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“We are not hungry for what we're not getting, but for what we're not giving.” – Ann Lamott

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say ‘It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” – Fred Rogers A Visitorby Hyunjong Jung When someone comes to us,it is, in truth,an astonishing thing.For they comewith their past,their present,and their future.A whole lifetime comes.And a heart comes—a heart fragile enough to break,and therefore perhaps already broken.A heart whose hidden foldsperhaps the wind alonecould gently trace.If my own heartcould imitate such a wind,surely,that would be hospitality.

“I look upon all the world as my parish.” – John Wesley Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is doubt, faith;Where there is despair, hope;Where there is darkness, light;Where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master,Grant that I may not so much seekTo be consoled, as to console;To be understood, as to understand;To be loved, as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.Amen

“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” – Vision Statement of The UMC

"There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story." – Benedictine Sister Mary Lou Kownacki

“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ, who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. This vision statement complements the Church’s longstanding mission statement, inspired by Matthew 28:1-20: “The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” – The United Methodist Church’s new vision statementLearn More

“Today is the dayGod cries with the masses of starving people,despises growing disparity between rich and poor,demands justice for workers in the marketplace.And so shall we.” – from The Social Creed of The UMC

Maybe home is not a place. Maybe it’s the version of yourself that finally feels safe, calm, and free. – Cia in “A Life In Between Zones” “Gather us in, and hold us forever; gather us in, and make us your own; gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.” – from the hymn “Gather Us In”

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is Jesus’ parables of the Treasure Hidden in a Field and the Pearl of Great Value. In his sermon, “It’s Like Being Found While Finding,” Pastor Earl explores Jesus’ way of describing the kingdom of heaven and how he invites us to approach these two brief parables from an imaginative and unconventional perspective.

“Some kids are smarter than you, some kids have cooler clothes than you, some kids are better at sports than you. It doesn’t matter. You have your own thing too. Be the kid who can get along. Be the kid who is generous. Be the kid who is happy for other people. Be the kid who does the right thing. Be the nice kid.” – Bryan Skavnak

“As we celebrate 70 years of women’s ordination, we give thanks for the faithful witness of those who have gone before and for the many women whose ministries continue to enrich and transform The United Methodist Church today. With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, may we continue to affirm the full participation of all God’s children in the life and mission of the Church, trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead us into ever greater faithfulness and inclusivity in the years ahead.” – Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of Archives and History for The UMC

“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables.’” – Mark 4:10-11

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the scripture lesson, Biblical character Hannah is honest with God about her broken-heartedness in wanting to have a child. We have resources for those who have experienced, or are experiencing, infertility, miscarriage and child loss available on our website at: uumc.org/longest-night-resources. On this page you will also find resources for other kinds of loss.As a Reproductive Freedom Congregation, we have gathered helpful resources and education materials and you can learn more here: uumc.org/reproductive-justice

“In this time of great reflection on two hundred fifty years,We remember, as a nation, times we’ve prospered, times of tears.“We shall be,” a preacher told us, “as a city on a hill”—not to praise us but to warn us: We’ve a duty to fulfill.” – “In this Time of Great Reflection” by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette “While the Fourth of July is not a liturgical “holy day”, it is a chance to remind one another of America’s aspiration to be a “a more perfect union.” One that still has miles to go when it comes to equality, justice, peace, and general welfare. The Gospel calls us to feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison. The church knows how to help our country become who we say we want to be.” – Rev. Dr. Lori Walke, J.D. for Illustrated Ministries