Pride doesn't usually announce itself. It whispers. It disguises itself as competence, as standards, as knowing better. And while we're busy protecting our position, the door closes to genuine community, growth, and the kind of fresh start that actually matters.
This Sunday we continue our Fresh Start series with one of the oldest pieces of Christian writing we have: the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2. Paul shows us a Jesus who had every right to cling to power and chose to empty himself instead. That word, kenosis, means "to pour out." The path down turns out to be the path forward. It is also Native American Ministries Sunday. Our special offering supports Native American communities across our United Methodist connection, including scholarships for Native seminary students, leadership development, and ministries led by indigenous people themselves.
