February 6, 2024
Posts Categorized: Ordained Ministry
May 3, 2019
Sightings
Splashdown at graveside A cautionary tale by Ken Rummer It had been a particularly wet spring, and clouds again threatened rain as we arrived at the cemetery. An arched-top tent marked the gravesite, just down the hill. I took my position at the back of the hearse. The pallbearers assembled and, after a few… Read more »
March 1, 2019
Sightings
The Missing Candle A Wedding Story by Ken Rummer My vote for most dangerous part of a wedding? The unity candle. A wick that refused to catch fire comes to mind. And I can still see the outdoor candle, just lit, that promptly succumbed to a mischievous breeze. In another wedding, two half-candles, individually… Read more »
September 6, 2018
Hopeful Church
Leading Like Water, not Like Lava: Is our church leadership fluid or frozen? by N. Graham Standish For a number of years I’ve been advising people to “lead more like water and less like lava.” Whenever I do people often look at me as dogs do when they hear a funny noise — ears… Read more »
June 29, 2018
Hopeful Church
Maybe We Just Don’t Get It! … or teaching old dogs new tricks by Graham Standish “Dad,… you just don’t get it!” How many times have I heard that refrain from one of my daughters? “Okay,… help me get it,” I reply. They just roll their eyes and mutter, “Never mind.” Not getting it is the… Read more »
May 4, 2018
Sightings
Pentecost Possibilities and Surprises by Ken Rummer Red banners. Strange tongues. Wind and fire. Pentecost Sunday (May 20) is almost here! The keynote story can be found in the second chapter of Acts, but my excitement for the day goes back to another story, a surprising one from my own life. Toward the end… Read more »
March 30, 2018
Sightings
Measuring A Life Wonderings, Fears, and Taking Stock by Ken Rummer Now in the seventh decade of my life, I wonder how I have done. Has my life been well-lived? Have I made the most of it? Has it mattered? As a teenager, I had a Peanuts cartoon on my wall. Snoopy is resting/sleeping on… Read more »
March 2, 2018
Sightings
Rocks and Stones Excavations In Memory by Ken Rummer I noticed that my last post got a little deep in the rocks (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/today/2018/02/02/sightings-11/). And I started wondering why. It might go back to my early years. At some point in childhood, I got into rocks. I think it was fossils that did it. One… Read more »
December 1, 2017
Sightings
Keeping Christmas When traditions have to change by Ken Rummer How will I keep Christmas this year, in retirement, in this new place? Now that Christmas is no longer part of my job, how will I mark the season? In my growing up years, we often attended Christmas vespers at the university. It was held… Read more »
November 7, 2017
The Unglued Church
Can We Talk About Sexism? In #metoo conversations, the church can do better by Susan Rothenberg Here’s a statistic that you may or may not find startling. A study by PC(USA) Research Services in 2016 revealed 84% of female teaching elders have experienced discrimination, prejudice or harassment based upon their gender. Yet, 48% of male… Read more »