After the vacations, the summer, the weather, and after a year that has brought us many good things and also some not so good ones, the time has come for Groveville and Crosswicks to come together again!
But what about offenses that are not unforgivable? | So far we have spoken about forgiveness as the only path when we face wounds that truly change us, those experiences that leave lasting scars on the heart. But this raises an important question: if only the unforgivable requires forgiveness, what should we do with offenses that are not "unforgivable"?
The Power of Forgiveness | One of the most difficult things for human beings is both to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. Countless pages have been written on the subject in books, editorials, academic works, letters, blogs, social media posts, and articles. Illustrations such as the now familiar saying, “Not forgiving is like drinking poison and expecting it to harm the other person,” have become widely popular, yet the practice of forgiveness remains elusive for many because they simply do not know how to forgive.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all donors who contributed to our project. Today, we successfully assembled and prepared hundreds of personal care, breakfast, and snack blessing bags.
... Some began to see the one they had called the “King of the Jews” as a disappointment. How could he ask them to forgive Rome? How could he speak of loving enemies when the people were suffering under oppression? A disappointed crowd can easily become a dangerous crowd, especially when religious leaders know how to manipulate emotions...
The crucifixion of Jesus has been studied from many perspectives. Some have spoken about it as a plan established beforehand to deal with the problem of sin. Others have described it as a way to satisfy the wrath of God, as if divine anger could only be appeased by the blood of God's own Son. Between these views there are countless nuances, interpretations, and disagreements.
Last Friday, March 7th, 2026, we shared a beautiful and meaningful evening of fellowship, learning, and hospitality as we welcomed our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith for our Interfaith Iftar Dinner.
Please, let me share with you that over the past few days I found myself looking at several posts on social media that slowly filled my heart with gratitude, hope, and even a bit of joy. They were photos of friends of mine. Clergy colleagues and lay leaders from different annual conferences, including the Greater New Jersey, who traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Public Witness for Immigrant Justice organized by the United Methodist Church.
Today I would like to invite you to remember that Lent is a season that calls us to pause and look again at our faith and at the world around us, because we believe that following Jesus is about prayer, and reflection, but also about love in action. Throughout the Gospels we see how Jesus constantly paid attention to those whom society often overlooked: the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the forgotten.
It’s hard to believe, but Lent is already around the corner! It feels like we just packed away the Christmas decorations and now the Church is gently inviting us to slow down again and prepare our hearts for Easter.
A shepherd never leaves the sheep behind | Caring for the flock is not optional; it is their livelihood, their duty, and their identity. And yet, Luke does not tell us what happened to the sheep when the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem. Did they leave them behind? If they did, were they neglecting their responsibilities? Or did they bring them along, carrying the weight of their work on their backs as they walked toward the manger?
New mercies, not just on Christmas, or New Year’s, but each and every morning.
“Happy New Year.“, I whispered to my husband as I quietly crept out of bed at 7:30. Going to the window and opening the curtains, I was looking forward to peeking outside and greeting this special day.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful names of Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. I never cease to marvel as I draw near to the astonishing reality of a God who did not ask us to “become divine,” knowing our inability to do so, but instead chose to become human.
