EP Reflections
Meet the Presbytery Staff: Melinda Forbes
Last week at our monthly presbytery staff meeting, the Rev. Wendy Tajima had a great suggestion of having us introduce ourselves through the Monday Morning Updates. I elected to start the ball rolling this week. Hi everyone, my name is Melinda Forbes. I am married to...
Leading Women
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. Acts 17:4 As Presbytery staff, my preaching schedule runs roughly opposite of most pastors. I often joke that I am rarely asked to fill...
Pursuing Peace
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:13-14 It’s now been ten days since General Assembly (GA) ended, but some of us are still talking...
The Challenges of Inclusivity
God has sent me to proclaim release to the captivesand recovery of sight to the blind,to let the oppressed go free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18b-19 General Assembly ended last week, as we all came home on the 4th of July. Thanks to technology,...
Searching for Connection
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.In old age they still produce fruit;they are always green and full of sap,showing that the LORD is upright;he...
Body Wisdom
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say toeveryone among you not to think of yourself more highly than...
Restoration
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,the world, and those who live in it. Psalm 24:1 This last Saturday was our June Presbytery meeting and annual Day of Service, and I thought I’d share a few highlights. The meeting lasted almost exactly one hour as planned,...
Ancestors, Children, Servants
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,and rejoice with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:1-2a We have another Presbytery meeting, and our annual Day of Service, coming up this Saturday....
Dad’s Dream
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.” Luke 6:22 June is upon us, and soon we will have our Presbytery meeting and Day of Service on June 15th (please make sure to REGISTER today!),...
Executive Presbyter
Wendy has a creative, spiritual and prophetic way of seeing the world that offers deep insights for practical living. She believes the Church is renewed from the edges, not the center, when those who’ve been marginalized are embraced.