Month: March 2026

A few years ago, I was working on a resource to help students visualize the gospels in new ways. In a moment of weakness, I started to categorize how many verses each of the Gospel accounts dedicate to different parts of Jesus’ story: 24% on teaching, 10% spent on parables, 11% on healing stories, 3% calling disciples, 4% on resurrection stories, and 5% on “other.” While I was intrigued to learn that more than 1% is dedicated to Jesus foretelling his death, I was struck by the fact that 30% of the Gospel’s witness focus on the events of Holy Week—more than any other section of scripture. Scholars estimate that Jesus spent around 3 years in active ministry, by time alone, Holy Week represents less than 1% of Jesus’ ministry. Or to be more accurate, .64% of his ministry becomes the central narrative of our faith and one of only a few stories we return to each and every year.

When I start a Bible story, there is a moment, just a few words in, when a child will squint and give me a wary look asking, “Haven’t you told this story before?” or declares, “I’ve heard this story already.” There’s an implied question, wondering if, indeed, this story is worth a repeat; if it’s worth their time and attention. I was taught long ago, to answer the question, with a shrug “I don’t know, maybe you’ll hear it in a new way.” Some of our students accept this challenge, while others continue skeptical. When I gave this challenge a few weeks ago, a student conspiratorially told their neighbor, “It’s probably another story about God’s love.” Indeed this old story that takes up so much of the Gospels, is the story of God’s love. But can we hear it in a new way? Can it speak to us this year? Can we hold it with the same care that made the Gospel writers spend 1 out of every 3 words trying to capture these seven days?

Maybe you have an answer to those questions. Maybe you’re looking for one. Maybe you know which part of the story will speak to you this year. Or maybe you’re ready to be surprised by the possibilities. Will it be the bright green palm fronds waving, or music giving voice to ancient words, or times of prayer, or the sign of bread breaking, or the solemnity of a cross on Friday at noon, or the cool of an early morning or the blast of brass and the bright white of an easter Lilly? I wonder How will you hear the story this year? I wonder how God will speak in new ways through ancient words? I wonder how you will see the story of God’s love poured out?

As you prepare for Holy Week, the 1st and 2nd graders are excited to share their work. Panels will be hanging in the atrium. Each panel tells one story from Holy Week. The projects are cooperative and process driven—look for the explanations to accompany each image.

On my PC(USA) calendar, Friday of this week is noted as Mr. Rogers Day. I’m not sure how widespread such an observance is, but it got me thinking about him even so. Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood began airing when I was in fourth grade, and it stopped before our children were old enough to watch, so I don’t have firsthand memories of the program that many of you do. I’m of the generation that might think first of Eddie Murphy’s parody on Saturday Night Live, known as “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood.” Yet the more I have learned about Mr. Rogers, the more I come to appreciate the person behind the TV show.

Some of you might recall that Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. I once read that a regret he had was not keeping up with the original Biblical languages. While the same fading of skills is true for me, I don’t share his sense of remorse! Others will remember his oft-repeated counsel that whenever there is tragedy, to look for the helpers; those individuals who step in to assist. Both quotes tell us important things about the man.

A few years ago, a journalist named Tim Madigan was assigned the task of writing about Fred Rogers. Madigan recalls thinking it would simply be a fluff piece about a TV personality. What emerged, though, was a wonderful friendship that endured until Rogers’ death in 2003. Madigan wrote a book about the experience, describing, among other things, how Rogers helped the journalist repair his marriage and reclaim a life of faith. Each of the letters Fred wrote to him ended with the letters IPOY, which stood for “I’m proud of you.”

In one chapter, he shares a handwritten note from Rogers after Madigan received the Knight Rider Batten medal for excellence and humanity in journalism.

“That speech of yours,” Fred said, “is so eloquent, so human. I’m exceedingly impressed and moved. What I wrote down as I listened was ‘We’re journalists, not stenographers. We have a duty to let our outrage show through when we come across injustice. We need to let our compassion show through for other people’s suffering, and we need to let our awe show through at the glory of life. We have as much responsibility to celebrate life and the goodness of it as we do to root out evil.’ All I could think of as I heard you speak those truly magnificent sentences was, ‘That sounds like a 20^thCentury Jesus talking.’” (Madigan, Tim. I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers).

 As we wind down our observance of Lent, I pass on that comment from Reverend Rogers, or Mr. Rogers, or Fred, to you. Adding that it sounds like a good description to me of our calling as 21^st-century disciples of Jesus Christ, too.

When this date for the pastor’s column first came up, I wanted to write about why youth should register for the Montreat Summer Youth Conference, the deadline for which is this Sunday. And they should do that! But I’m calling an audible. Melanie Hardison is being installed this Sunday at 4:00 p.m., and I want to tell you what it means to be installed as a pastor from my perspective as the last person to be installed as a pastor at BMPC.

From one perspective, the installation of a pastor is a bit of administrivia, the fulfilling of all righteousness with our partners in the Presbytery of Philadelphia. And sure, that’s true. There is nothing innate that changes as a result of a pastoral installation – my work with youth wasn’t different before and after my installation. It formalizes a thing that’s already true and, in that way, it’s easy to dismiss.

But I do think there is something special that happens at these services. At my installation in September, my dear friends Vincent Kolb and John Francis came to preach and to sing. They got to meet you all, and you all got to meet them. The installation commission was made up of diverse people from the Presbytery, from my own vocational life, and from this congregation. This mashup of places, spaces, and times led to a sense that we were really finally getting to know each other. The initial awkwardness of mixed company gave way to small-world moments, personality insights, and a-ha realizations about why we are the way we are and why we are such a good match for each other.

Don’t go to Melanie’s installation service this Sunday because you think something magical will happen or because you think you should. Go because it will help you see who she is and how she will be your Associate Pastor for Congregational Care. Go because you’ll see how connected we are and how small the world is. Go to see what makes this such a remarkable community.

Also, youth, please register for Montreat by Sunday. Pretty please!

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). All of us carry heavy burdens from time to time. Even though we feel these burdens internally, we are not meant to carry them alone.

This year’s Caring Ministries Spring Symposium, this Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, explores how grief shapes our inner lives, our relationships, and our shared world. In addition to viewing the documentary Voices of Grief as a group, a panel of clinicians and faith leaders will explore various types of grief: personal, societal, ambiguous, and anticipatory. Panelists include:

Emilee Duckworth, MSW, LCSW, has a private therapy practice in West Chester specializing in grief and loss, chronic pain and illnesses, anxiety, and life transitions
Carla Levins, LCSW, FT, serves as a bereavement specialist and therapist with both children and adults at Peter’s Place in Radnor
Rev. Beth Toler, Th.D., M.Div., LMFT, an ordained Baptist minister, has a private practice and serves in our Middleton Counseling Center
Rev. Melanie Hardison, M.Div., MAMFT, serves as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care at BMPC

Following the panel, there will be a chance to gather in small groups, with the panelists rotating among the groups. We will conclude at 12:00 noon with a group blessing.

For those who need a break or a quiet place to process at any point in the morning, space will be set aside in the Converse House Parlor. Additionally, the BMPC Chapel will be available for prayer and reflection after the Symposium and throughout the season of Lent.

Our Caring Ministries team looks forward to shining a light of hope on the universal experience of loss and grief. Registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are always welcome.