The first-ever Reformation Conference hosted by Christ URC in Santee, CA, drew an astounding number of first-time visitors. Of the approximately 130 attendees, more than 60 were not church members. “The idea behind the conference was to provide San Diego with an opportunity to be introduced to the Reformation and Reformed theology,” explains Rev. Michael … Continue reading URC in Santee reaches out with Reformation teaching
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The Bredenhof cousins: Going to minister down under
How often do two pastors, serving the same denomination in the same country, accept calls to churches in a different denomination and country (but the same for both men) within days of each other? That scenario seems even more unlikely if the two pastors are first cousins—with the same last name. In God’s providence, that’s … Continue reading The Bredenhof cousins: Going to minister down under
Self-publishing: making arrangements
Sometimes making arrangements for a trip can be frustrating. Aunt Martha only receives visitors between 10:00 and 11:00 in the morning. But that's exactly when the presentation you really want to see at the museum is showing. Trying to make arrangements so all the details fall into place may make you wonder if the trip is worth … Continue reading Self-publishing: making arrangements
Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
When Classis Central US of the URCNA convened on September 15, 2014, the primary item on the agenda was the colloquium doctum of Rev. Ken Anema, who served Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI, for almost 21 years and recently began teaching inmates through Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary. A requirement for that … Continue reading Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
Birth of a Book
I'm excited to share this first blog look at the cover of my newest novel, Matthew Makes Strides, which will be released soon. The wonderful artwork by Ken Raney captures the emotion of this intense moment. Matthew Makes Strides is the second novel of my Matthew in the Middle series for middle grade readers. Book 1, Matthew Muddles Through, is … Continue reading Birth of a Book
Extraordinary Endorsement
It's a wonderful Wednesday because I just received this extraordinary endorsement for my upcoming middle reader novel, Matthew Makes Strides: Glenda Mathes writes with energy and intentionality. When she writes about a coming tornado, it feels so real, I start glancing nervously out the window. Young people will feel like the author knows them, is inside their … Continue reading Extraordinary Endorsement
Waterdown’s Living Hope URC: Building a church from the outside in
Over 80 people attended the first service of Living Hope United Reformed Church in Waterdown, ON, on September 14, 2014. The new venture is a daughter church under the authority of Living Water Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brantford, ON. Living Water’s minister, Rev. Greg Bylsma, preached at the first service from Matthew 11:28-30 on “The … Continue reading Waterdown’s Living Hope URC: Building a church from the outside in
Matthew two, too
Soon, very soon I hope, the second novel in my Matthew in the Middle series will be available. The first novel, Matthew Muddles Through, is already available on Amazon. In this story, readers meet Matthew and his family, which includes a dad who's a minister, a mom who's sick all the time, an older brother who … Continue reading Matthew two, too
Trinity Reformed of Cape Coral: Florida URC’s ebb and flow
Nestled among the popular beaches and tourist attractions of southern Florida, sits one of the most isolated churches in the URCNA. Trinity Reformed Church in Cape Coral is almost 900 miles and over 13 hours from its nearest URC neighbor (Covenant URC in Pantego, NC). Located near many vacation destinations, it receives numerous visitors but … Continue reading Trinity Reformed of Cape Coral: Florida URC’s ebb and flow
God over all the earth, Psalm 65
How was your Sunday? Did you enjoy it as a "festive day of rest"? Festive rest may seem like an oxymoron, but that's the wonderful way the Heidelberg Catechism describes Sunday in its comprehensive answer explaining God's will for us in the fourth commandment (Lord's Day 38, Q&A 103). My devotional A Month of Sundays: 31 Meditations on … Continue reading God over all the earth, Psalm 65
Glenda Faye Mathes 