“Some kids are smarter than you, some kids have cooler clothes than you, some kids are better at sports than you. It doesn’t matter. You have your own thing too. Be the kid who can get along. Be the kid who is generous. Be the kid who is happy for other people. Be the kid who does the right thing. Be the nice kid.” – Bryan Skavnak

“As we celebrate 70 years of women’s ordination, we give thanks for the faithful witness of those who have gone before and for the many women whose ministries continue to enrich and transform The United Methodist Church today. With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, may we continue to affirm the full participation of all God’s children in the life and mission of the Church, trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead us into ever greater faithfulness and inclusivity in the years ahead.” – Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of Archives and History for The UMC

“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables.’”

– Mark 4:10-11

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the scripture lesson, Biblical character Hannah is honest with God about her broken-heartedness in wanting to have a child. We have resources for those who have experienced, or are experiencing, infertility, miscarriage and child loss available on our website at: uumc.org/longest-night-resources. On this page you will also find resources for other kinds of loss.As a Reproductive Freedom Congregation, we have gathered helpful resources and education materials and you can learn more here: uumc.org/reproductive-justice

“In this time of great reflection on two hundred fifty years,
We remember, as a nation, times we’ve prospered, times of tears.
“We shall be,” a preacher told us, “as a city on a hill”—
not to praise us but to warn us: We’ve a duty to fulfill.” – “In this Time of Great Reflection” by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

“While the Fourth of July is not a liturgical “holy day”, it is a chance to remind one another of America’s aspiration to be a “a more perfect union.” One that still has miles to go when it comes to equality, justice, peace, and general welfare. The Gospel calls us to feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison. The church knows how to help our country become who we say we want to be.” – Rev. Dr. Lori Walke, J.D. for Illustrated Ministries

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” so the saying goes. Psychologists tell us that a common enemy can create a very fast friendship. But they also tell us that relationships built on such things are shallow, fragile, and stand on a shaky foundation of context-dependent reactivity. On the other hand, psychologists tell us that bonding which occurs over common good, that which focuses more on what we are for than what we are against, creates relationships that take more time and effort, but are far deeper and more stable, characterized by greater trust and better conflict recovery, and can even have a positive impact on your physical health. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” is not a Christian sentiment. Honesty, even when it’s difficult, and hospitality, even when it’s inconvenient, are marks of Christlikeness, relational health, and exactly the kind of discipleship we are called to. — Shae Wiens

“I am a person of faith and a gay man. Pride is a celebration and commitment to justice I make every day.” — Rev. Dr. Alvaran, United Methodist Pastor in California

How can we name a Love
That wakens heart and mind
Indwelling all we know
Or think or do
Or seek or find
Within our daily world
In every human face
Love's echoes sound
And God is found
Hid in the commonplace — from the hymn “How Can We Name a Love?”

“May your tongue tingle with the good news. May your heart open to all the people of the street. And, when you are ben over by sorrow, may you find the Spirit’s feather on the ground waiting there to give you hope.” — A Pentecost Benediction by Maren Tirabassi