Speaker: Rev. Jim Mckinley

Ride the Wave

Valerie Stewart has gently nudged me more than once to talk about my annual surf trips to Central America. So here, I accept the invitation and I would say both the challenge and opportunity to find the moments and reflections that make such trips a larger story, the gifts and lessons learned that could be … Continue reading Ride the Wave

Understanding Joy

Joy as both concept and reality is important to me; in a simple, deep, understated way. Parenthetically, happiness may touch on joy and overlap, but it’s not to be confused or conflated with how I understand joy. Joy is basic and foundational. It’s central to my theology and how I frame and practice hope. It’s … Continue reading Understanding Joy

Patterns of Wisdom

It feels like every day brings more “unprecedented” news. We are having trouble finding and keeping our footing. We live in a chronic fog of what George Carlin called “Vuja De”. Yet we have guides who can help us regain our orientation. The story of Mary and Martha from the New Testament and legends that … Continue reading Patterns of Wisdom

A Witness to Goodness

My friend, Dave, who is a year and a half out from surgery to remove a brain tumor said that in the midst of these difficult times, we can be, each in our own way, a witness to goodness. That’s a good, simple descriptor for how I’ve been trying to navigate the turmoil of the … Continue reading A Witness to Goodness

Return Again

I have re-turned because of, as Rabbi Carlebach says in song #1011 of the same title as today, because of who you are, what you are, and where you are in your journey. You change your world within you and the world around you through your presence and with your actions You make hope real. … Continue reading Return Again

The Gift(s) We Are

While searching for gifts to give, take a moment to look no further than yourself. Take a holiday from the constant outside messaging of what you don’t have and the internal critique of who you are not. Pause and unwrap the gifts you are as this person, this people, this congregation. Let’s free up some … Continue reading The Gift(s) We Are