Entries by Kevin Ireland

Grief, Grace, and the Gift of Being Present

On Thursday morning we learned that we lost two beloved members of our congregation, Bill Wynne and Susan Kensill. In the midst of the flurry of church activities, I was blessed with a message on WhatsApp from Liset Amador, a member of the congregation in Placetas, Cuba. She wrote: We live our lives constantly rushing—from […]

A Song Still Rising

Exodus 15:20-21, Acts 16:25-24 Singing still opens prison doors. In 1995 choral conductor Elvera Voth started the East Hills Singers in the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas. Sponsored by the nonprofit organization Arts in Prison, the program brought together incarcerated men and professional singers to rehearse and perform together. Many of the inmates had […]

Rooted in Christ, Growing in Grace

During the time before I was called as your pastor, Grace Presbyterian engaged in meaningful listening through Town Halls and the strategic planning process. As I was discerning whether God might be calling me to serve alongside you, I was deeply encouraged by the thoughtful and faithful work that had already been done. It was […]

Gardener of Grace

John 20:1-18 While it is still dark Mary goes to the tomb. She sees that the stone has been removed, and she runs to tell Peter and the other disciple. They run to the tomb. They look in. And in one of the most understated lines in all of scripture, we are told that “they […]

Why is Good Friday Good?

Dear Grace family, Today the church gathers at the cross. And at first glance, calling this day Good may seem strange. Good Friday tells the story of betrayal, suffering, violence, and death. It invites us to slow down and confront the deep brokenness of the world — and the brokenness within ourselves. It asks us […]