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!
Our picnic lunch was a wonderful success and was so well attended! As usual, we were blessed with more delicious food than we could possibly eat, but even more importantly, with a truly special time of fellowship together.
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.
Sometimes when we hear the word “planning,” we immediately think about meetings, papers, difficult decisions, or long conversations. And yes, planning can certainly include all of those things. But planning can also be something beautiful, hopeful, and creative… It can even be fun!
I had the joy of getting together with some of friends at a church in Groveville yesterday morning. They had collected clothes, blankets, socks and spent the morning assembling hygiene and blessing bags for us to distribute on the streets.
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...
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.
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.
We have very good news... Our churches, Groveville UMC and Crosswicks UMC, are hosting an Interfaith Iftar Dinner, the meal that breaks the daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan for our Muslim neighbors.
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.
