sarafinger

For the decades I served local churches as appointed clergy, I would occasionally encounter acts of good will and affirmation in October. This isn’t because I wasn’t blessed to receive compliments and acts of gratitude for my pastoral efforts during other times of the year, but because October is traditionally known as Clergy Appreciation month. [...]

I am always sent to self-reflection when I read Paul’s praise of the Macedonian churches in II Corinthians 8. Paul was seeking to raise funds for the relief of the poor Christians in Jerusalem during a time of difficulty for the Mother Church of the Christian movement. Paul praises those Macedonians “for during a severe ordeal [...]

Earlier this week, the United Methodist Foundation for the West Ohio Conference sponsored a timely and inspiring event called The Generosity Summit. Clergy and laity from across the WOC gathered on the southern shore of Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park just outside Toledo, Ohio for two days of worship, fellowship, networking, and attending [...]

The temperatures may not reflect it yet, but fall is nearly upon us. Autumnal Equinox would be the proper term. The beginning of spring and autumn are equinoxes, while summer and winter begin with solstices. There are only two times of the year (in March and September) when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward [...]

This week I attended an event that could be described as both unique and historic. Clergy and lay leadership from three United Methodist Conferences…the Kentucky, the Tennessee-Western Kentucky, and the Central Appalachian Missionary…gathered in Bowling Green, KY. It was unique in that such a meeting has likely never taken place, and some of the topics [...]

Who or what inspires you?  The underdog comes from behind and pulls an upset in a sporting event. Seeing someone overcome great obstacles to achieve success. The glory of a sunset at the beach or in the mountains. The courageous actions of someone who takes a stand because they refuse to be denied. What creates [...]

Recently my wife and I were in an antique mall, and I came across a booth filled with vinyl records. As I was thumbing through them, I found a copy of Simon & Garfunkel’s first album from 1964, “Wednesday Morning, 3am”. The record describes itself as “exciting new sounds in the folk tradition”. On the [...]

Earlier this week, I was out in my yard, preoccupied with watering the flowers and a multitude of things I needed to do. In the midst of hurrying to get my task done so I could on to another task on my list, I saw a beautiful butterfly, a tiger swallowtail, dancing among the blooms. I watched as [...]

As part of our Foundation’s portfolio, we manage the scholarship and grant dollars of the Martin Methodist (College) Foundation. Though the school no longer functions as it once did, the legacy of gifts from generous donors lives on to provide resources for students on their higher education journey. Recently, our staff and members of the [...]