Hayley Larson and Vince Brackett are suspicious of the way "power" is usually understood in religious settings. It can seem to evoke hierarchy, colonization, white supremacy, and a cold, removed God. But what is power if we start with the person and teaching of Jesus?
Read MoreVince Brackett, Abby Dye, and Elizabeth Bertrand discuss the various ways we are prone to assume "God might be pleased with other people, but not me," and suggest some ways to leave this spiritual imposter syndrome behind.
Read MoreWhat’s the most spiritual thing you did in the last year? Chances are you have images of prayer or meditation or reading the Bible coming to mind. Those are great, but what about the last powerful new realization you came to? When you learned something, or discovered a new perspective, or changed your mind. Hayley wonders if God is in those experiences as much as anything in life…
Read MoreMaybe you’re already doing a lot of the practices and behaviors and reflections you need to in order to experience deep connection with God, but you’re just not calling those things “connecting with God”. What if the opportunity to feel spiritual enjoyment, health, purpose, aliveness, and hope (even in the midst of despair or injustice) is closer than you think? Kyle kicks off our new series...
Read MoreMay 23 is a day of action for our church, as we talk about justice for the unhoused, and organize a way that we as individuals can each provide relief to our neighbors experiencing suffering due to homelessness.
Read MoreExpectations and hope (and also maybe some fear and anxiety) are building as more of us become fully vaccinated and life’s many calendar invites for in-person gathering begin to return. Kyle wonders if we can take this as a “blank slate” opportunity, and offers a prayer/meditation practice for helping us wisely reintegrate into a less social-distanced life.
Read MoreFor Mother’s Day this year, we’re thrilled to welcome special guest Cheryll Hanawalt, mother of our co-pastor Kyle. Kyle interviews his mom about motherhood, God, healthy spirituality, and community.
Read MoreIn relationships, it’s experiences above all that build trust. The same is true for relationship with God, so we want to consider together: what personal experiences have shown you God might be all-loving? If you grew up religious, you may have been taught that you can’t trust your experience, because you’ll just make God in your own image, and that’s why you need a strict set of beliefs. We hope to show you otherwise!
Read MoreFor some of us, who grew up being taught "the Bible is without error", the violence attributed to God in the Bible presents major cognitive dissonance. For others of us, it doesn't feel quite so major, but it still doesn't make sense! If the Bible is a resource to the modern spiritual life and the pursuit of love and justice in the world (and we believe it is!), what on earth do we do with its violence?
Read MoreFor black and brown Americans, the judgments of authorities too often lead to harm and mistrust (even death, as in the shootings of Daunte Wright & Adam Toledo). On the surface, the God of the Bible can seem just as cruelly authoritative, but what if God is actually the opposite? In our culture obsessed with determining guilt vs. innocence, judgment becomes a weapon people use against each other. On the surface, the God of the Bible can seem just as judgmental, but what if God is actually the opposite?
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