The Gentle Power of Good Neighbors

Betty Brandt • July 21, 2025

Appreciating Kindness Right Next Door

I live across the street from Morrie Dock, a retired pharmacist, married to Barb Bixler. He’s a friendly guy who loves to chat. When new people move into the neighborhood, he brings them challah bread and gefilte fish as a welcoming gift.


At the other end of the block lives Ruth Hayes, the dominant force in the Nora Community Council for years. She was both loved and feared for her fierce determination to keep Nora free of billboards and high-rise buildings. Ruth is now a widow in her late 80s. Sometimes I see her with her walker out for a stroll down Pennsylvania Street.


Weeks ago, as I drove by her house, I saw Ruth struggling to bend over with her walker to pick up her newspaper (yes, some of us are still hanging on to the paper copies of the Star delivered to our houses). Later that day, I mentioned to Morrie that Ruth was having some trouble getting around.


The next day, as I was driving north on Pennsylvania, I saw Morrie walking toward me, so I stopped to chat. Turns out Morrie had decided to walk down to Ruth’s every day and place her paper on her doorstep. (Morrie gets a paper too, so he knows when it’s delivered.)


A week or so went by, and my paper started showing up on my doorstep. I knew immediately that Morrie was delivering to me too. On my morning walks, I’ve also seen him delivering papers on Washington Boulevard.


Morrie is my hero!


Three houses south of my house lives Sam LeStourgeon, a retired salesman, married to Karen. He’s devoted to Scouting and has positively influenced hundreds of young men. He’s a friendly guy too—another one of my chatty neighbors!


One day, as I was driving to church, I thought I saw Sam working in the median east of North Central on 86th Street. I texted him to ask if that was him. Turns out Sam “watches over” all the medians on 86th Street from St. Vincent Hospital to Keystone.


He drives his riding mower north on Pennsylvania and mows the two medians on 86th Street closest to Pennsylvania. The other medians he trims, weeds, sprays, and pesters the city to come mow. Some of the medians are “sponsored,” and he’s working to get sponsors for the rest. He even set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the job. He told me he gave up his gym membership because he gets all the workout he can stand doing the medians.


Sam is my hero!


I’m blessed to know these two wonderful men. If I were ever in trouble, I’m certain I could pick up the phone and they would come running. Our neighborhood is fortunate because Morrie and Sam live among us. They are our neighborhood’s unsung heroes!

Addressing Hunger with the Power of the Pen

By Mike Ransom • May 19, 2026
Hunger is Rising — and God Calls Us to Respond

The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 19, 2026
We All Lose Sometimes

The Power of the Pen

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 12, 2026
On Sunday we will participate in our annual Bread for the World letter campaign and be reminded of “the Power of the Pen.” It is a time each year when we acknowledge we live in a world where there is more than enough for all to eat. We acknowledge Hunger is a policy choice, not an inevitability. In a season of division in our country followers of Jesus are called to put pen to paper. It is a season when we are reminded Jesus commands us, not just to "pray for the poor," but to be God's hands and feet, taking action to ensure the needy are fed. In a democratic society, the "pen"—our letters, emails, and phone calls to legislators—is a tangible, effective tool for justice, turning compassion into public policy. Join us Sunday as we welcome representatives from Bread for the World and share in The Power of the Pen.

Welcome to Mothering Sunday

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 5, 2026
This weekend, we invite you to return to your mother church, The Garden, as we celebrate the beautiful tradition of Mothering Sunday! Originating in England on the fourth Sunday of Lent, this special day has deep roots stretching back to the 16th century when families would gather at their "mother church" for a communal service. Over the years, it blossomed into a joyous occasion where children express their love through gifts, flowers, and heartfelt cards for their mothers. Today, Mothering Sunday reminds us not only to honor our mothers and mother figures but also to cherish the nurturing spirit within our community. Let us come together to acknowledge the love, support, and guidance that shapes our lives.  Join us as we celebrate the vital role of mothering in our journeys and how each of us is called to nurture one another. Don’t miss this heartfelt service filled with reflection, love, and connection!

Home, Sweet Home

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 28, 2026
Creating Space for Spirit, Connection, and Grace

Whichever Way You Turn, There is the Face of God

By Betty Brandt • April 24, 2026
Betty Brandt explores moving beyond traditional hymns toward a spirituality rooted in peace, love, and shared sacred wisdom.

We Are Family

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 21, 2026
Have you ever heard the phrase “blood is thicker than water”? Many people assume it comes from the Bible and refers to the strength of our biological family ties. But what if there’s more to it than we’ve been led to believe? This Sunday, we’ll explore the surprising origins of this saying and what it really invites us to consider. We’ll also welcome our Big Give recipient, Safe Families for Children , as we reflect on what it means to be family in the deepest sense. Together, we’ll take a fresh look at another timeless idea: “It takes a village.” Who makes up our village, and how do we create communities of love, comfort, and safety? Join us Sunday for "We Are Family" as we explore the meaning of belonging, connection, and the families we form along the way.

Seeds of Hope

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 14, 2026
This Sunday at The Garden, we celebrated creation and explore the profound connection we share with our planet. We looked at the text from Genesis where humanity is called to have dominion over creation. We considered what that means to claim this responsibility and duty to care for and protect creation. Together, let's uncover how our faith compels us to be stewards of creation.

Peace I Leave With You

April 7, 2026
What Does It Mean to Work for Peace?

Easter Sunday | Choose to Belong

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • March 31, 2026
This Sunday we conclude our Lenten series with a heartfelt message, “Choose to Belong.” We’ll celebrate Easter—both as a remembrance of the resurrection and as a celebration of new beginnings, including welcoming new Gardner members into our inclusive community. Easter's beautiful expression of love and hope represents a tradition that calls us to notice the ways love rises again in our lives, dispelling darkness. Whether you interpret the resurrection story literally or embrace it as a metaphor of love overcoming despair, there is a place for you here. This weekend we’ll explore what it means to belong, and how our faith deepens through our connections with one another and with the sacred. Come experience the joy of community and discover how we can embody the transformative love of Christ together. Join us as we celebrate this meaningful day. Let’s embrace new beginnings and growth as one community. We can’t wait to see you.