Pastor Brian's Blog

“Am I still welcome at Trinity?” asked one of our young people in light of the recent General Conference in St. Louis [see the United Methodist News story ]. My heart is breaking that anyone would need to ask, but especially a child.   Yes, you are welcome!   God loves you for who you are.   You are God’s beloved child.   With that basic belief, Trinity Church seeks to be a welcoming community of compassion and faith.   In May 2016, the congregation became a “reconciling” church and adopted the following statement: “Our welcome and compassion extend to all who seek God, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, economic status, education, family structure, religious background, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. ” Nothing in the Traditionalist Plan passed by the General Conference delegates on Feb. 28 would change Trinity’s statement.   But the Plan seeks other changes.   ...

I recently read through a book of short stories by Joy Williams called Ninety-Nine Stories of God . In one story, a traveler meets three men who are pushing wheelbarrows. He asks them what they are doing. Each gives him a different answer. The first said: “I toil from sunrise to sunset, and all I receive for my labor is a few francs a day.” The second said: “I’m happy enough to wheel this wheelbarrow, for I have not had work for many months, and I have a family to feed.” The third said: “I’m building Chartres Cathedral.” 1 The first one seems to be complaining that he doesn’t get enough pay for his hard work.  The second one expresses gratitude for the opportunity to support his family.  The third one is dedicated to doing something extraordinary for God. Life can sometimes feel like pushing a wheelbarrow around, especially in the church.  Most of the time, it seems like a thankless chore, and we don’t feel rewarded for our effort.  Sometimes, we grasp ...