Lifestyle

Ingredients: ½ cup salted butter (1 stick) 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter or if crunchy peanut butter is preferred, add another ¼ cup.

Ingredients: 1 red beet 2 cloves garlic, peeled 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 ½ cups cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons of warm water 2 tablespoons tahini paste 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon coriander Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the beet and garlic cloves on a piece of foil and drizzle with the olive oil.

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.” --Luke 24:2-3 NRSV In the United Methodist Church, my denomination, we begin our new appointments to new churches in July. Traditionally we have an annual conference in June where, among other business, the bishop sets the new assignments of clergy. So there are always Methodist preachers preaching first sermons in July, looking at what new chapter has begun. I am not moving this year, but I hear lots of conversations about new beginnings.