Pastors’ Column

Each week one of our pastors or staff members writes a column observing what is going on in our congregation, the Church and the world, and offering reflections on the Christian life and faith. Through this series of columns, we hope to connect your and our story to the enduring story of Christ; to offer pastoral reflections on our ongoing congregational life and mission; to report on news of the Presbyterian Church and Church universal; and to invite further reflection and deeper discipleship. We welcome your comments and suggestions. In other words, our words here are an invitation to continue the conversation.

Neighbors – it’s about Humanity, Respect, and Love

Jeffrey Brillhart July 11, 2019

Twenty-one years ago, I joined Singing City Choir, first as associate conductor and one year later, as Music and Artistic Director. From the very beginning of my tenure with this august group – founded in 1948 as one of the first integrated choirs in America – I have felt the resonance between its passion for social justice and BMPC’s wonderful focus on outreach and mission. As with BMPC, every decision Singing City makes is driven by those passions.

What is Your Mountain Top Experience?

The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick July 3, 2019

What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top?

A City on a Hill

The Rev. Franklyn C. Pottorff June 27, 2019

“A holy experiment.” That’s how the English Puritans understood what they were attempting to do, by crossing the Atlantic in the first part of the 17^th century and planting a colony far from the reach of bishops or kings. Seeing themselves as the wandering Israelites, seeking the Promised Land after escaping Egypt, the pious faithful huddled on the top deck of the Arbella as their leader, John Winthrop, delivered his now famous sermon.

Grateful to be Here

Brian K. Ballard June 20, 2019

If there is one aspect of the Christian faith that has embedded itself into my being, one truth that I return to again and again, it is this: Nothing we have is our own. Everything is a gift from God.

A Week in the Wilderness

The Rev. Rachel Pedersen June 13, 2019

To the outside world, I was a 14-year-old dressed in a Bible costume welcoming kindergartners into a highly-decorated preschool classroom. My co-leader and I greeted them asking if they had heard the news about Paul arriving in Rome. They giggled. They knew we were pretending, and we were indeed in the preschool classroom, not Bethany outside Jerusalem. We washed their feet and welcomed them to share a meal at our table. They helped us make bread and soup, grinding grain and kneading dough.

Summer Break/Breaking Ground

The Rev. Franklyn C. Pottorff June 6, 2019

Another program year has ended! And all God’s people (or at least the BMPC pastors) said, Amen!

The Next Chapter - Celebrating David’s Ministry

The Rev. Rachel Pedersen May 30, 2019

If you know anything about David Smith, you will know that he loves books: old books, new books, audio books. He has a constant list of things he is reading or planning to read. He loves nothing more than diving into new ideas and dissecting a good argument. In fact, it is not unusual to end a conversation with David either handing over a book or with him receiving one. It has been a joy to watch as that list of books read, and books to read, has grown over the past four years. They have testified to his strong sense of ministry and call.