Thursday, March 3, 2016


Things are starting to wake up as the rhythms of the New Year settle in and Spring approaches. The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance reached out to us again and we are planning to work with their Seed to Supper Program and Cooking Matters programs in conjunction with Redemption House homeless shelter.

Crook County Connect and Beyond is gearing up for another day of providing services to those living on the edges of society.

Something to add to this year? Minor construction to the church as we add a sidewalk straight out the doors and across the grass to the parking lot. We will also add a 12’ x 12’ Peace Pole patio. And the best part is we received a Barnabas Grant from the Presbytery of the Cascades to pay for this!

The Fund is named for Barnabas in the New Testament whose name means “son of encouragement.” He appears three times in the Acts of the Apostle, always in a supportive role.

 In our application we pointed to the need for the sidewalk (as evidenced by the scores of footprints making a path through the snow) as well as the need for the patio and peace pole. It will be the very first in all of Crook County. In talking with the presbytery’s administration they are very excited to partner with us as they support this peace pole.

In the Bible we find that peace is a common theme in Paul’s letters as he begins his writings by offering grace and peace to the reader. We talked about this “peace” a few weeks ago as a part of our Disciple Bible study series.

The lesson said “Peace is that vibrant shalom that rings with harmony – being one with God, with neighbor, and with self. The entire universe is groaning for the peace that characterized creation on the seventh day but desecrated by the disobedience of humankind. Peace through Christ and his indwelling Spirit gives assurance to every Christian that all is well. Love casts out fear and brings perfect peace.”

I hope this peace pole does more than just attract attention. I want it to be a spark that gets each of us talking to everybody else about this perfect peace we know in Jesus Christ.

Together We Serve,
           Pastor Mike