From the Pastor - February 15,2026

A few years back, Sue and I both read a book by author

Bill Bryson named "A Walk in the Woods" which recounted

his and a friend's adventure hiking the Appalachian

Trail. When we moved here to Virginia, Sue wanted to visit

McAfee's Knob, located on the trail and featured in the

book. She asked me to accompany her and I inquired if she

had arranged for me to be helicoptered in. So she talked

Todd into accompanying her. She accomplished her goal

but on the way back, they found themselves rushing to beat

a summer thunderstorm. That was when she tripped and

fractured her leg. Highs and lows! She recounted a

wonderful view from the top and then experienced a six

week recovery from her injury.

This Sunday, we experience some disciples in their own

highs and lows. Transfiguration is a bridge between the

Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close

today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days.

On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved

Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory

sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in

Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our

yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some

churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s

liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential

season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

May God bless each of you!

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