March 2026
CALENDAR
March 1 Holy Communion
March 8 Noisy Offering for Habitat;
March 15 UMCOR Sunday
March 29 Palm Sunday Parish Wide Joint Worship Service
10:00 AM at Central Valley UMC
April 2 Maundy Thursday Worship Service
6:00 PM at Hudson Highlands UMC
April 3 Good Friday Worship Service
6:00 PM at Vail’s Gate UMC
April 5 Easter Sunday
Missions
During March, we will collect items for the Newburgh Ministry. Items include: coffee, tea bags, sugar packets, creamers, as well as blankets, pillows, etc. Monetary donations are also accepted.
From the pastor
HOLY MOUNTAIN
I invite you to contemplate the concept of “mountain” and its significance within the practice of Christian spirituality. Recently, the Christian church(es) observed Transfiguration Sunday. The synoptic Gospels document the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus invited his three disciples, Peter, James, and John, to engage in prayer as a spiritual discipline. He specifically called upon these disciples to pray with Him on the mountain. One purpose of Jesus and the disciples ascending the mountain was to avoid distractions, thereby enabling their focus on this sacred moment.
My reflections underscore the significance of nurturing our faith to foster a deeper and more enriched spiritual life. The Bible, encompassing both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, emphasizes the importance of mountains within the practice of faith and daily life. Followers of God have historically regarded mountains as sacred sites, believing that these elevated locations reach towards the heavens and touch the sky. The Hebrews held that mountains served as dwellings of God. Consequently, mountains are considered holy because they serve as sacred sites where individuals can encounter the divine; additionally, they are venerated as sacred because God’s presence is discernible there. One notable instance is Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Horeb, where God manifested through the burning bush. God instructed Moses to remove his shoes, as the place where he stood was consecrated. The Israelites, through King Solomon, constructed the Temple on Mount Zion, believing it to be holy and a place where God’s presence could be experienced. Biblical records affirm that mountains are revered as sacred.
As the disciples assembled with Jesus for prayer on the mountain, they encountered an awe-inspiring and supernatural event that strengthened their faith as they followed Him. During their prayer, Jesus underwent transfiguration. His appearance was altered: His face shone like the sun, and His garments became radiant white. Additionally, they observed Jesus conversing with Moses, emblematic of the Law, and Elijah, representing the Prophets. Moved by awe and perplexity, Peter declared to Jesus, “to build three shelters: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”. Peter recognized that this experience was sacred and blessed. The mountain was an experience as a holy moment. A cloud overshadowed them, and they heard a voice affirming that Jesus was God’s beloved Son. Jesus’ transfiguration served as proof of His identity as the Messiah. The disciples experienced the divine presence while praying on the mountain.
My reflections highlight the significance of prayer as a sacred moment to experience divine presence. There is no need to physically ascend mountains today; rather, “mountains” now serve as metaphors for places where we can dedicate time to prayer as a spiritual discipline. Any place where prayer is performed becomes a holy site, a mountain of faith, where one can encounter the presence of the holy God, who sanctifies and makes all things holy.
Blessings,
Pastor Willie