Community

Friends I’m really proud of the work our music director, Elaine Choi, and our music ministry and sanctuary choir did this past Sunday with Considering Matthew Sheppard. Now, granted, they had some 60 extra voices they brought in as support. I’m not sure when I’ve heard such beautiful sound in our sanctuary—and that’s saying a lot. But our choir leads were still the heartbeat of the performance.

Each of them had a solo at one point. We’ve heard these voices before. But there was something different in this… Read more

“What is the New Cathedral Project’?”

We were in a meeting envisioning our capital campaign next fall. The New Cathedral Project was on a list of things we want to fund, so it’s a reasonable question. But I found myself fumbling with how to explain it.

Basically, it means we’re at the source for the best “contemporary” worship music being written. We’re not just receiving it from others. John Arndt has helped his band “The Brilliance” and collectives like… Read more

In recent years, people in the West have felt confused and have had to rethink the role of Christianity and the church in society. We have seen ultra-right movements (such as those observed in our southern neighbors) that represent themselves as Christian while performing very questionable actions. As a reaction, others conclude that these actions are what Christianity is and are ready to blame the faith for all that is wrong. I believe the ideas and statements raised by this exhibition offer an alternative explanation of what Christianity truly is, especially… Read more

Dr. Olga Sobkovych Curatorial Statement

Thank you to everyone who has made this exhibition possible. And thank you especially to Payman Doddress, my ESL teacher here at the church. He is the editor of everything written, even this speech! So, any mistake I make in English is his fault!

As I stand here thanking everyone who’s done their bit, I remember it all started with thanksgiving, too! My first… Read more

I’m delighted to tell you about an upcoming art exhibit at our church. “The Passion of Christ in Times of Adversity” won’t just hang on our walls. It will adorn our worship space during holy week. “Art for art’s sake” has its place, but this is art for worship’s sake.

Its curator, Dr. Olga Sobkovych, and one of its artistic contributors, Olha Tkachenko, have been worshiping at our church for a year or so. As you might have guessed from their names, both are… Read more

By Pastor Jason Byassee and Lisa Brisebois 

I often use this blog to reflect on the challenges and opportunities we face as a church—and sometimes to share exciting news. Today, I hope to do both. I want to offer a few reflections and extend a heartfelt invitation to an important interfaith event taking place in the Flora McCrae Auditorium on March 1 (2-5 pm).

This initiative began when two interfaith advocates at TEMC, Lisa Brisebois and Mary Rolland,… Read more

You’re going to pray how often?!

It’s a reasonable question. Since Pastor Dayle announced that we would be praying together daily from Monday-Thursday at noon in the West Chapel, and gathering again for the eucharist Tuesday evenings at 7 and Thursday noon back in the West Chapel. Monday evening we’ll gather for in the Beattie Room for a less formal and liturgical time of more spontaneous prayer. At this point, you could be forgiven for wondering if we’re praying “too much.” Add in an intro to the Bible course Dayle… Read more

One of the foundational texts most of us had to read in secondary school is Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, about a caravan of pilgrims on the way to St. Thomas Becket’s shrine in Kent. We complained about having to read it, but I feel sorrier for kids today not made to read it. It’s good for you. It’s beloved partly because it’s so secular—bawdy and ordinary and alive—and not just churchly.

The travels I have upcoming are a combination of sacred and secular, if a bit more PG than Chaucer’s… Read more

Jason Byassee 

I’ve enjoyed preaching at TEMC this summer perhaps a bit more than senior ministers traditionally have. Our Festival of the Word has brought amazing preachers, as we have had this summer in Paul Scott Wilson and Donyelle McCray from Yale. Thanks for indulging me the chance to preach through Judges with Pastor Dayle and Joanne.

Earlier in the summer I got to preach and teach at Lakeside OH’s Chataqua Institution. This was originally a… Read more

Hello reader friends,
 
If you or anyone you know is thinking of joining our monthly Cover to Cover book club, I am so happy to give you some overview of some of our next selections.
 
With book club I have been attempting to introduce the group to a variety of styles, genres and even time periods in hopes there will be something for everyone. While there isn’t always a projected or overt faith or religious tenet to the books, there is always something that will either apply to a faith walk or at least something to inspire a reader to… Read more