Blog postings by our pastor Rev. Ben Daniel.
Friends, Two weeks ago, as I was walking home from my office, I looked down and saw what I assume is a hummingbird nest, and that little bit of discovered serendipity could not have come at a better time for me. That week, I had been spending too much time doom-scrolling on Twitter, grieving over mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde and…
“I do think this “religious” aspect is not in the marketplace of news. I do not want the term ‘Christian’ in our society to be associated with criminalizing those who differ on issues of morality. We should use persuasion, not force, let alone violence. Christians need to speak out now.” ~ Margaret As a white Christian woman, I find the Supreme Court’s…
Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are…
Friends, I am using this installment of “The Pastor’s Pen” to thank you for all the ways you continue to keep COVID safe. In general, thing have gotten more relaxed COVID-wise. The State of California has eased off on many masking requirements, folks are getting out more and traveling, and sometimes I have felt as if things are almost back to normal.…
A few months ago, I was witness to a terrifying scene in our sanctuary. I was in the balcony, and I looked down to see a group of MPC members having a friendly post-Celebration chat — while someone I knew to be a recent visitor sat about eight feet away, alone, fiddling with her bulletin, the very picture of isolation. I immediately…
Friends, Over the last week, several folks in the congregation have been kind enough to ask how I’m processing the recent news that Talitha has taken a call to serve as a Chaplain at the Children’s Hospital. I’d like to share a bit of what’s been going through my mind. First and foremost, I’m really happy for Talitha. She has a strong…
It’s been three long years since Covid prevented our MPC family from gathering on the magnificent shores of South Lake Tahoe for camaraderie, campfires, songs, good food, games, and spiritual growth. But now with great joy we are preparing to resume this cherished 40-year tradition! And now is the time to sign up! To entice you to take the plunge–whether you’re a…
Friends, I’m going to use this installment of the “Pastor’s Pen” to remind you that Holy Week begins on Sunday, as we celebrate Palm/Passion Sunday. The observations of Holy Week will continue with a Maundy Thursday service at seven PM on Thursday and a Good Friday service at seven PM on Friday. All of these services will be hybrid, meaning you can…
I wrote this article as a letter to the editor of our local paper, The Gilroy Dispatch, where it was published in February. Our MPC pastors have helped raise awareness of the continued mistreatment of our Native American siblings, and our Presbytery is challenging us to be active in making our voices heard. I’m from Tyler, Texas, and I attended Robert E.…
Friends, Because Sunday was Mister Rogers Day in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I spent a lot of time over the weekend thinking about the importance of kindness and of gentleness and wondering about how I might be a better neighbor to people close to home and far off. A lot of my “Rogersesque” musing started when I watched two films about Fred…