Posts by Keith McDevitt
Pastor’s Column – May 2026
–John 20:26-27 It may be the season of Easter, but you may still be stuck in Holy Week. Jesus may have risen from the dead, but you may be holding the loss of someone you love, whose earthly presence will not rise again. Every day, we learn more about the devastation of war in Iran, the effects of unchecked greed, and the injustices that affect bodies and minds. In this post-resurrection story, we often cast Thomas as the doubter, an…
Pastor’s Note about Sabbatical
It is common practice in mainline Protestant congregations to offer covenanting clergy a sabbatical. In his book Planning Sabbaticals: A Guide for Congregations and Their Pastors, Robert Saler writes, “a sabbatical is an extended period of time in which the pastor is away from the congregation pursuing a variety of intentionally renewing activities.” For us, that time will be July 13th- October 12th. The question I have been asking myself is, “What will renew my spirit for ministry?” Each pastor…
Pastor’s Column – Apr 2026
List of “Prouds” Wild ChurchVBS Spending time with familyWelcome and AffirmingGenerosity for missions local and worldFacility Open for Community UseOpen and Affirming (justice, community involvement)Relevant/Current Sermons by PastorChildren’s Area and inclusion of the age continuumGiving CommunityAll inclusiveMessage through Sermon, music, Bible/Book StudiesEmphasizes COMPASSIONCommunity FocusOpen and Friendly People! The list above was compiled by those who worshiped and gathered for the church potluck in February. We broke into several groups to lift up the parts of our shared ministry we are…
Pastor’s Column – Feb 2026
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will. I’m told that once, when I was a child, our family was leaving Jacob’s Field after a Cleveland baseball game. As we made our way to our car, a man holding a cup asked us for money. I tugged on a parent’s…
Pastor’s Column – Dec 2025
Until We Reach the SunBy: Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed Buffaloes are the only animals that run into a storm.They can smell the snow coming. They can feel the temperature change—Deep in their bones. So they gather together, a pack on the plains.And with their large lumbering bodies, they run.They run through snow and ice, wind and rain. They do not stopUntil they reach the sun. When you are afraid, because this world is cruel and harsh,Or because humans are deported…
Pastor’s Column – Sep 2025
– Bobby Jo Valentine In August, we hosted singer-songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine in our sanctuary. Sitting in the pews, listening to music and stories, it was worship. Between every song, Bobby would go deeper with either the lyrics of his songs or with lessons he had gleaned from difficult moments in his life. He shared about the time he lost everything to wildfires in California. He shared his ongoing struggles with mental illness, and those who reached out to check…
Pastor’s Column – Aug 2025
Our family attended Dunkirk Family Camp this summer, which perches on a picturesque cliff overlooking Lake Erie in Dunkirk, New York. Among many activities we could choose from was an opportunity to go seining. Seining was a completely new word for me. A fellow camper and naturalist by occupation had two people stretch a net the entire width of a stream. Then the rest of our group got in the water, kicking up mud and decaying leaves, disturbing and directing…
Pastor’s Column – May 2025
Every week I meet with a small group of seminarian friends over Zoom. Together we survived our studies, and together we continue to support one another in life and ministry. I wanted to share with you about our meeting at the beginning of Holy Week, specifically our response to the question we end every meeting with, “How can we be praying for you in the week ahead?” For the first time ever, we all had the same prayer. It could…
Pastor’s Column – June 2021
“Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well.” Matthew 9:20-22 I have always loved this scripture passage. Here is this woman, suffering with a horriblemedical…
Pastor’s Column – Jan 2021
Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It ledthem on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! Matthew 2:9-10 (The Message) I wonder, what was it like for the Magi following that star in the eastern skies? Were there days when they questioned if it was the right direction? Were their eyes so fixed on the destination that they…
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