Month: November 2025

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Forgiveness isn’t Weakness

I’m sharing this quote from N. T Wright today because I need to be reminded of it myself. 

“Those who learn to forgive discover that they are not only offering healing to others. They are receiving it in themselves. Resurrection is happening inside them. The wrong done to them is not permitted to twist their lives out of shape. Forgiveness isn’t weakness. It was and is a great strength.” 

We must not let our lives be twisted out of shape by the wrong done to us. I sometimes hate to concede this, but forgiveness truly is the only way forward. The ability to forgive is a great strength, and although it is hard work, through the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do it.

[1] N. T. Wright, The Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus’s Crucifixion (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2016), 386.

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Our Tragedy and Our Glory

This Sunday, I’ll be preaching on Luke 23:33-43, focusing on “the penitent thief.” While preparing my sermon, I came across the following quote and wanted to share it with you.

“His tragedy is that his introduction to paradise came so late.…And his glory is that he found him in time.…His tragedy and his glory are not unlike yours and mine. And Good Friday is the opportunity to redeem tragedy into glory. For what is our tragedy but our failure to grasp what Christ can do for our lives here and now? And what is our glory but to discover with him how to live in heaven even while we live on earth?” — Howard G. Hageman [1]

[1] Howard G. Hageman, quoted in Justo L. González, Luke (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010), 264.

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Correcting the Record

The Manhattan Mercury had an article titled “Area leaders gather to discuss reducing ‘persistent’ poverty.” I was listed as being present in the print edition. I did not attend. It would appear that the error has been corrected in the web edition, where I am not named. Nothing against the aims of the meeting or those who gathered, I simply was not present.

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Welcoming a New Member

This week we had the joy of welcoming a new member. Esther Swilley transferred her membership from another United Methodist Church. Please welcome her when you have a chance.

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Bulletin and Newsletter

Anna has been sick all week and so the Bulletin and Newsletter for today (November 16, 2025) has not been mailed or emailed out. I don’t have access to that list, but I do have access to the bulletin. Link.

You can livestream the service on our YouTube page. Link.

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North Central Kansas District Conference

The 2025 District Conference will be held on November 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 Neal Avenue, Salina, Kansas. Join Bishop David Wilson, District Superintendent Karen Rice Ratzlaff for a morning of inspiration and collaboration at this year’s district conference, focusing on missional and spiritual growth opportunities. We will worship together, set the district budget, and share our 2026 missional priorities. Then you can engage in one of the workshops and connect with leaders of our local district missional organizations and with one another.
Workshops include “Evangelism” (how we can share Jesus with our neighbors without being weird), “Lay-Clergy Collaboration” (everyone working together makes powerful ministry possible), “Church Insurance” (navigating insurance in your context is possible), “What’s Next” (strategically considering the future of your congregation), “Hospitality” (how your church can be known as the most inviting place in your community), and “Power of Lay Ministry” (God called you! Now what do you do with that?).

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New Deadline for Holiday Baskets

The deadline for donations to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday baskets for Ogden Friendship House of Hope has been extended to Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The reason for this extension is that 31 baskets are needed this year—a 58% increase over 2024. Donations are being accepted in the wire basket in the Southex. Needed items include: green beans, yams, boxed stuffing mixes, instant mashed potatoes, turkey gravy packets, chicken broth, cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied), Jiffy cornbread mixes, brownie mixes, and cake mixes. If you’d like, you can give your cash donation to Betty Beach, and she will do the shopping for you.

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Woodsy RSVPs Needed

Received from Bill and Erma Riley:

COLLEGE AVENUE FALL PICNIC (WOODSY)
4555 Meadow Crest, Manhattan,

Please RSVP !
Erma 785-532-8415 Bill 785-341-5542
Email is bill@thepathfinder.net

An annual event for all members and friends of College Avenue will be at Bill & Erma Riley’s home and woods. Experience fellowship in the woods with easy hiking trails and a hot dog meal provided.

Sunday, November 9, 2025 — 3:00 P.M. with meal at 5:00. Riley’s will provide hot dogs, smores, campfire, toilet, water and plank seating for 100+. Bring a covered dish ( in plastic preferably) and table service. Parking to picnic area is a 10-minute walk but all items will be transported from the parking area to the picnic site. Special transportation can be available as needed for individuals. Flashlights will be helpful!