Our stories

My parents grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, and they both came from Christian families. For them, church was one of the only activities outside of school. On Sundays, they went to church in the morning, had Sunday school right after the morning service, and went to church again in the evening. One day a week after school, they went to church for catechism class, which was another hour or two. My dad also took piano lessons during the week, but my mom’s parents were small busin

We mostly worship in the morning these days. So in the early evening in the deep midwinter of Michigan the sun does not shine through the stained glass windows and the sanctuary looks dim. The parishioners shuffle in a column to the front where two pastors stand holding small bowls. The clergy dip a finger in water then in ash to draw a cross on each forehead, softly naming each person and murmuring, “consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” It is a so

What’s in a game? Skill, luck, competition—sometimes winners and losers. But all the participants at Calvin’s annual Game Day had fun beating the midwinter blahs! All ages warmed up their winter with hot games like mini-golf and axe throwing. Crushed the cold with s’mores, cocoa, and popcorn. Combated cabin fever with crafts like making slime or a braided bracelet. And blasted the blahs with board games. If you missed it, Game Day will be back next year. In the meanwhile, loo

“I am an immigrant.” As I write this statement at the beginning of 2026, in the United States of America, I wonder if this could be a dangerous statement to make. Not only am I an immigrant to the U.S., I was also an immigrant to Canada in 1954, coming as a 4-year-old with my family from the Netherlands. I guess that makes me a double  immigrant! Nonetheless it is a title that I bear proudly and with a deep understanding of what it means to leave behind one life and enter a n

On an overcast and chilly Sunday in January about 75 people gathered to visit with friends and neighbors and share a rib-stickingly good meal.  Food contributions to the potluck buffet did not disappoint!  The contributions were varied and creative and oh so delicious.  Additionally, we were blessed by storyteller Ray Dill who shared heartwarming vignettes from his childhood and words of encouragement to help us identify and embrace our own stories and strengths, and, most im

Since starting my career approximately 40 years ago, I have flown over 1 million miles. Delta Airlines tracks such things… other airlines do as well. (I have a close friend that led international business of his employer for many years of his career. I believe his number approaches 3 million miles!) Mostly, these trips have been for business. Lately, as my wife and I start our next phase of life, they are for pleasure and recreation. After all those trips, many smooth and une