Meditation on John 14 and Revelation 21 In Memory of Jamella Charlene Carr Farley June 11, 1943 – September 5, 2024 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Karen Crawford Sept. 7, 2024 Jamella was 18 when Jim proposed to her on the Empire State Building. She had been raised in Catholic school and had graduatedContinue reading “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”
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To Hope and Act with Creation
Meditation on James 1:17–27 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Aug. 27, 2024 I have begun my interviews for my doctoral project! It is so fun to hear your stories and see your gardens. I am learning a great deal from my fellow gardeners! The conversation invariably turns to some of our challengesContinue reading “To Hope and Act with Creation”
Prayer Garden Ministry
First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Aug. 25, 2024 One of our gardeners, Betsy, drove me to meet Sister Mary Lou Buser at her garden ministry in Brentwood a little more than a week ago. She was an “expert” interview as part of my doctoral research on the spirituality of gardening. IContinue reading “Prayer Garden Ministry”
New Ways for the Beloved Children of God
Meditation on Ephesians 4:25—5:2 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Aug. 11, 2024 Just got back from my trip to Denver to see my son, Jacob, on Friday night. My plane was delayed. Then we flew through storms that made my flight kind of like an amusement park ride that you wishedContinue reading “New Ways for the Beloved Children of God”
“Give Us This Bread Always”
Meditation on John 6:24–35 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Aug. 4, 2024 I am getting ready to leave town for a few days to see my son in Colorado. My husband, Jim, will be taking care of my important daily chores while I am away—watering plants and feeding and watering myContinue reading ““Give Us This Bread Always””
“Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”
Meditation on John 6:1-15 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY July 28, 2024 “A shoe factory sends two marketing scouts to a region of Africa to study the prospects for expanding business. One sends back a telegram saying, “SITUATION HOPELESS STOP NO ONE WEARS SHOES “The other writes back triumphantly, “GLORIOUS BUSINESSContinue reading ““Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?””
Is Not This the Carpenter?
Meditation on Mark 6:1–13 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford July 7, 2024 (art by stushie, used with permission) I had this funny thought yesterday. What if I had stayed in York, Pennsylvania, and never accepted that first call to ministry in rural Minnesota? My ministry journey would have been completely changed.Continue reading “Is Not This the Carpenter?”
Living in the Calm
Meditation on Mark 4:35–41 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford June 30, 2024 What are you afraid of? What started out as a lighthearted conversation stirred some more serious thoughts later. Jim was picking up a bug with a napkin under the kitchen table yesterday—a bug that our cat, Liam, happened to beContinue reading “Living in the Calm”
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Sunday School
Meditation on Matthew 7:24-29 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford June 23, 2024 Sunday School Recognition Day Some years ago, Robert Fulghum had a best-selling book called, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Does anyone remember that book? I found a list of things he said that heContinue reading “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Sunday School”
Seed, Scattered and Sown
Message on Mark 4:26-34 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford June 16, 2024 I was happy to hear that everything went well with the gifts of children’s clothing and baby wipes and diapers at Smithtown’s homeless shelter while I was away. Thank you to all who gave these gifts for families in need,Continue reading “Seed, Scattered and Sown”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 