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a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

... Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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By: Rev'd Renee Dillard

Advent

Season of waiting ....

Season of preparation ...

Season of expectation ...

Season of hope, love, joy, peace ...

Season of light.

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By: Rebecca Thomas

Well, it was bound to happen.  With all apologies to Sofia Cavaletti (founder of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) and the many wonderful folks who have led me in this work, I went rogue yesterday in Atrium 3.  I felt a nudge, an urge, a compelling need to do something, so I did. 

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By: Alvin Swiney

Early one Memphis morning in the spring of 1960, a northbound 31 Crosstown bus stopped at the intersection of Peabody and Bellevue. A young mother and her four year old son stepped off the bus and quickly walk across the street to make a transfer. Waiting on the corner was a sea of old black ladies dress in white uniforms heading to their domestic worker jobs in the wealthy suburbs of east Memphis. The curious boy turned to his mother and asked, "What is that large beautiful building?". 

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By: Rev'd Dr. Jeffords

A word from the outset--

I'm an advocate for The United Methodist Church to change its current position on human sexuality. If you are as well, I invite you to join me and sign on with our sister church in the Tennessee Conference, Belmont, who has been working to formulate petitions to the 2016 General Conference to amend all prohibitive and discriminatory language around LGBTQ matters.  If you are of that mind and heart, you may do that here:  If by some miracle I'm on the floor of General Conference and eligible to vote when it comes up, I will be casting my vote that way.

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By: Rev'd Renee Dillard

Our youth group hit the road this summer bound for Youth 2015. Our small group of six trekked from Memphis, TN to Orlando, FL where we joined almost 5,000 United Methodists (mostly youth) from across the connection. So many young United Methodists in one place! The preaching was prophetic, the service opportunities were world-changing and the sense of community was strong.

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By: Rev'd Dr. Jeffords

Every January for the past 5 years or so, I've made a pilgrimage, together with my brother, Sky, to Manasota Key, Florida.  My old friend, Ed lives there. 

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By: Rev'd Renee Dillard

St. John's is a welcoming church.

We have a statement that claims it and actions that demonstrate it.

St. John's welcomes everyone.

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By: Rev'd Dr. Jeffords

Well now, it’s been quite a week, hasn’t it?

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By: Rev'd Dr. Jeffords

Almost a year ago I spoke into a vision of moving from our altar to a table and the central focal point of our worship space.  I shared the architectural evolution of the sanctuary across the years.  The point I was seeking to make then was that however “fixed” we think a worship space is, or should be, there is always an ever evolving character to a gathering space that is in direct response to how we’ve come to understand the nature of the One we’re worshipping.

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