Hugh Hollowell

Seeking the welfare of the city

Here in the US, we are in full-on political mode, some 90 days before election day. Your social media feeds, your television commercials, your neighbor’s yard signs – all politics, all the time. It can be a stressful season. I get people all the time who tell me they hate politics. But mostly, when peopleContinue reading “Seeking the welfare of the city”

To be, rather than to seem

We affirm that people of any race, ethnic identity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, economic status, or life situation are welcome, valued, and invited to full participation in the life of the congregation. That statement on the front page of our website was the result of more than a year’s discernment by our congregation. AsContinue reading “To be, rather than to seem”

Pride Month

“I have never heard of a Mennonite church that celebrates Pride month”, she said. I laughed. “Well, as a friend of mine once said, if you have been to one Mennonite church, you have been to one Mennonite church”. I recognize not many Mennonite churches celebrate Pride month. But not many of them celebrate BlackContinue reading “Pride Month”

The job of community

Over the last few weeks, I moved my home office into a new room. This meant that everything that was in the old office must be touched, sorted, and moved, which is a lovely time to decide if you want to keep it. Things also break when they are moved, or sometimes get lost. ThreeContinue reading “The job of community”

What are you looking for?

Long ago, there was a village, and at the gate of the village sat the village elder. He served as a sort of judge, settling disputes, hearing stories, and offering advice when asked. One morning, there was a large caravan heading their way. They saw the dust first, and then slowly across the desert theyContinue reading “What are you looking for?”

Mennonite with a Southern accent

In September, I was part of a tour hosted by Mennonite Central Committee Central States, where we spent time learning from the Mennonites in Oklahoma who are Cheyene. It was a lovely trip, and if we were sitting down across from each other, I would love to talk about it for ages. But the thingContinue reading “Mennonite with a Southern accent”