Will Your Church Be Out of Sync This Advent?

by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey | Nov 6, 2020 | Opinion

Advent is a season when the church and the world seem particularly out of sync. Jangly music and gaudy Santas began their assault before Halloween. The Hallmark Channel is already well into its countdown to Christmas. Over at the hardware store, all of the porch...

Pandemic Grief | Keeping It Together When the World is Crumbling

by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey | May 27, 2020 | Opinion

Reaching to pick yet another leaf off the back of my shoulders, my husband finally asked, “Where did these leaves come from?” It was a reasonable question: The days of rain would have suggested I had neither cause nor opportunity to work in the yard. But I was covered...

Pandemic Grief | Mother’s Day When the World is Crumbling

by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey | May 7, 2020 | Opinion

A season that is often full of celebration is careening toward us during a time of physical isolation. Many churches are in the habit of marking these celebrations as a community – recognition of seniors, celebration of Sunday School teachers, youth volunteers and...

Pandemic Grief | Providing Help When the World is Crumbling

by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey | Apr 21, 2020 | Opinion

Being the church when the world is crumbling requires providing help taking care of bodies – and hearts. The Gospels demonstrate over and over again that Jesus was concerned with care of bodies. Jesus was concerned with healing to bodies. He healed bodies that could...

Pandemic Grief | Identifying Priorities When the World is Crumbling

by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey | Apr 17, 2020 | Opinion

Being the church when the world is crumbling requires identifying priorities. Have you ever thought about what you would grab and save if your house were on fire? Is there anything particularly precious that you have in a fireproof safe? What about triaging injuries...