Posts with the category “good-news”

Carys ParkerPastoral InternThis summer, Carys Parker, West Side's Pastoral Intern, will be visiting with some of our members who are not able to be worshiping with us in-person. Be sure to check back often to see what is happening with our dear friends! At the end of June I had the privilege of sitting down with Freda Ricord alongside Pat Nealson to reflect on her past 70 years at West Side. Freda...  Read More

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Chris KochSenior Director of MinistryOn June 20, 2023 I was examined by the Presbytery and approved to seek ordination in the PCUSA. Next week Wednesday, June 28 at 7:30pm, there will be a service where I will be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Going through this process has reminded me of Gods work in the midst of our wanderings.   I first entered the ordination process in 2001, as ...  Read More

“Would you like to go to church with us on Easter?”I was surprised that one small question caused me so much anxiety. I had gotten to know Brad at a weekly ultimate frisbee game and thought he and his family might enjoy attending our Easter Sunday service, but I hesitated to ask him.  I wondered if I would offend him, if it would strain our relationship, if he would be turned off that I was a Chri...  Read More

I wonder how many people were in your family gathering for Thanksgiving this year? Ours had 18 – which is on the small side for my family growing up! My definition of a ‘family sized community’ can stretch all the way up to 30 people and I’m still feeling very much at home, known and loved. Others in my current family grew up with much smaller family gatherings – closer to 5 or 6. A group of more ...  Read More

I wonder if you saw an article in the Atlantic from this past July with the provocative headline: “The Future of the City is Childless.” Author Dereck Thompson cites both census data and anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that, while cities are economically booming, they are trading away their children in the process:   Read More

I wonder what you are up to on Wednesday evenings this September?Before we talk about Wednesdays, though, let me start with a heartfelt, “Thank You” for the gift of time away for rest and study this summer. In preparing sermon studies for the year ahead I spent time learning from pastors both here in the US and abroad who have shepherded their congregations into seasons of evangelistic growth – es...  Read More