“A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that’s unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein – Culture and Value by Pastor Donnie BrooksMarcellus United … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: “A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that’s unlocked and opens inwards;’
Have Questions? Ask a Pastor – October 16, 2025
Pastor Donnie Brooks of the Marcellus United Methodist Church answers your questions at pastordonnieb@outlook.com Pastor Donnie, is “Christian nationalism” Christian?Part I It was difficult to find a good formulation of … [Read more...] about Have Questions? Ask a Pastor – October 16, 2025
Contemplation Corner: For some reason we think that in order to move forward there must be so much light . . . “
“For some reason we think that in order to move forward there must be so much light that we see the road ahead of us is lit up for miles and miles ahead. This happens only very rarely. Thankfully, it is not necessary to see so far ahead … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: For some reason we think that in order to move forward there must be so much light . . . “
Contemplation Corner: “When men are merely submerged in a mass of impersonal human beings . . .”
“When men are merely submerged in a mass of impersonal human beings pushed around by automatic forces, they lose their true humanity, their integrity, their ability to love, their capacity for self-determination. When society is made up of … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: “When men are merely submerged in a mass of impersonal human beings . . .”
“Life’s Big Questions: Ask a Pastor”
Why talk to a chatbot when you can ask a human beingand share the answer with others? Ever had a question about a certain doctrine or about a certain belief? Pastor Donnie of the Marcellus United Methodist Church will explore, … [Read more...] about “Life’s Big Questions: Ask a Pastor”
Contemplation Corner: “Authentic love. . . “
“Authentic love must be founded on reciprocal recognition of two freedoms.” -Simone De Beauvoir by Pastor Donnie BrooksMarcellus United Methodist Churchpastordonnieb@outlook.com An odd choice you might say for a “Contemplation … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: “Authentic love. . . “
Contemplation Corner: Civilization is not ‘just there’
“Civilization is not ‘just there,’ it is not self-supporting. It is artificial and requires the artist or the artisan. If you want to make use of the advantages of civilization—you are done. In a trice you find yourself left without … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: Civilization is not ‘just there’
Contemplation Corner: “But there are those whose thoughts are sublime without being strained”
“But there are those whose thoughts are sublime without being strained; who have never striven after goodness, yet are perfect. There are those who win no victories of their State, achieve no fame, and yet perfect its policies; who find … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: “But there are those whose thoughts are sublime without being strained”
Contemplation Corner: If only it were all so simple!
If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through … [Read more...] about Contemplation Corner: If only it were all so simple!