Blog
The Conference Blog had its beginnings prior to 2013, but an ongoing, almost weekly version began here: Western North Carolina Conference Blog 2.0. The blog continues in a new place as a part of the conference website.
Opinions expressed in these articles are completely the views of the author and are not an official statement from the conference.
What Lies
by Melissa McGill On a cold January day, I walked into Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church ready to take on racism with a diverse group of 90 others from our church, including many ...
We serve the one who can roll the stone away
by Evelyn Lemons As we made our way through the season of Lent, there was a sense of anticipation that somehow on the other side of Lent, the burden would be lifted. We are relieved that the Lenten...
Why Are You Crying?
By Paul Brown I’ve always believed that God has a sense of humor. Earlier this year, I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw that Valentine's Day fell on Ash Wednesday. Nothing like taking your date to...
Holy Week Questions
By Duke Ison It is Holy Week! If Christmas Eve gets us in touch with the mystery of God, Holy Week gets us in touch with something entirely different. Holy Week can shine a light on our present ...
I’ve Been “Benched”
by Carroll Harris “’tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, ‘tis a gift to come down where I ought to be. And when I am in the place just right, I will be in the valley of love and delight. ...
A Love Story
By Mary W. Brown I want to tell you a love story. I can’t remember the exact moment it started. I heard this book read out loud during worship before I could even understand what its words meant. ...
Personal Examination
By Burt Williams Some Questions I ask myself every so often as a pastor: Who am I trying to please -- my congregation or God? Who am I reading? Who am I allowing to influence me? Who am I quoting, ...
Speaking Life and Love
by Sarah S. Howell-Miller If you ever want to leave a pastor speechless, invite him or her to speak at a Planned Parenthood event. I got such an invitation at the beginning of the year from a ...
Held up at the Gate
By Telia Hand-Broadnax As I drove through the gates of the parking deck on my way to yet another doctor's appointment the car in front of me came to a complete stop. No warning, no heads up; just a...
Love, Justice, and Ashes
By Amy Vaughan This year, a cosmic happenstance -- Ash Wednesday on Valentine’s Day, and Easter on April Fool’s Day! May these three short poems about love, justice, and ashes carry you through ...