Rev. Christy Thomas: Sabbatical trip finds church ministering to younger crowd

From May through July, I shall use part of my sabbatical to visit various churches and record my experiences there.

Church Directory

Religion Calendar

Hundreds gather for annual prayer event

Hundreds gathered on the Courthouse on the Square lawn to pray for government leaders, the military, the media, businesses, educators, churches and families Thursday for the 61st annual National Day of Prayer. “I’m so excited to be a part of what God is doing in Denton and Denton County,” said Dorothy Smith, an event coordinator.

Rev. Christy Thomas: Jazz band apt metaphor for church in harmony

People of a certain age may recognize this song, “Leaving, on a Jet Plane” — and the mixed joy and sorrow it brings. Yes, I’ve left town — and on a jet plane, but just for three months. This long-planned sabbatical has been structured to give rest with time to heal, write and pray, plus spend time with my scattered family, whom I rarely get to see.

Religion Calendar

County unites for prayer

At noon Thursday, Denton County churches will join one another on the downtown Denton Square to pray for the nation.

Rev. Christy Thomas: Goodness shines through

It has been a strange week. Still in brain fog most of the time from the anesthesia of surgery, coupled with some fairly strong pain relievers, I found myself more physically still than I can ever remember.

Religion Calendar

Rev. Christy Thomas: Groundwork must be done to receive God’s perfect love

Last Friday, little robotic instruments nibbled their way through my abdomen, giving light, snipping and cauterizing while the physician manipulated them with 3D visual accuracy.

The Rev. Christy Thomas: In times of stress, listen to internal rational voice

Dear readers, thanks for all the prayers and offers of help as I go into this health journey. Below is a peek into the recesses of my brain.

Rev. Christy Thomas: The myth of closure

“The biopsy was inconclusive.” My reaction to these words showed me again how much I want certainty. But certainty was not to be. No closure, no absolute answer, no clear direction. I must make a decision with incomplete evidence — hardly a new experience in the scheme of human history.

Religion Calendar

Rev. Christy Thomas: The palms and the plot

So just why did people put down palm leaves when Jesus headed into Jerusalem that last time to celebrate the Passover? Quick answer: because palm fronds were readily available.

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Rev. Christy Thomas: In heaven as it is on earth

I wish I could get it across that what Jesus lived and taught has almost no relationship with the “hate-ianity” that masquerades as Christianity across the press, airways and religious institutions today.

Fundraiser to supportafter-school program

A silent auction is planned for March 31 to benefit the Fun Stop after-school program at First United Methodist Church of Denton.

‘Eggstravaganza’ packed with activities

The Church of Corinth has scheduled its 13th annual “Eggstravaganza” event from 2 to 5 p.m. April 7 at the Corinth Soccer Fields on Corinth Parkway.

Religion Calendar, March 23

Rev. Christy Thomas: I am rich, I am poor

“How can anyone get into heaven? It must be impossible!” That’s what Jesus’ disciples said to him after he had told a very rich young man that he had to give everything away in order to inherit eternal life.

Religion Calendar

Rev. Christy Thomas: ‘Anything but that’

The time leading to Easter has long been seen in many Christian traditions as the yearly opportunity to take a good, hard look at the state of our souls and ask the question, “Do I need a Savior?”

Rev. Christy Thomas: Accused pastor too quick to establish new church

Several weeks ago, I learned that a lawsuit had been filed against Tyrone Gordon, a gifted and respected pastor, against the church where he served, St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, and against the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, our connectional body, similar to a diocese or parish.

Religion Calendar

Rev. Christy Thomas: Bear with each other

A fight breaks out between two preschoolers. The parents or caregivers break up the fight and insist that the children tell each other they are sorry. On the rarest of occasions is there a sincere “I really am sorry I did that. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

Religion Calendar

Rev. Christy Thomas: Faithfulness, prayer our call

Luminous moments happen when all seems transformed by light. We cannot create, engineer or demand those moments, although I think the constant need for greater and greater entertainment stems from our desire to enter into that luminosity.

Rev. Christy Thomas: The doubting Thomas

Where would we be without doubts? Well, my last name wouldn’t be nearly so recognizable, for the otherwise obscure disciple of Jesus named “Thomas” only became famous because he doubted the resurrection.

Local church undergoes work

First United Methodist Church of Denton has begun renovation of its historic sanctuary, located on Locust Street just two blocks from the Square.

Rev. Christy Thomas: The least of these

Homelessness is not pretty.

Holding hands and shovels

When people of faith join together, laying aside theological differences, they spread more than just gravel — they also spread good will. Such was the case on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when the Denton Interfaith Alliance came together to work on the trails located at Lake Forest Park’s Wiggly Field.

Local church prepares cold-weather shelter

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church opened its doors to the city’s homeless last winter when midwinter temperatures dipped and the city saw several days of snow and ice.

Religion Calendar

SATURDAY

Rev. Christy Thomas: Further from the Father

Today we are going to take a cultural journey into the literature that comprises the Bible’s oldest books.

Religion Calendar

SUNDAY

Rev. Christy Thomas: Barely skimming the surface

Rev. Christy Thomas

ev. Christy Thomas: When the sheep stray

Big question: What’s with the exodus of high-schoolers and college-aged people from the church? How easy to blame distractions! Regardless, if the church actually offered something of substance and necessity, would they leave?

Religion Calendar

SATURDAY

Bigger crowd sought

Lico Reyes didn’t lose heart when his annual Epiphany Party for the poor and homeless saw a drop in attendance last January.

The Rev. Christy Thomas: The clean slate of a ‘do-over’

The Rev. Christy Thomas

The Rev. Jim Mann: Ghost of Christmas Future

EDITOR’S NOTE: This column is the third in a three-part series by Dr. Jim Mann on grieving during the holidays. The Rev. Jim Mann

Events

ONGOING

Ministry transforms sacks into sleeping mats for the homeless

Jennifer Balcirak considered making sleeping mats for the Denton homeless out of T-shirts, but plastic grocery bags are waterproof.

Festive feast draws a crowd

For members of the Singing Oaks Church of Christ in Denton, serving a Christmas lunch for those in need is about being a blessing — and receiving one in return.