henning-memorial-united-methodist-church

Sticky Notes

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:25:02 GMT

When Sticky Notes Become Notes that Stick

I am a sticky-note person. Things to do, follow-ups, ideas to ponder—what doesn’t make the calendar lands on a sticky note. Right now, six are scattered around my desk and three sit in a drawer. As tasks get finished, there’s a victorious wadding and tossing.

Then I found one that simply said:

“Not in a hurry.”

I have no idea when I wrote it or why it’s in quotations. But it reminds me of an exercise I led years ago for over 200 in attendance. Each person received a reading with all spaces and punctuations removed. We did well at first, but then unison reading frayed into a chaos of mumbling, stumbling, and confusion. No one knew where one word ended and another began.

The point was simple: we all need space. Without margins to breathe, reflect, and rest, our lives turn into that same frantic chaos.

I used the exercise a few years ago and it bombed. The audience read the paragraph with very little struggle. It revealed a truth that we have been trained to live without space, without pauses and rest. And yet, we live in a time when we can’t figure out why we are filled with overloaded emotions and weary minds. We wonder why we feel so anxious and exhausted.

So maybe that sticky note is for each of us as a gentle reminder to give ourselves permission to step back, to create room in our day to breathe, grieve, laugh, heal, and wonder.

The Church Being the Church

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:00:38 GMT

The Church Being the Church!

“We have a church and they love us… they just don’t know what to do with us.”

When a young mom with an autistic child shared those words with me nearly two years ago, they burned in my spirit. But God planted them like seeds in fresh soil, turning what felt beyond my reach into a mission. We reached out to Emily Keeley and others in our church and community, and together with our leadership and staff, you got to work shaping this vision into something extraordinary. Yesterday, we officially launched our Sensory Family Fellowship ministry!

Through our Open House, families experienced a safe space to explore, connect, and share firsthand struggles and celebrations with others who truly understand. It was pure joy in action! Stepping beyond what is comfortable is simply in the DNA of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church. HMUMC offers so many creative and meaningful ways to do ministry and be the church because you are a people who care deeply for one another, invite others to discover and share their gifts, and dare to stay curious, even when goals seem lofty and obstacles insurmountable.

Thank you for your open hearts, your boundless courage, and for knowing exactly what to do… seek God’s guidance, lean on God’s grace, discover ways to share that grace, and invite others into the journey!

The Gospel Next Door

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:07:39 GMT

The Gospel Next Door

This past Sunday we wrapped up our “Clichés for Christ” sermon series.

Honestly, I’m not sure if “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is actually a cliché or a mode of decision making, but we went with it. I admit, it’s probably been over 50 years since I’ve been a part of a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” conclusion, but I do remember hearing (and saying…) “let’s go for two out of three… five out of seven…” in hopes that a preference would win out.

Truth be told, most of us would rather the world consider our preferences. As we age, we learn to refine our “Rock, Paper, Scissors” by moving away from simple games of chance toward choices rooted in curiosity, shared understanding, and grace.

Which brings us to our October’s sermon series we’ve entitled, “The Gospel Next Door.”

I need your help! Each week we will offer one or two prompt questions. Please respond in any format that is comfortable for you. I will not use names, unless I am given permission. Your responses will guide the sermon and help us see what living out the Good News of Jesus Christ looks like in our everyday lives.

So… here’s the first prompt. (Feel free to answer one of both of these questions by Monday, September 28th.)

Share a moment when you or someone you know refused to take sides and instead helped find a way to work together.

Who is a person you know that has a way of bringing people together?

Every Office Needs a Baseball

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:44:51 GMT

Each week, we have "Chapel Time" with our daycare preschoolers. It’s an energy-filled time of learning and singing. Today, I showed them a special baseball given to me years ago in Shreveport.

It’s in a protective, clear case. There’s no famous signature, and it has never been hit by a bat or thrown to a glove. It was simply given because "every office should have a baseball." Five offices later, I still have it, and it remains untouched.

Baseballs were made to be thrown, caught, and hit. How many of us have talents, abilities, or creativity bottled up for so long that we’ve forgotten our why?

This morning, I took the baseball out of the case. Each child held it (after promising not to play “hot potato” with it) and passed it to a friend. We talked about the talents, kindness, and love of Jesus that we hold in our hearts, and about opening our eyes and minds to experience our purpose.

Next time you stop by my office, look for the baseball on the shelf. It’s easy to recognize. It’s the one that has never been thrown, hit, or caught. But it has been held by a group of beautiful children, reminding us to invite curiosity into our deeper purpose and how we live it out.

Mystery Bags

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:31:21 GMT

Mystery Bags...

Each Sunday morning during our 10:00 worship service, a child presents the “Mystery Bag” during the children’s moment. It is a tradition I inherited when I became your pastor. Truthfully, while I had heard of it before, I never had the nerve to implement it in any of the previous churches I served. It sounded a bit daunting and… well… mysterious.

As it turns out, I quite enjoy it. Granted, the mystery still leaves me baffled from time to time (and I know some of you enjoy watching me sweat a little too much!). But as I ponder what I truly love about the Mystery Bag, it isn't the intellectual challenge (even though it keeps my mind sharp and my spirit humble). Nor is it the energy the suspense brings.

It’s the smile on the child’s face when they hand me the bag. It’s their willingness to help me find meaning and spiritual connection in both ordinary items and prized possessions. It’s knowing they trust me with something that matters to them. Most of all, it’s the reminder that when we sit and talk with one another, even for a few moments, we get to witness the beauty of God’s love, mercy, and grace. (And there’s no mystery in that!)

We Are Opening Our Doors Wider!

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:21:17 GMT

Sensory Family Fellowship

Greetings!

I am so honored and excited to share some wonderful news! Henning Memorial UMC has been awarded a grant to launch a brand-new ministry: Sensory Family Fellowship !

Starting this fall, we will gather twice a month after school to offer a sensory-friendly space where neurodivergent and autistic children can play, create, and belong, while their caregivers relax and connect in a loving environment.

I am especially grateful to Emily Keeley, Joseph LeBoeuf, and our Leadership Council for committing to this ministry, sharing ideas, helping with grant-writing, and offering prayers and support. We are also grateful to The St. Nicholas Center for offering free specialized training for our volunteers!

Because this ministry of belonging takes shared love, it will take our whole church family to bring it to life. We are inviting everyone to be part of this celebration through different levels of support:

Prayer Partners lifting up our families and volunteers

Welcoming Greeters to share a warm smile at the door

Student Guides & Buddies to share in fun activities

Snack Hosts to provide allergen-friendly treats

Prep & Activity Crew to prep art projects, games, and sensory bins ahead of each session

Whether you can give an hour a month, help prep supplies behind the scenes, or hold this ministry in prayer, there is a place for you to serve. Come celebrate with us as we share Christ’s unconditional love in a fresh, joyful way!

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Jo