It still depresses me when I hear that snow is in our forecast again. I was counting on Punxsutawney Phil NOT to see his shadow this week, so that an early spring could arrive with daffodils, tulips, and warmer temperatures. Alas, if the groundhog is correct, we can expect 6 more weeks of winter wonderland. Despite preaching our current series on Spiritual Adventures in the Snow, and acknowledging that said adventures ARE possible, I must admit that I remain a Southern gal at heart. When the temps dropped below zero this past week, I wanted to pull the covers up over my head. But my husband Regis jumped out of bed all excited about skiing in the deep powder! 

So, this week, I am giving us all a break. No more encouragement to go out sledding or cross-country skiing. Stay in or go out as you like - but don't miss church this Sunday! We are having an incredible guest preacher, and you won't want to miss it. 

Rev. Kimberly Scott is a cradle United Methodist. Her mother nicknamed her “Revival Baby” after giving birth two months early, on the way home from a Fall Revival. During her childhood, seeds for ministry were planted by a father who served as a church Lay Leader and a mother who was the Children’s Choir Director. Kimberly is a second-career pastor who left her high school counseling job in 2012. Though she loved working with students, God called Kimberly to help young people who were being harmed by the church, especially those wrestling with their sexuality, identity, depression and suicidal ideation. These experiences were all too familiar for Kimberly! 

Rev. Scott has lived most of her adult life as an out Queer (same gender loving) woman and has both witnessed and experienced the challenges of straddling the trifecta of intersections of sexuality, race, and gender in the United Methodist Church. Pastor Kimberly has a passion for doing the liberating work of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, she wants to see ALL of GOD’s children experience the radical hospitality and inclusion in the church that we see exhibited by Jesus throughout the Gospel.

Kimberly Scott holds a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) from the Iliff School of Theology and a Masters of Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary, as well as degrees in Educational Leadership (MA) and Educational Psychology (MS). Kimberly was the first openly queer and African American female Elder ordained in the Desert Southwest Conference of the UMC in 2020. She has served the grassroots efforts of Reconciling Ministries in the Desert Southwest and Mountain Sky Conferences of the United Methodist Church since 2012. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Reconciling Ministries Network. Kimberly is also working on her PhD at the Claremont School of Theology in CA.

My friend Kimberly is an amazing preacher, singer and worship leader. Such a bright light shines forth from her soul, even in the midst of terrible trials and tribulations. Kimberly knows JOY - and she is likely to infect you with it as well. So, if you could use a sunburst, join us for worship at 10:15AM, education and new member exploration at 9AM, or fellowship at 11:15AM. We will be celebrating Communion with a special liturgy from Rev. Mary C. Johnson, a transgendered and retired United Methodist Elder from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and wife to former Bishop Peggy Johnson. Read more about this fascinating lady here.  

Chilly blessings for more sunshine (inside and out), Pastor Emily