June for Joy.
No Mountains in the Way
Years ago a book of photographs appeared entitled No Mountains in the Way. It is/was a book all about Kansas and pictured the beautiful flat lands where one can see for miles with no mountains to block the view. Areas are rung in beauty for those who look. Just look at our beautiful Michigan. That same beauty is true of our daily lives —that is if we can keep the view free.
Every time we make mountains out of molehills, we block the view of all the beautiful things in our lives and homes. Molehill mountains have that magical power to blind us as they stand in the way. Take any one of your average molehills: the neighbors annoying pet, a visit by a not-so-favored relative, kids bringing dirt on the floor, loud music, and maybe something as simple as my friend didn’t remember a birthday. Molehills come in ten thousand shapes and colors, and with a little attention and nurturing, one can become a Pike’s Peak in no time at all. AI and Plastic for this writer!
Whenever that happens to us, we lose our view of what is wonderful in life. Because it bothers us that the person next to us in church sings flat, we lose an opportunity for communion with the Beloved. Distress at mud on the rug or an overlooked hug can drain the day of happiness and paint our world a dishwater gray.
Molehills are unnatural mountains since they are filled with the hot air of irritability. As soon as we see one “on the rise,” we should puncture it with a laugh, a prayer or just plain good common sense. While mutual consideration for needs and preferences is important in living together, i.e. one who plays their music or the TV too loudly. Just remember the most important things in life are invisible. The name of that book could make a really good tombstone marker: “Here lies a person who lived with no mountains in the way.”
Are you one of those who goes by a church and reads what their sign reads? Once in a while take a gander and see if the sign resonates with you.
Messages I have appreciated include: “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open.”
“Those who deny liberty to others deserve it not for themselves.”
“It’s much easier to become a father than to be one.”
Each Father’s Day I reflect and give thanks not only for my Dad but also for the Father of my kids. No perfection in either! You have heard it said that many are attracted to someone like a parent and so it is. Both in my life could give a hundred percent to someone in their presence; both would give you their last dollar if you needed it; both could make me laugh; both could tell a long and drawn out story.
A father is called by many titles: “Father” “Pa,” “Pop,” “PaPa,“ with the accent on the first syllable, or if he is a reformer in society — “PaPa” with the accent on the last syllable; and if a genuine pal to his children—“Daddy.” No matter, celebrate all Dad’s this month and give thanks.
Pastor KatieD+
Morning Reflections
Thursday, 2026 June 11th Reflection - 2nd after Pentecost/Mt 9:9-13, 18-26
On June 7, I shared about Abraham's call, and on June 14, it will be about Sarah's laugh. I know some prefer to hear about the Gospel so that is attached about the June 7 Gospel. I audio so you can be doing whatever as you listen. Pastor Katie
Saturday, 2026 May 23 - Memorial Day Greeting
Thursday Hello, 2026 May 7 Reflection
I have been reading the Psalms this week and something has jumped out at me as never before. Many of the psalms view the past and the present with very differing thoughts. The present is seen as a cup half full, and often times much worse, questioning God’s lack of concern and action. However memories of the past focus upon the faithfulness of God, his acts of deliverance and consistent love. I guess people today complaining about the present and talking about “the good old days” is nothing new.
This got me back to thinking about some “good old days” stories, stories that I have a feeling my grandchildren will never understand. I personally doubt that they will ever hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker, and it just may be that this term will never even be in their vocabulary. However, I have many personal, first-hand stories that I can tell. This makes me thing of Dotti Ferenchak and Lois Mooney.
Great memories … fun stories (and, yes, they are true) … but not something I would do today, nor something I hope my granddaughter would ever do.
Today there are many evil and dangerous people in our world. And the evil and danger we see is not just found in the stranger offering a young person a ride. We can look at the civil unrest, wars, and threats that persist world-wide. We can talk about gas prices, inflation, and how the rich seem to get richer while the poor get poorer. And our nation is so polarized politically, with each side seeming to see good and evil in opposing ways. It is easy to see the present as a cup half full, and often times much worse, while we question God’s lack of concern and action (and, in this day and age, if there even is a God).
However there is also great good in our present day. In spite of inflation, the people I know are traveling, recreating, and vacationing as never before. We hear of great medical advancements on almost a daily basis (Just yesterday morning my cardiologist told me that a test I had to get at Beaumont 9 years ago I can get virtually anywhere now … and what used to be high-risk surgeries often today are same-day procedures). And who of us can ever even hope to keep up with new technological advancements?
What I am basically talking about is the message of Holy Week and Easter (believe it or not). The world looked mighty bleak as the sun set on Good Friday (I think most, if not all, of our Lord’s followers viewed their cup as empty – nowhere even close to half full). But Easter changed everything. The empty cup was suddenly overflowing.
As it states in the hymn we are singing in my home visits this month, “Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Trumpets resounding in glorious light! Heaven forever! Oh, what a miracle God has in sight! Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!”
So here is today’s “Easter Promise”: “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73.21-26) It is amazing how looking back at the promises and actions of our God can change our view of the present and transform our hope for the future!
A Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! We pray in a special way for our own mothers, living and deceased… and for all my readers who are mothers. May God give all mothers strength, courage, patience, wisdom, joy, and great love as they serve their families and the family of God! KatieD+
Tuesday, April 21: We live in a society that purports that to have it all you need money, clothes, houses, food, cars and education, all the toys of the modern world. But are the people who have those things happy? And if not, what’s missing? What would you need to make you really happy?
Pastor's Reports to Council
Four Week Bible Study
Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures
Week 1:
- YouTube discussion
- Handout: Names of God
Week 2:
Week 3:
Pastor Katie’s Office Hours and Pastoral Care
If Pastor Katie is not in the office when you need pastoral care, please know that Pastor Katie is always glad to take your call or to arrange a day and time to meet with you.
Cell number: 586-202-8644
Home phone: 586-716-9543
Email: daileystory@gmail.com.
You can also call the office at 586-727-3155 and leave a message with Helen or on the answering machine. In the old days, hospitals and rehab/nursing facilities used to inform pastors when one of their flock was admitted. That doesn’t happen anymore, so please feel free to give us a call when needed.
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor
E-Mail: daileystory@gmail.com
Phone: CELL: 586-202-8644
Office hours:Pastor Katie is available before worship on Sundays from 9 - 10 am and then again
after worship from 11 am - 1 pm. She is also in on Wednesdays from 10 am until 2 pm.
OFFICE: 586-727-3155
Church E-Mail: firstunitedcc@outlook.com
OFFICE HOURS:
The secretary is in the office on Tuesdays, 8:30 am —12 noon and Fridays 8:30 am till 1 pm. If you need additional assistance at other times, please send Helen an email at firstunitedcc@outlook.com or leave a phone message at the church office: 586-727-3155.
Thank you.