Mother's Day

Rev. Dr Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes and guest writer John Boe • May 8, 2023

Mothers' Love

A dear neighbor passed away recently and her son, John Boe, wrote this in tribute to her. With John's gracious permission, I share it here to help us all reflect on our love for our mothers.

–Carolyn

My lovely mother, Jane Quimby, passed away on March 29th. Those words still seem unreal to write. Her husband, Bruce Sabaini, and I stayed by her side until the end. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but she deserved our presence.

She was 77 years old, and had been vibrant and healthy until March 6th when she was diagnosed with metastatic & inoperable colon cancer. She chose to enter hospice care shortly after coming home (anyone who knew her would know that chemotherapy would have never been an option for her). We thought we would have a few good months, but unfortunately her disease progressed very rapidly. It’s still hard for me to believe that we celebrated our birthdays together (she always said I was her best birthday present ever) on February 18th and that she was bowling the week before going to the hospital.

As I have sat by her side or laid awake at night these past three weeks I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on many things:

No one will ever love you as unconditionally as your mother. No one will ever care about your accomplishments, your losses or sadness like your mother. You will never have a relationship like the one with your mother again. Cherish every moment you get. Answer the phone call, go on the lunch date, or just take a walk. Invite them to events, parties, and award ceremonies.Get off your phone and speak to them. Listen to their stories, even if you’ve heard them before. Eat the food they cook for you (if your lucky enough to have one that does this) and tell them how great it is. Don’t assume you will some day have the time with her to do all these things. Tomorrow is not promised.

Take pictures. Be in the pictures. I took so few of my mom and me over the last 20 years. When I think of all the times we were together and how few pictures I have… Be in pictures with your spouse, kids and friends too. If something happens to you tomorrow your family is not going to be looking for pictures of themselves.

My mother told me many times that she did not fear death. She was a strong Christian and was looking forward to seeing all of her friends and family again that preceded her in death. I know she found her way in to the Good Lord’s embrace yesterday.

ORDER OF SERVICE:

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Song: You Are the Sunshine of My Life Written and Recorded by Stevie Wonder

Sung today by Doran Nash

Message Part 1: Kids’ Moment - My Mother’s Chair by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

and LeaAnn Koekenberg

Candle Lighting and Universal Words of Welcome and Prayer

Christina Fidone

Song: Landslide Written by Stevie Nicks. Recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

Sung today by Julie Hackett

Message Part 2: Are You My Mother

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Message Part 3: Love You Forever

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Song: Mama, This One’s For You Written and Recorded by Beth Hart

Sung today by Whitney Carpenter

Benediction by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Learning from the Mystics: A Pure Heart

By Rev. Dr. Brenda Freije • August 18, 2026

What if Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” are not about who gets to see God someday, but an invitation to learn how to see God now? The great Christian mystics believed that the heart is more than the center of our emotions. It is an “organ of spiritual perception,” a way of seeing beneath the surface of things into the deeper reality of God’s presence. Richard Rohr says this is what mysticism is really about. Mystics are not spiritual elites who have strange or extraordinary experiences. They are people who have learned to go beneath the surface and discover the “connected core of reality.” The result is not simply a different experience of God; it is a different way of seeing everything. They begin to see grace in all things and the deep connections between all things—seeing a neighbor instead of a stranger, a human being instead of an enemy, sacred creation instead of commodities, connection instead of separation, and Divine Presence where we previously assumed God was absent. And that gives us perhaps the most important test of genuine mystical spirituality: Are we becoming more loving? The goal of contemplative practice is not extraordinary spiritual experiences. Its fruit is a growing capacity for compassion, generosity, freedom, and love—a different way of being in the world. Let's explore what Jesus might mean by a “pure heart,” what keeps us from seeing clearly, how learning from the mystics and their practices can help us awaken to a God who may be much closer than we realize, and how all of this might enable us to act in the world with greater peace, hope, and clarity.

Mother Love, Mother Loss

By Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW • August 10, 2026

The relationship we have with our mothers is one of the most meaningful in our lives. Sometimes sweet, sometimes difficult…or worse…but always full of complexity. And researchers have determined that this most significant of relationships actually begins in the womb. It’s the template where we first learn about love, whether we were fortunate to have loving mothers, or mothers who sadly were unable to love us as we needed and deserved. This primal, intense relationship continues throughout our lives, influencing and shaping who we become and how we relate to others as we journey through on our own paths. Is it any wonder then that the death of our mothers is one of the most impactful losses that we will experience? And yet, even after her death, it’s possible to have a continuing conversation and relationship with her…with her gifts and her flaws…that allows for connection and the possibility of repair and forgiveness. This Sunday, please join us as we explore the joys, sorrows, and possibilities of the eternal bond between mother and child. Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW, brings 37 years of clinical social work experience, including work in end-of-life care and advanced bereavement training. She specializes in grief in all its forms. Joy returns to The Garden on Thursday, September 3 for Debunking the Myths of Grief.

It's All Fun & Games

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • August 4, 2026

On the Importance of Play

Joyspan

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 29, 2026

Sometimes, joy is the last thing on the list. Bills pile up, plans fall through, the news doesn't help — and "just be joyful" can start to feel like one more thing at which we're failing. This Sunday, we're taking a closer look at joy. We're not interested in the fake-it-till-you-make-it or the just-look-on-the-bright-side kind, but something sturdier. Nehemiah 8:10 puts it simply: the joy of the Lord is our strength. It is not a mood, and it is not a performance, but a strength we can lean on. It isn't a denial of pain, sorrow, or other distress, but may offer a path through. Dr. Kerry Burnight makes a related case in her recent book Joyspan — that a good life has less to do with how long we live than with how much joy we let ourselves experience along the way. Join us Sunday as we explore Joy, and what can happen when we open ourselves to it no matter our circumstances.

The Art of Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 21, 2026

How does a community fight loneliness? We'll explore our grant-funded work, what's working, and how it echoes the community-building ministry.

The Fine Print: The Bible

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 13, 2026

As a sacred and revered text, the Bible exerts tremendous influence on our lives. Notwithstanding our constitutional separation of church and state, its impact reverberates through our politics, morality, and spirituality. Yet, while widely respected and treasured, the Bible’s influence—or rather, its interpretation by those with power and resources and the desire to make other people live by their beliefs—has been leveraged to justify slavery, vilify LGBTQ+ people, elevate men over women, and divide rather than unite. This week, we will slow down to look past those historical misuses. Instead, we’ll dig directly into the timeless truths and teachings within the Bible that offer guidance for our faith and inspiration for our daily choices.

Adventures with Moses Day 3

By Lea Ann Koekenberg • July 11, 2026

God Provides, God Protects, God Leads

The Fine Print: The U.S. Constitution

July 6, 2026

Explore the U.S. Constitution's relevance today. Join us for insights on its principles & impact on society.

The Fine Print: The Declaration of Independence

June 29, 2026

We often hear the phrase, "Make sure you read the fine print," as we navigate the complexities of daily life. Whether it's the Constitution, the Bible, or even the manual for our computers, there's a wealth of fine print that tends to be skimmed over, misinterpreted, or entirely overlooked. Yet these details often hold the key to understanding the bigger picture and guiding us through life's challenges. This week, we're excited to launch a three-week series titled "The Fine Print." Over the next few Sundays, we'll take a closer look at some of the most important documents that shape our lives and values. Week 1: We'll explore The Declaration of Independence—a powerful statement of freedom and the rights of individuals that still resonates today. Week 2: Our focus shifts to The Constitution, examining its vital principles and how they continue to influence our society. Week 3: We'll conclude with a deep dive into The Bible, uncovering the profound truths and teachings that guide our faith and actions. Each message will stand on its own, so if you happen to miss one, rest assured you can still enjoy and engage with the others — though we'd love to have you for the whole series. Join us this Sunday for The Fine Print—a journey that promises to deepen our understanding and appreciation of these foundational texts. Together, we'll discover how the details within these documents can illuminate our paths and enrich our lives. You won't want to miss it!

Blessed to Give

June 23, 2026

We have often heard the words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The phrase is so well-known that many people don't even realize it is found in the Bible (Acts 20:35). So, is it just a cliché, or does God truly do something in the heart of a giving person—something that blesses both them and the world in which they live? Research shows that this is no mere platitude. Our brains respond to generosity by triggering a significant positive feedback loop when we practice, receive, or even simply witness giving in action. In a 2008 study, researchers found that people who spent money on others reported a notably higher uptick in happiness than those who spent it on themselves. Interestingly, this difference had nothing to do with how much they spent, but rather the direction of their spending. Giving really does benefit everyone—the giver, the receiver, and the witness—and the effect ripples outward. And it’s not just about monetary gifts, but also gifts of kindness and service. What we do, and how we give, truly matters. Join us Sunday as we explore how God turns giving into the blessing of receiving.