The New Normal

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

Wow! Sports are back.  Well, not quite.  Athletes are competing once again, but it isn’t the same.  Tennis and basketball have requested that players restrict their contacts with others and have been placed in a bubble for their matches and games.  All teams in MLB are playing, but the schedule has been shortened to 60… Continue Reading The New Normal

I Love to tell the Story

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

I am a student of film.  My mom and older sister had their favorite movies and whenever they were aired on television, the entire family would watch them together.  My mom would point out subtle plot lines or camera shots that enhanced the story that was unfolding on the screen.  My sister would usually talk… Continue Reading I Love to tell the Story

Sowing Seeds Exuberantly

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

The 2020 Michigan Conference has now ended.  This is one time we can truly say that “We have never done it this way before.” The theme for this year’s Conference was Sowing Seeds: Rooting, Tending and Reaping. The Bishop lifted up a very inspirational message during opening worship.  If you can, please share the Bishop’s… Continue Reading Sowing Seeds Exuberantly

Making a Difference

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

Matthew 25: 31-46 is one of my favorite Gospel passages. When I was considering a life in ministry, it was this passage that helped me say yes to the call God placed on my life. My Aunt Clairette was an awesome woman.  She became a minister in the early 1960s, and served as the Associate… Continue Reading Making a Difference

A Test of Faith

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

One of my favorite movies is called The Song of Bernadette.  The film chronicles part of Bernadette Soubirous’ life and the visions she saw that led to her becoming a saint. St. Bernadette’s visions led to the founding of the shrine at Lourdes.  During the opening credits of the film these words are displayed: “For… Continue Reading A Test of Faith

District-Wide Prayer Vigil Offered Tomorrow

Dear Midwest District, We invite you to enter into prayer in the way of your choosing from Noon until 2 pm Friday, June 5, 2020.   Issues of racism and violence are out in the open and on the streets around the country.  The Holy Spirit gives breath to the declaration that Black Lives Matter.  Despite… Continue Reading District-Wide Prayer Vigil Offered Tomorrow

Whenever Two or Three Are Gathered

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

Most of my life has been centered around church.  My parents belonged to two different faith communities.  My father’s church was part of the CME denomination.  My mother’s church became a United Methodist Church in 1968.  Over the years, my sisters and I would alternate between services, depending on which pastor was preaching or what… Continue Reading Whenever Two or Three Are Gathered

Seated at the Table

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

I have a shelf in one bookcase which is full of cookbooks.  Gourmet dishes, Pampered Chef recipes, a Superbowl Party smorgasbord and of course an ancient Betty Crocker tome.  Favorite dishes and desserts are easy to find.  Classics like chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles are stained and careworn from repeated use.  I’ve only prepared dishes… Continue Reading Seated at the Table

How Can I Help?

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

It’s snowing as I write this Corner.  Mid-April and it’s still snowing.  In some ways we have had a very mild winter with few snowfalls over a few inches.  I acknowledge that the 70 degrees of last week was only a promise of what is to come.  And in some ways, this cold spell helps… Continue Reading How Can I Help?

Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley

Puzzler's Corner Blog, Midwest District, DS Margie Crawford Blog

The title of this week’s Puzzler’s Corner comes from a song I learned in Elementary School, back when we sang Christian songs and there were music classes.  The verses of this song capture what these 6 ½ weeks of our Christian year are all about.  Like Jesus, we must spend time in a valley of… Continue Reading Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley

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