Ken Baily
I’ve come to view Jesus the way I’ve come to view Elvis. I love the guy, but some of his fan clubs terrify me. John Fugelsang Dear Friends in Christ, If you read this before Good Friday, forgive me my quoted levity. Our Tenebrae worship with Taizé chants has sufficient gravity and darkness, as do …
On March 15, 2026, in worship we explored a series of scriptures regarding the meaning of blindness in our Gospels. On the fifth Sunday of Lent we held up a variety of texts where Jesus is offensive. Maybe even insulting. These are inspired by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1, where he calls the Christian …
For who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 Dear Friends in Christ, Esther is one of two books in our Bible that does not mention God. Yet the phrase “for such a time as this” is all through our faith. And God is …
Lent is the season of preparation for Easter, named by the Old English term that notes that days lencten (with other German and Saxon corollaries), meaning spring, but associated with the word lengthen. Lent lasts 40 days, reflecting Jesus’ time in the desert. It is a perfect time for a devotional conversation. Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, will …
Read moreLenten book study begins Sunday, February 22; all invited!
In the late fall of 2025 Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, Deacons received short surveys from about 30 people addressing what we like, what we value, what we long to include in our worship and mission. As the new year begins our Deacons are organizing to ask follow-up questions of as many members and friends …
Tugging the thread from Lot to Janus to Jeremiah… Dear Friends in Christ, A number of people have told me they do not follow the news lately. Many people are pleased that 2025 is over. And at an event in October twenty-one college students told me they are not optimistic about the future. But now …
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Paul, in Phil. 4:9 Dear Friends in Christ, None of us have seen Paul, exactly. It is rare to see Jesus, generally. But we have learned and heard about them, and …
For several Sundays in October Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, distributed a short survey to ask about priorities, values, and simply what people are doing and thinking about NHCC post-Covid, and these days. We have about 30 responses. If you did not get one to fill in, please contact us so we can send it …
I couldn’t do what I do if I didn’t have hope. Jane Goodall Dear Friends in Christ, Our faith has rhythms, rhymes, seasons, and (ahem) commandments. They all exist to invite dedication, devotion, delight, and abundant life. And to bring hope. Really. In much of New England October invites the rhythm of return to worship, …
Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the close of the age? Matthew 24:3 Dear Friends in Christ, Our New Testament is called Good News to reflect that people wanted just that: news, and something hopeful. We Christians have been that way for millennia. …