The Birth That Brings Us Together

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:22-23

There’s something primal and powerful about the way we gather when the cold of December settles around us. The year’s end presses close, like the hush of snowfall at dusk, and we instinctively draw together—kin, friends, and neighbors—to share warmth and laughter. It’s no coincidence that we celebrate the birth of Christ this way, for His coming marks the ultimate togetherness: God with us.

As Lead Pastor Mark Nsimbi reminds us, “Jesus’ birth calls us into a family of faith—a family that celebrates, dances, and shares life together, embracing the gift of togetherness through traditions like the agape feast.”

I remember a Christmas when my family filled every corner of our home. Jackie and I were bustling about, preparing the feast, when the smallest grandchild took center stage. She began to dance—tiny feet tapping to the lively carols that filled the air. Then the others joined, laughter spilling out like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Soon, even my mom rose to her feet, and for a moment, generations blurred in the rhythm of joy. That dance became a tradition for us—a thread binding time and memory into something sacred.

This Sunday, the last before Christmas, is our chance to ground ourselves in the heart of this season: peace, hope, and love. It’s an opportunity to come together as a church family in a way that echoes the early believers—those who gathered for the agape feast. In the first centuries of the church, Christians broke bread together, erasing barriers of class and status in a radical act of love and unity. They prayed, sang hymns, and shared stories of faith. At the heart of their meal was Christ, the Bread of Life, who nourished not just their bodies but their souls.

Purpose and Meaning of an Agape Feast – The feast was a celebration of love and unity among believers, regardless of social or economic status. It symbolized the new family formed in Christ. The gatherings typically involved prayer, hymn singing, the reading of Scripture, and the sharing of food. The Lord’s Supper (Eucharist) was often part of the feast. They broke down social barriers, uniting people of different classes, genders, and ethnicities under a shared identity in Christ. This inclusiveness was radical in the Roman world, where sharp distinctions in status were common.

Sunday morning, we will enjoy Eliot and our praise band singing Christmas hymns. Pastor Mark’s inspiring message and our own church choir and the children will be performing together.  At the close of the service, we will embrace the spirit of the first agape feast as we break into smaller groups to share a taste of The Nsimbi’s famous Kenyan bread, dipped in grape juice—a simple, sanitary nod to the ancient tradition. Afterward, the celebration continues with a bread potluck in the back. Bring your best homemade loaf or pick something special from your favorite bakery. What matters is the breaking of bread, the act of sharing, the fellowship it brings.

Let this be more than a tradition. Let it be a moment that echoes the first agape feasts—a tangible reminder of the love that unites us. Don’t miss it.

Yours in faith and fellowship,

Pastor Tim White

Bringing Home the Light of Christmas

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.”— Luke 2:1-3

The first Christmas was more than an event—it was the turning of a great wheel. A simple family, swept up in the chaos of an empire, found themselves at the heart of something eternal. The birth of a child, that most ordinary of miracles, set the heavens ablaze and sent kings and shepherds stumbling toward Bethlehem.

Isn’t that the nature of Christmas? Families, far and wide, are drawn together to celebrate Faith, Hope, Love, and Peace—forces as real as the wind in the trees and the sun on your face. And who could oppose such a celebration? Every year, without fanfare or orders from on high, the world rises to meet this season with songs, meals, and open arms. These gatherings—spontaneous and unstoppable—bind us together, spilling over with love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

And this year? It will be no different. In fact, it has already begun. For 69 Christmases, I’ve seen God’s hand at work—unfailing, unyielding, unstoppable. Time and again, He moves where we cannot, weaving joy into the fabric of our lives. The greatest folly is to think that this miracle is up to us to create. We couldn’t carry that burden if we tried. But when we let go, when we trust, the miracle happens all the same.

Over the years, I’ve played many roles: Joseph, a shepherd, a choir member, Santa Claus for the Salvation Army, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a cook at the Union Gospel Mission, a hospital volunteer, a prison visitor, a Sunday school teacher, a Christmas dinner deliverer, a janitor, a parking lot attendant, a preacher, a communion leader, and even an emergency counselor. I’ve assisted law enforcement, fixed broken-down cars, and visited nursing homes. And this year, I’ll stand as a wiseman—though I can assure you, the wisdom belongs to God, not me. I have loved every role that I have taken. Yet through all these years and all these roles, one truth has remained: Christmas is alive, moving, and unstoppable. Families will gather. Kindness will spread. Love will shine. Spontaneous celebrations of faith and joy will spring up all over the world. And you can bet your bottom dollar, I’ll be part of as many as I can. My prayer for you is that somewhere some way you too can find a Christmas celebration that you can be a part of.

Please join me this Sunday at 10:30 AM as pastor Mark teaches us about the good news of Christmas and how we can focus on the right things this year.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. I love this time of year—a season where we can say “Merry Christmas” over and over again and mean it more each time.

Your friend for the rest of your lives,

Pastor Tim White

God Making His Home for Christmas with Us

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.”—John 1:1-5

I can hardly wait for Pastor Marks’ sermon this Sunday on the powerful truth of God making His home with us for Christmas. As I think about it, I picture Christmas morning at the Nsimbi home. It brings to mind my own cherished memories of Christmas—both as a child and as a parent raising my own family with Jackie.

I imagine Taamale, caught up in the Christmas spirit, darting out in his onesie pajamas to join his two joyful older sisters. Anne and Mark are waiting near their beautifully lit tree, their faces glowing with anticipation. While I don’t know exactly what their Christmas morning will look like, I’m certain of one thing: they will be opening their hearts to welcome Jesus into their home this Christmas.

As I reflect on this, I’m reminded of the beauty of the season and wrote this little piece as a response to such thoughts.

Open your heart, your home, your door, For Christ is here forevermore. His light will shine, His peace will stay, A gift of love this Christmas Day.

Pastor Mark’s Advent devotional today deeply moved me. I know this Sunday will be a truly uplifting time for everyone who joins us. I hope you’ll be there to experience it too.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Welcoming Home the Light of Christmas

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”— Isaiah 9:6-7

A great Christmas is never an accident. It is forged, like steel, through purpose-driven struggle.

The words of Isaiah 9 were penned over 700 years before the first Christmas dawned, yet their promise burned like a lantern in the dark. Fragments of this ancient prophecy, preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls, have been carbon-dated to over a century before that sacred night in Bethlehem. These verses, immortalized in Handel’s Messiah, speak of a coming King—a child who would shoulder the government of heaven and bear the names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

But the road to Christmas was not lined with joy. It was a path carved through centuries of pain and perseverance. Isaiah’s vision came during days of looming disaster. Israel and Judah were crushed under the heels of their enemies. The young were chained and marched into exile; Jerusalem, the holy city, lay in ruins. Families were torn apart; lives, extinguished. By the waters of Babylon, the captives wept. Their cries echoed through the centuries: Daniel faced the lions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego endured the furnace, and untold others bore the weight of persecution. Yet through it all, a remnant held fast to a flicker of hope—the promise of a Savior, a light piercing the darkness. Seven centuries of faith endured before the prophecy became flesh and dwelt among us.

And so, it is with Christmas. Great celebrations do not happen by chance. They are born from sacrifice, vision, and relentless faith. Ask any mother preparing her home or any “Saint Nicholas” laboring in quiet devotion. Christmas requires intention.

This year, our theme is Welcoming Home the Light of Christmas, and Isaiah 9 encapsulates that spirit. It reminds us that healing, renewal, and hope don’t arrive unbidden; they require purposeful effort and trust in God’s redemptive power.

This week, I have the honor of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with you. Together, we’ll explore how God’s plans for healing and restoration can transform your life and your family this Christmas season. I believe this journey will lead to a worship experience you’ll treasure—a moment to reflect on the Light that has come to dwell among us.

I invite you to join us—online or in person—at 10:30 a.m. on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Together, let us welcome home the light of Christmas.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Thanks-Living

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” — Psalm 69:30

When I think back to my childhood in Joseph, Oregon, I remember those early mornings that began at the crack of dawn. I’d wake up in the old parsonage, where Native American pictures covered the bedroom wallpaper, and the chill in the air seemed to pull me from the covers. I’d jump out of bed and race down the stairs—until I heard my dear grandmother call out, “No running on the stairs, Timmy; it’s dangerous!”

Downstairs, the warmth of a crackling wood fire in the old stove would greet me, mingling with the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven and bacon sizzling on top. From the sitting room, the steady ticking of my grandparents’ old clock filled the air. But the sound I remember most came from my grandfather’s study. Every morning, there he was, on his knees, his face turned toward his old, well-worn Bible, singing hymns with a heart so full it seemed to overflow into the entire house. He began each day like this—with hymns of thanksgiving and praise.

Even in his 90s, when he couldn’t remember his own name or his lifelong calling, he’d rise each morning and sing hymns for an hour, thanking God with a heart of praise. That memory of his voice still echoes in my mind, calling me to live a life of thanksgiving.

My parents shared this same spirit of gratitude, their voices lifted in song as though inviting me to join them. Even now, as I glance at their picture on my desk, their twinkling eyes seem to say, “Come, join us in thanksgiving and praise.” And I remember Pastor Dick Sanders, singing hymns at the top of his lungs as he drove me and his son Rich in his old pickup truck—singing as if nothing mattered more than these moments of pure praise.

The truth is our thanksgiving doesn’t end. It lives on beyond us, continuing like an endless song of praise. We’re invited to be part of something that stretches beyond life’s bounds, an echo of gratitude that carries us into eternity.

This Sunday, I invite you to join us as Pastor Mark shares the secret of “Thanks-Living”—a life that glorifies God with each moment of gratitude, praise, and joy.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White 

Friendships that Can Weather Political Differences

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34

How many times, I wonder, has the answer to my struggles simply been to love like Jesus. Life throws us no shortage of challenges and disagreements—especially in a world that can feel divided along every fault line, from politics to personal beliefs. And yet, through it all, the command remains simple and clear. Jesus, in His last moments with His disciples, offered this timeless answer: love one another as I have loved you.

Sometimes I imagine a whimsical project I’d like to set up in retirement—an “Answer Stand,” much like a drive-by coffee stand. For a nickel, I’d hand out scraps of paper, each with the same answer: Love like Jesus. The sign overhead would flash, “Answers to Anything—One Nickel.” I’d sit there all day, spreading this one simple but profound solution to everyone who stopped by. Maybe one day I’d even put this answer into vending machines, ready for anyone who needs it. Just drop a nickel, get a note: Love like Jesus!

Joking aside, there’s a bit of truth in it. The answer to healing friendships, weathering misunderstandings, and building bridges in divided times often boils down to this same message. This Sunday, Pastor Mark is diving deep into that kind of love—the kind that doesn’t waver in the face of political differences, mistakes, or even broken trust. It’s the magical cure for friendships that might otherwise falter.

So, this week, let’s each be reminded of this command that’s both old and new. Let’s love as He did, seeing others with compassion, humility, and grace. Join us, and let’s learn together what it means to truly love like Jesus.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

The Assignment Remains the Same

If you are celebrating the victory of President Trump or struggling through disappointment after voting for Vice President Harris, the assignment for Christians both sides remains the same.

It’s true in every season of life. Whether you’re celebrating a victory or mourning a loss, our calling as followers of Christ remains unchanged. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10). In times past, believers have lived under kings and tyrants, emperors and democracies. Yet, their joy has never wavered, for they see God’s grand design and stay fixed on their mission: seeking and saving the lost.

Proverbs 19:21 speaks to the ageless disappointments we all feel. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” In moments of disappointment, we’re reminded to look beyond our crushed expectations, to glimpse God’s unseen work, shaping even our struggles for His purpose.

Jesus himself showed us the way when he faced the hour of his death. In the garden, his human heart longed to turn away, yet he submitted with these words: “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” Even then, he held fast to God’s plan, knowing it held more than human eyes could see.

Across the political divide, we are still bound as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our charge is to love, as Christ has loved us, without condition. With this love, we have the power to overcome the world, one soul at a time.

This Sunday, Pastor Mark Nsimbi will speak on the strength found in silence. Join us, for together, we’ll find blessing and renewal.

 Your friend always,

 Pastor Tim White

The Smile Beyond the Ballot

“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” – John 18:36

Many people feel anxious as we approach the presidential election of 2024. This Sunday, Pastor Mark will deliver a sermon to help calm our hearts and guide our actions. At Washington Cathedral, we take pride in being a congregation where half lean toward former President Trump and the other half toward Vice President Harris, yet we remain united as friends.

For families split by differing votes, we encourage them to keep looking to Jesus’ love as our anchor, which helps us respect each other and work together toward shared goals. No matter who wins, God is still in control, and we have a lot of Jesus’ work left to do.

It isn’t always easy to be a Christian in this day and age. It requires letting go of grudges, admitting our mistakes, and showing respect to everyone. Remember, you’ll never look into the eyes of someone whom God does not love—so be kind.

This Sunday, we’ll gather to embody this kindness, led by Pastor Mark’s powerful message.

Your friend always,

 Pastor Tim White

The One Who Feeds the Songbirds

Have you ever wondered who in our community feeds all the beautiful songbirds? It crossed my mind yesterday as I thought about our neighbor, Tom, a retired LAPD officer. Tom is a busy man, deeply committed to his church, his family, and our community. Despite his full schedule, he always finds time and makes the effort to care for the songbirds, ensuring they are well fed.

This week, we conclude our series on kingdom investments, with Pastor Emeritus Linda Skinner delivering the final message. I have no doubt it will be an inspiring word. But as I reflect on Tom’s simple act of feeding the birds, I’m reminded of how many unseen acts of love and care go unnoticed but play such a vital role in making life beautiful.

At Washington Cathedral, I see a community of heroic individuals who, like Tom, tend to the “songbirds” among us—the ones who need care, support, and encouragement. It’s these small but noble acts that allow life’s songs to continue. What a gift it is to be surrounded by people who invest in the beauty of life in quiet and selfless ways.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” - Proverbs 16:24

Your friend always,

Pastor Tim White

The Benefits of a Life of Generosity

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
Proverbs 22:9

Many of us who give do so because someone modeled a generous life to us. By giving we not only make them proud, but we reap the rewards of generosity that they have taught us about.

Generosity is often seen as an act of kindness towards others, but its impact reaches far beyond those who receive. Being a generous person not only enriches the lives of others but also profoundly benefits the giver in ways that might surprise you.

1. Strengthens Relationships - When we give freely—whether through our time, resources, or energy—it strengthens our connections with others. Generosity fosters trust and mutual respect, deepening relationships and creating a sense of community.

2. Boosts Well-Being - Studies have shown that generous people tend to experience greater levels of happiness and satisfaction. Acts of kindness release "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and oxytocin, creating a sense of fulfillment and emotional well-being.

3. Reduces Stress - Generosity helps shift focus away from personal worries and problems, allowing us to gain perspective. By focusing on the needs of others, we often find that our own stressors diminish, leaving us feeling lighter and more at peace.

4. Creates a Positive Ripple Effect - Generosity is contagious. When we give, we inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of kindness that can spread throughout our communities. One act of giving has the potential to influence countless others.

5. Builds a Legacy - Generosity leaves a lasting mark on the world. It’s not about the size of the gift but the heart behind it. Being generous helps build a legacy of compassion, love, and service that echoes long after we are gone.

In the end, generosity benefits not only the receiver but also the giver, creating a cycle of goodwill that uplifts everyone involved. When we choose to live generously, we open ourselves up to greater joy, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose.

Pastor Mark Nsimbi will be teaching on generosity this week. Join us for a celebration of God working in our world.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White