I am pleased, humbled, and excited that Bishop David Graves of the Alabama-West Florida Conference has projected that I am to be appointed to be in ministry with the beautiful people of the Mary Esther United Methodist Church for a fifth year together. Last September, I began my 31st year under episcopal appointment, and I have never served another congregation … Read More
Message from Dr. Parkes about pausing in-person worship: July 15, 2020
The COVID-19 Task Force of MEUMC in its weekly meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, has recommended a temporary pause of in-person worship on our campus. I agree with this recommendation and have decided that in-person worship will pause beginning immediately and be reviewed weekly as to when to begin again. The Task Force reviewed the weekly data provided by Dr. Karen Chapman, … Read More
A Pastoral Letter to the Members and Friends of Mary Esther United Methodist Church
Greetings, dear colleagues in Christ’s Ministry! May the continuing gift of the Christ Child fill us all with joy on this 10th day of Christmastide! Many of you have already seen the articles and interviews in the major news outlets in the nation about the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace through Separation for the UMC. (Also see this set … Read More
A Note from Pastor Sam: May 2019
Resurrection? Okay. What then? A couple months ago, I started leafing through the pages of a popular, self-helpy sort of book that is sticking close to the top of the bestseller lists. (Looking at books that hang around on those lists can give us an insight to what is happening in the culture and what kinds of ideas people are … Read More
A Note from Pastor Sam: April 2019
What I’m Reading This month, I thought I would share a bit about what I’m reading these days. I don’t have as much time to read as I would like (do any of us?), but these are the paper books and audiobooks that are informing my thoughts and leadership right now. I’ll also include one of my favorite podcasts that … Read More
A Message from Pastor Sam: February 22, 2019
Hello, Beautiful People! Beginning this Saturday, February 23, 2019, through Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meets in St. Louis, MO. General Conference is made up of an equal number of clergy and lay delegates who vote on matters that eventually become church law, as recorded in the latest edition of The Book of … Read More
A Message from Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes: February 2019
Not All Love is Blind Chaucer said it first in his Canterbury Tales. But it didn’t catch on as a popular phrase until, as with so many others, Shakespeare said it: But love is blind and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; That’s from The Merchant of Venice. But Will S. also turns the phrase in Two … Read More
A Message from Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes: January 2019
Bags Packed! Ready to Go, God! Hello, Beautiful People! Welcome to 2019! This is the year! It’s time to hike forward together, to invite new friends to journey with us (they might even adjust our routes and plans), and to discover new horizons and destinations that God is calling us to. I love to hike. Some of our church members … Read More
A Message from Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes: September 2018
Hello, Beautiful People! In my early sermons at MEUMC, I tried to outline what I think are the most important characteristics of genuine Christian community. The first hallmark I named was this: God’s Word ALWAYS wants to become flesh. While the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ is the supreme example of enfleshment, it is not singular, some event in … Read More
A Message from Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes: August 2018
Hello, Beautiful People! You have made me feel so welcome here in Mary Esther that I do believe I will stay awhile. I have enjoyed working with your outstanding and creative staff as well as your enthusiastic and fun laity. If this is a honeymoon, then I’m enjoying it! Our initial worship series, “This I Believe” has been well-attended! We … Read More
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