CANDLELIGHT SERVICE A slathering of cast off couches await. Sagging creamy candles flicker joy. Kitchen counter clothed with cookies. Folks sneak one as they slowly wander by. Villagers pile in from off the street, shouting cheerful greetings ‘cross the room. The Wise’s share their Christmas letter Others run to give some little gift. Still others tell fun stories, making others smile. Little Violet screws up the courage to tell…

I attended a Mission Southwest meeting last week. It was comprised of several pastors and other church leaders and we all gathered around tables to plot paths forward regarding various ministry opportunities in the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America. Of course, we gather from all around the state and before we sat down, as is the custom, we walked around greeting each other. Hearty hand…

HEALING WOUNDS Truth creeps across the threshold like darkness steals the day, a slow slog of forgetting, a dying act of letting go: It is hard to live, forgiving. Far as distant earthen corners, so far our sin has been removed, even still we’d quick go digging, taking back our dreadful wounds. We hold miserly to what we know. At every moment it’s the other, who we believe should…

As in ages gone by the Park family will be hosting a Hot Drink Holiday Special on December 6th (Saturday) at our home. A truly horrendous holiday movie will be played inside, while a nice fire will be outside. Anyone is welcome to come and bring friends. The party will start at 6:30 and go till everyone leaves. Feel free to come and go at any time or not…

Raeya had a problem last night. I'm one of the pastors of the church and when one of your parishioners has a problem you are compelled to listen and take what actions you can to remedy the situation. I was busy talking to Colleen about my sermon. I had not made some things clear during my sermon, and she had been questioning me about the unclear things. I think…

Hello Village community, I recently had a birthday party, where I gave a speech proclaiming what my last year has been, and my own blessing on my next year to come. I wanted to share it with all of you, as a way for you to know me deeper, and as a way for you to know how to pray for me. Love you all. "I long for my…

The carpet cleaners came and left and before they went they pulled the sectional couch away from the wall and uncovered a treasure trove of missing items among the cat hair, dust, and cobwebs that had partly filled the crack between the couch and wall. There was a copy of Christian Courier that contained my Graveyards poem. I thought I had lost that copy forever, but there the poem…

Hey folks, It's Soup Supper Weekend!! Here is your volunteer list Kid Vespers Kelly McConnell Amanda Markwardt Nursery  Keith Brunson Anna Brunson Band Grey Skies no Keith Cook Corrie Wise Other Stuff As stated above, the soup supper is tomorrow. It starts at 6pm, please bring your friends and come hungry! Fallow  Month is soon upon us. If you want more info about things like Fallow month and other…

As just about everybody knows by now, I'm riding in the El Tour de Tucson this year.  I've dreamed about doing this ever since I moved to Tucson almost 30 years ago, and I'm finally doing it.  I've been training for several months, and am ready to do the 55-mile version of the race (hopefully, next year I can do the whole one!). This is really exciting for me,…

I spent Friday night and half of Saturday with Eric at a gathering of Christian Reformed pastors and leaders hosted by the Village with a mission to discover how we might 'be together' in new and better ways. How fun it is to see the beauty of Village hospitality on display. Thanks to those who hosted overnight guests in their homes and who cooked some amazingly delicious food for…

Saturday's Walk for Freedom was a success. I speak of the success of awareness. There were 400 people in attendance and because these people are aware of the travesty of sex trafficking that number of people can only grow as time goes on. My heart was touched by something the founder of Free Ever After, Cynthia Magallenas said. She shared a bit of her story and confessed to a…

Hey everyone, Just a short email this week. Here is your volunteer list Kid Vespers Eric Cepin Sue Cepin A note - We are no longer doing Little Vespers, they have been combined and will be ages 3 to 7. Kids aged 8 will be in with Mid Kids when we have it every other week. Nursery Ron Layman Tamaki Layman Cook Shelly Neese(This is The Dean's friend, she…

I am not enough.  I feel it so many days, so many times.  My kids need so much more than I can give them.  I'm not talking about possessions or food.  I'm talking about meaning, assurance, explanations.  I am not enough and I will never be enough.  I am reminded of that everyday. Chris is struggling with focusing in class.  He can't keep up with the work because he…

On October 1, I had eye surgery to remove cataract, I was born with, from my right eye, also had a cornea implant to correct astigmatism. On October 15, the left eye was performed. . On October 16, my right eye was 20/20, left eye 20/50, started to use "cheaters" for reading. Since then, I have been completely amazed with being able to see as clearly as I have…