Anyone else already tired of back-to-school ads? It’s only early August, but every store has transformed into a shrine to three-ring binders and number two pencils. My favorite are the commercials showing perfectly organized children cheerfully packing their backpacks at dawn. Meanwhile, most of us remember or experience the reality—frantically searching for matching socks while […]
August in Kansas sometimes means we’re caught between seasons. Summer isn’t quite finished with us, but fall is already sending advance notices through school supply displays and fall sports practice schedules. Many of us are still watering gardens – some thriving despite the heat, others looking like they’ve had quite enough of this Kansas summer, […]
Late February brings the first whispers of spring approaching. With temperatures warming and ice beginning to melt, we feel a subtle shift in the air – a promise of renewal. Yet in this season of transition, many of us still carry winter’s restlessness. The novelty of New Year’s resolutions has worn off, and we might […]
As the decorations come down and resolutions fade, mid-January often feels like returning to earth after the holiday season’s heightened moments. Perhaps you’ve noticed how quickly our ambitious New Year’s commitments meet reality’s gravity. The gym crowds thin out, the healthy recipes get more creative with “substitutions,” and those meditation apps send increasingly hopeful notifications. […]
Tonight all across McPherson, people are singing “Silent Night.” We’re all celebrating Christmas Eve, but each of us is doing it a little differently. Some of us are sitting in the same pews where our parents and grandparents once sat. Others are starting new traditions. Some of us see empty places where loved ones used […]
We gather this first Sunday of Advent fresh from Thanksgiving tables and carrying both gratitude and grief – some of us still feeling the warmth of family gatherings, others mourning empty chairs, like those who gathered Wednesday to celebrate Carl Kasey’s 101 years of faithful living. In these days between giving thanks and preparing for […]
Family stories have a way of shaping us, don’t they? Whether it’s the tales of our grandparents’ sacrifices, the funny anecdotes shared at reunions, or even the painful chapters we’d rather forget – these narratives form the fabric of who we are. As we reflect on our church’s 150-year journey, we’re reminded that we, too, […]
From generation to generation, for 150 years, our congregation has been a testament to God’s enduring faithfulness. As we celebrate this milestone today, we’re reminded of Abraham gazing at the stars, each point of light representing a promise that would unfold across centuries. Have you ever considered how your faith today connects to those who […]
I find something magical about the Kansas State Fair. The aroma of funnel cakes, the excited shouts from midway rides, and the proud displays of prized pumpkins and handcrafted quilts create a uniquely Kansas experience. My family, perhaps like yours, has been coming to this fair for generations. So, some places, like the Domestic Arts […]
Imagine standing at a crossroads, the horizon stretched before you, painted with the bright colors of dawn. This moment, right now, feels like that—a pivotal point in our journey together. As I share the news of my upcoming appointment to McPherson First United Methodist Church, we stand together on the edge of change, between the […]
One month from today, I will begin serving as pastor at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with some of the key leaders and staff from the church. I shared a document with everyone that I met outlined some of my personal priorities as well […]
This past fall and winter, I had the opportunity to take part in the Leadership and Faith: Transforming Communities program through the Kansas Leadership Center with the Missions team at Resurrection West. I want to share my reflections and learnings from that time in light of the General Conference 2012 of The United Methodist Church. When […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 