Anyone else ever watch the “Public Right to Know” Facebook group? Someone posts about a pothole, a question about the city, or some other random thing and within hours it just might turn into a digital mob scene. One person makes a snarky comment, then another piles on, and suddenly everyone’s competing to be the […]
There’s something captivating about a good performance. The lights dim, the music swells, and suddenly we’re transported into someone else’s story. For nearly 50 years, audiences have experienced the dazzling world of “Chicago: The Musical,” currently performed by our own McPherson Community Theatre. This Tony Award-winning show continues to pack theaters because it brilliantly reveals […]
On this Father’s Day, many of us arrive with hearts full of gratitude for the fathers and father figures whose voices have shaped our lives. Some carry complicated emotions about absent or imperfect fathers, while others celebrate cherished memories and ongoing relationships. Today also marks a significant transition as we celebrate Deacon Jeanne’s years of […]
As Memorial Day arrives tomorrow, many of us find ourselves in that space between honoring the past and welcoming summer. Flags wave alongside blooming flowers. Communities prepare for both solemn ceremonies honoring those who gave their lives and the familiar celebrations marking summer’s start. Through these moments, we honor the past while looking forward to […]
There’s something deeply hopeful about this morning’s soaking rain after our long dry spell. We’ve just experienced the 9th driest March on record over the past 131 years, with rainfall over 1.6 inches below normal. In fact, this has been the 15th driest year to date, with precipitation more than two inches below what we […]
As spring break begins in McPherson, many of us share a special kind of anticipation. Those refreshing first days when students celebrate freedom from alarm clocks and homework, when families might plan special activities, when the promise of spring starts appearing in tiny green shoots pushing through the soil. Yet alongside that anticipation, we often […]
We gather this morning with heavy hearts, just days after the tragic loss of Flight 5342 from our the Wichita airport just down the road. You or someone you know may have known passengers or their families, and all of us feel the weight of this loss. In moments like these, when grief touches our […]
Late January finds us living in the wake of change. Just days ago, our nation witnessed the inauguration of a new president – a moment stirring hope in some hearts and deep concern in others. These national transitions remind us how change, even when democratic and orderly, may leave us feeling uncertain about what lies […]
By mid-January, most New Year’s resolutions have either taken root or fallen away. Our ambitious declarations about transformation often fade as routine settles back in. Many of us know what it’s like to stand up and boldly announce a change, only to face skepticism – sometimes from others, sometimes from ourselves. Whether it’s a commitment […]
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. […]
As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on growth and potential. Maybe you’ve written down resolutions, hoping to transform areas of your life. Or perhaps you’re simply pausing to consider what wisdom the past year has offered and what understanding you hope to gain in the months ahead. […]
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 […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 