Do not be afraid, only believe.
Linda’s message is rooted in Mark 5.21-43. When Jairus finds his daughter at the point of death, he brings Jesus to her. Jesus responds, “Do not fear, only believe.” Many among us feel an epidemic of fear spreading in our nation & around the world. How might the this story of Jesus inspire and challenge us to let go of our fear and believe that the long arc of the moral universe really does bend toward justice?
Peace! Be Still!
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 4.35-41. How might this story of Jesus journeying “just as he is” to the other side as a storm rages call us to engage the storms of our world today? Into the chaos and fear…Jesus calls out: “Peace! Be still!” How might our voices join with his today?
Repeat.
Linda’s message is rooted in two parables from Mark 4:26-34. Jesus uses parables about scattering seeds and mustard plants to challenge & inspire followers in his day and all of us today to notice the kin-dom of God growing all around us.
Rethink.
Linda’s message weaves reflections from four persons from our community of faith with Mark 3.20-35 and the revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. How might this encounter from the Gospel of Mark challenge & inspire us to rethink our understandings of family and the social structures in which we move? How might this witness lure us deeper into the messiness of love?
Resist.
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 2.23-3.6 and the revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. How might we be inspired and challenged by Jesus’s reclaiming of sabbath-keeping as resistance to the religious & political establishment’s desire for stability at the expense of those who are hungry & suffering?
Trinity as Divine Dance…Work it!
Matt’s message for Trinity Sunday is rooted in John 3.1-17. What are our conscious and unconscious images of God? How might Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in John 3 guide us toward more evocative and faithful images of God? Matt’s reflection weaves writings from Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance with the work on intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Here is a link to Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk in 2016. Here is a link to the band Matt encountered while visiting the National…
The Movement
Pastor Chris’s message on this Pentecost Sunday is rooted in Acts 2. 1-21.
Complicated Relationships
Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 1:13-17, 21-26 & the 2017 Academy nominated film “Lady Bird.” Relationships are complicated. Whether it is a group of disciples choosing to replace one among their ranks or Lady Bird and her mother, this scripture points to prayer as one of the ways to listen to God’s guidance. When you are in a complicated relationship what guides your choices? Is there a way in which pausing for prayer this week might inform your next…
Even Them?
Matt’s message holds his conversion experience along the US/Mexico boarder in conversation with Peter’s conversion story from Acts 10. How might we be called to follow the Risen One in crossing boundaries, repairing breaches, and joining with God in taking the crucified down from the cross?
Embracing Diversity in Gender & Sexuality
Matt’s message holds the story of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8. 26-40 in conversation with Lady Bird’s representation of gender & sexuality. What might scripture have to teach us about embracing diversity in gender and sexuality today?
Embracing/Rejecting the Name
Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 4:5-12. The name of Jesus was initially rejected, but would become the cornerstone. Lady Bird’s given name is “Christine” yet she rejects this name and gives herself a new name. Linda’s message invites reflection on what it means to claim the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
The “In” Crowd
Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 3 and the 2017 Academy nominated film Lady Bird.