Sally Penning, Author at St. Luke's United Methodist Church

15 09, 2019

A Pastoral Conversation Regarding Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

Sally Penning2019-09-19T15:53:28-05:00September 15th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|7 Comments

In my sermon on 9/15/19, I mention having substantive conversations with others regarding difficult issues in a way that is respectful, focuses on issues rather than demonization, and helps us learn about how those who disagree with us come to their points of view. In publishing this paper together, Chap Temple and I have sought to model that process. I hope you can learn something about how people with two different perspectives view same-sex marriage in the church. Tom Pace A Pastoral Conversation Regarding Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

13 09, 2019

Why I Joined a Small Group, by Kelly Phelan

Sally Penning2019-09-13T09:26:12-05:00September 13th, 2019|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

When I was asked to write about my reasons for joining a small group, and what I have gotten out of the experience, I started to think about my journey at St. Luke’s. After an invitation from friends, I began my journey the weekend following Hurricane Harvey. Without that invitation, I would not have recognized how much I wanted to find a community in which my faith would grow and strengthen. I had been attending different churches throughout the Houston area for years, and not finding what I was looking for. I wanted a church community with [...]

13 09, 2019

We need one another

Sally Penning2019-09-13T09:11:43-05:00September 13th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, As always, I need your help. Holy Spirit, fill my whole self and guide me. Give me a courageous voice to speak the truth as I see it, and the wisdom to know when to keep silent. Give me ears to hear, and a mind that is truly open to listen. Give me a heart that feels, and honest empathy for others. Give me eyes to see the world through the eyes of my brother or sister. Give me hands that serve both friend and enemy, and the commitment to make a difference rather [...]

6 09, 2019

Spending Time with the Llamas, By Caitlin Reynolds

Sally Penning2019-09-06T09:33:05-05:00September 6th, 2019|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

Last year my husband Jamey and I were looking for a way to get involved with St. Luke’s, and we found the Children’s Ministry. We have two small children and thought that teaching Sunday school was the perfect way for our family to serve the church. We had the pleasure of teaching one of the two-year-old Sunday school classes, the Llama class, and enjoyed every minute of it. Jamey and I are happy to share our wonderful memories of the Llama class with our church family. One of our students welcomed her baby sister while she was in [...]

6 09, 2019

I hear there are divisions among you

Sally Penning2019-09-06T09:16:10-05:00September 6th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, When I read the papers, watch the news, read and hear the comments, it seems that the animosity towards others is overwhelming. It appears folks have all chosen a team, and have little good to say about anyone on another team. I would like to believe that it is only the people on the fringe, but it seems deeper than that. You know, God, how hard I try to bring people together, to unite people around our mission, to share your truth as I understand it in a way that people can [...]

30 08, 2019

Don’t be a slacker

Sally Penning2019-08-30T09:15:30-05:00August 30th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, on this day, I am asking for a fresh start. It is a new school year, a new beginning with projects and goals for my life and my work. Are they what you want for me? Have I correctly discerned your preferred future for my life? I have tried to listen to you, God, and get clarity, but sometimes it seems so fuzzy. I ask you today to put the right dreams in my heart, the right goals in my head, the right hopes in my soul, the right projects on my schedule. Your scripture [...]

23 08, 2019

Do All The Good You Can, by Cindy Pierce

Sally Penning2019-08-26T10:31:08-05:00August 23rd, 2019|We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” – John Wesley I saw this quote at the LIFT Study group my friend asked me to join. This was the first time I had been regularly at church in almost 11 years. Eleven years ago my husband, who has Parkinson’s, fell twice - both times caused traumatic brain injury. Overnight I went from an active [...]

23 08, 2019

Needing to be needed

Sally Penning2019-08-23T08:57:33-05:00August 23rd, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, I still remember the day I heard you call my name, asking me to follow you, telling me you had work for me to do. It seems I am always trying to figure out exactly what work I am supposed to be doing, continually searching for that great purpose in the sky that will change the world. Is that what you want of me? I confess that while I am looking for that greater purpose, greater vision, there is a friend who needs a word of encouragement, a colleague who needs some help [...]

16 08, 2019

Where I Am Meant to Be, by Samuel Montano

Sally Penning2019-08-16T09:31:14-05:00August 16th, 2019|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|1 Comment

I grew up in St. Luke’s, but I only knew two people. Eventually, as I got involved in Sunday Sing (Thanks, Jane Long!) and later in Student Ministries and Pure Sound, I began to make more and more friends. These friendships helped me through some rough times. I had started to become resentful toward God and believed He didn't care about me at all. I started to harden my heart toward Him, and then I spoke up about it to my friends. They showed me God truly does love me. They stuck by me and loved me until [...]

16 08, 2019

A family where I belong

Sally Penning2019-08-16T09:27:29-05:00August 16th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER Ah, look at all the lonely people. Where do they all come from? Ah, look at all the lonely people. Where do they all belong? God, I think that is what you are saying so much of the time. Sometimes, even I, who have a marvelous family and incredible church family, think to myself "where do I belong?" It is at the core of the human condition, isn't it? From the moment we hid ourselves from you in the garden, loneliness set in. You said it was not good that we be alone, but then [...]

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