“As I walked out the door towards my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind that I would still be in prison.” - Nelson Mandela

Many people feel anger, hatred and bitterness towards other people, their situation, a missed opportunity, you name it. I’m also sure we all know how liberated we feel when we let those feelings go.  Reverend Charlie Tyler spoke about Lee Horton who spent 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Lee was recently released, and he now speaks about the jubilation he feels just walking down the street.  My hope is that we all feel that jubilation.  We will continue to walk away from our bitterness, and enjoy ourselves and our relationships with each other. 

​“Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.” - Robert Frost

Recently the net in our lives is very high.  COVID has separated us physically.  Social issues have separated us from some neighbors, friends and family emotionally and intellectually.   The past year has taught many of us just how nice it is to be on a court with a very low net.  Our congregation offers us the place to enjoy life with the net down, and that feels so good.

​“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” - Peter Marshall, Presbyterian Minister, appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate (1946-1947).  (1902-1947)


Recently, people’s freedom has been a hot topic. The beauty of our congregation is that we see freedom as the opportunity to do what is right.  We wear masks to protect ourselves and others, we actively volunteer to help others, and we stand up for the rights of people just to name a few of our pursuits.  We continue to work for freedom for all so they have the opportunity to do what is right.

​“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.” - Unknown

This is beautiful. We all have good memories of the people that have touched our lives, and in those memories we have many treasures.  As life goes on, we learn that the very best moments come when we treat each other with love, respect and dignity - up to the very end.  I hope we continue to create and cherish these new memories, and find joy in knowing that no one can take any of the treasures we have collected.  They are priceless.