Prayerful Reflections for Advent 2025
Click HERE to read Reflections for Advent, edited by FCM Member, Rev. Julia Styles.
Transitions – A Poem
Transition takes various forms and modes. Stories left untold. Some heartbreak, some bold Yet, all lead to similar roads Cancer found within the breast. From life of joy to one with little rest Hopes turn to fears unsuppressed. And dreams die under duress. Liver decay found out late. Desire transplant but body may not wait.
Statement on Annunciation Catholic School Shooting
The tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis this morning has left us heartbroken and horrified. The very places we seek for safety, refuge, and fellowship - schools and churches - have once again become scenes of unimaginable violence.At FCM, we are committed to moving beyond words and toward loving action. We stand in
Sacred Moments: A Poem
Sacred moments, how are these defined? Are they marked by goosebumps and hallelujahs intertwined? Are they comprised of rituals and ordinances, washing feet, baptism, and partaking of bread and wine? How do we describe a sacred moment or sacred space? What is sacred and how can I be sure when it truly takes place? Sacred;
Nothing is Impossible with God
Abraham is the Patriarch of the Jews. He was the first of his people to profess the belief in One God, Yahweh. While others worshiped many, he and his family worshiped only One. As the story goes, one day he got a visit from an Angel of the Lord telling him that he was going
A Pastor’s Journey to Becoming Fully Affirming: In 10 Parts
Part 1: Sodom and Gomorrah There is a whole category of sex named after a biblical city that was destroyed by God. When I was a teen, the message was simple: God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of homosexuality. The church says so. The English language says so. Except… I actually read the story again
Simon Peter, the Rock and the Church
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose Simon Peter as the rock for which the church is built on? Peter was renamed by Jesus. “Simon (who is called Peter)” (Matthew 10:2). “These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), (Mark 3:13). Greek meaning for Peter is Rock: Πέτρος, Πέτρου,
FCM Executive Director Statement: Faithful Resistance to Fear and Violence
FCM’s mission requires love. As an organization dedicated to supporting, nurturing and empowering expansive ministries and faith communities, we must always center love, acceptance, and justice in our work. Guided by the principles imparted to us through our sacred texts, FCM stands in unwavering opposition to the ongoing ICE raids and the broader systems
“You’d Be So Pretty If…”: The Spiritual Toll of Conditional Love
The other day, in the spirituality group I lead for adolescents in inpatient psychiatry, we talked about the invisible weight we carry when other people's expectations and judgments strike at our very core. It didn't take long for the familiar phrases to emerge: "You'd be so pretty if you smiled more." "You're too much." "You're
How I Became WOKE: My 30-Year Journey of Faith, Justice, and Change
Thirty years ago (1995), I was a Republican. I had a life that revolved around my local parish, was a pro-life advocate, was someone who couldn’t quite understand the need for affirmative action and was someone who could not tolerate a gay pride parade. I never bought the abomination theory but I was uncomfortable with
