Michael Readinger

Be Open!

By Michael Readinger | May 14, 2020

Are you ready to re-open? Whether you are or not, my advice to you is to Be Open to whatever possibilities there might be. As we move to the next phase of our response to the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has cast on our world, I invite you to: Be Open to an understanding…

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Keep the Faith

By Michael Readinger | April 13, 2020

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1 The principle of trusting that what you cannot see will happen is at the center of having faith. At no period in my lifetime have I ever experienced a greater need for faith — or, for the hope…

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Thank You, Church!

By Michael Readinger | March 12, 2020

Those of us who were together in Memphis have now returned from the 82nd CHHSM Annual Gathering. While it is good to be back home, I feel a sense of longing for the spirit of “Justice and Grace — Together” that was so pervasive during our time together last week. For that, I want to…

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I Can See Clearly Now

By Michael Readinger | February 13, 2020

It’s the year 2020 and I just could not resist using the above title for my column this month. Yes, 20/20 vision implies that one has the ability to see clearly. That is what one might hope for and aspire to, but this column is actually about something else. Instead of looking at things as…

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Serving Leadership

By Michael Readinger | January 13, 2020

There are so many great Serving Leadership quotes out in the world of our religious, spiritual and lay texts. They are all inspirational in their own ways. You may have noticed that each issue of Diakonie has a featured quote from someone in the CHHSM family. We recently requested more of these reflections on leadership…

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Life is a Gift

By Michael Readinger | December 10, 2019

As we progress through Advent and enter the Christmas season, let’s focus on all the gifts that life, living and love bring instead of thinking about the gifts we may give and receive. These gifts cannot be bought, put in a box, wrapped and given. These gifts are beautiful presents with far greater meaning and…

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Give Thanks! Every Day

By Michael Readinger | November 15, 2019

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am moved to express gratitude for all the good that has been happening in my world. Granted, life is not perfect and many things in our society need to be healed/fixed/corrected/abolished. But, being grateful and expressing gratitude are known to make everyone feel better. A five-minute-a-day gratitude journal can…

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Autumn Harvest

By Michael Readinger | October 11, 2019

As summer slowly gives way to autumn (it’s in the 90s on October 1!), the CHHSM Board and staff are harvesting much of the work that has been in process for the last several months. It has been a busy and exciting season of planting and tending to the fruits of our labors. First and…

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From Resolution to Resolve

By Michael Readinger | September 13, 2019

The lack of affordable housing (2013), gun violence as a health issue (2017), the opioid crisis (2019). All of these are critical issues that the CHHSM Board, membership and staff have addressed via the UCC General Synod resolution process. Well, it is time to put the pedal to the metal, to walk the talk, and…

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Never Forget that You are Amazing

By Michael Readinger | August 16, 2019

An open pastoral letter to those seeking employment, to those seeking degrees, to those in discernment mode, to those seeking a path to fulfill their vocation and call and to anyone else looking to make a change in their lives: Never forget that you are amazing!  Let me tell you why . . . In…

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