Posts by Bob Rhodes (Page 18)
UMC Annual Conference Reflections
Pastoral student Adam M. reflects on the June 2017 Cal-Pac Annual Conference.
Freedom
This Sunday we begin a new series that parallels Paul’s letter to the church of Rome alongside Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale – a disturbingly dystopian vision of religion and power gone toxic.
Sojourn
Dear friends… July brings a particular beginning that is significant to many United Methodists, and the recent conclusion of the California-Pacific Annual Conference makes this even more definitive – particularly for those who participated in the Conference. As your Pastor here at Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, you may know that my “church membership” does not reside at PB UMC or any other local church. My membership resides at the Annual Conference, and it is through our Bishop’s leadership at…
Legacy
This Sunday of the series wraps up the story of Abraham and Sarah and turns to the story of Isaac. Are all the problems over? What is the legacy left behind?
Rites of Passage
This Sunday we near the end of our sermon series from Genesis and the Revised Common Lectionary called From Chaos to Community. If last Sunday’s scripture was difficult to reconcile, this week’s continuation of Abraham’s story is even more challenging. This week we wrestle with the difficult story that is generously – if somewhat misleadingly – known as “the binding of Isaac.” Often we approach this story looking primarily from Abraham’s perspective and affirming the depth of his faith in God. I…
Weaning
Separation can be intensely hard. When separation takes place, it can feel as though the world is ending. Where is God in these times?
Birth
Our text this week brings about many images of camping and hospitality and laughter and pregnancy.
Change
Dear friends… As we enter the month of June, we – once again – experience some of the natural rhythms of change. Tourists have begun to come into our communities; children have completed schoolwork and will transition into their next grade levels; and the “season after Pentecost” has begun. June is also the month that our regional United Methodist Churches will send representatives to the University of Redlands for our Annual Conference. New clergypersons will be Commissioned, some will be…
Creation
Beginning a new sermon series based on the stories of Genesis, we begin with our ancient stories of creation…
Fire & Water
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost! Often we focus on the image of flame on Pentecost Sunday, but this time we will also incorporate water…