spend some 'down time' vacationing and visiting family and friends. 

Blessings,

Rev. Todd 

Building and Grounds would like to recruit a few volunteers to clean and paint the third floor youth meeting and game rooms by the elevator. We will start at 9:00 am and work until it is all painted. Light breakfast snacks will be provided. 

Sign up on Caroline's Clipboard after church in July to contribute money, time or food.

 

 The Tulsa Day Center is very thankful for all of their wonderful volunteers, both individuals and groups. During April, volunteers contributed more than 400 hours of service and this number doesn't include all of those that prepared and served meals to our clients!

Click the link below to view the current Day Center Needs List.

July Needs List

"Today's decision...will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy." - Judge Samuel Alito in his dissenting opinion.

It was to very few's surprise that the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to find a Constitutional right to same-sex marriage... What's next? I think the Court itself gave us the answer: Religious liberty. Emma Green at The Atlantic has a rundown (Click here) of the three most pressing religious liberty questions likely to come before the Court soon.

Recall that during oral arguments the government ominously indicated that the tax-exempt status of religious schools that refused to accommodate same-sex couples in campus policies and housing would be, in the Solicitor General's words, "an issue." As Green notes, this scenario would apply to a huge number of religious organizations. It very well may turn out that the decision legalizing same-sex marriage has fewer reverberations than the decisions that will follow.

Given that fact, I have seven questions for supporters of same-sex marriage, the folks celebrating a sweeping legal victory today.

 Read the entire blog..