Who is Momologian? Rev. Alicia Vélez Stewart (she/her/ella) is a sassy mom of twins + 2, at times irreverent but always in awe of the Divine, Latina pastora, theologian, progressive, and unashamedly liberal child of God. Fully fueled by caffeine & the Holy Spirit 🕊, if you’re looking for a slightly heretical and definitely scriptural take on Christianity then you’re in the right place.
In this second message of our Re-Formed series, we explore what it means to be changed not from the outside in, but from the inside out. Drawing from Mark 1:1–15, we reflect on John's prophetic witness, Jesus' baptism, and the unsettling changes happening both in the world and in our own community. As a congregation who seeks to make sense of the world we live in, we ask: Can we still believe the Spirit is at work—even in chaos? This sermon invites us to lean into the mystery, trust the transformation, and allow the Holy Spirit to re-form us with courage, tenderness, and hope.
Let's look at Jeremiah 18:1–6 through the lens of divine transformation, reminding us that God, like a potter, is always reshaping us for good. This message calls us to embrace, rather than fear, the holy work of being re-formed, because as resurrection people, we were made for this even as we say to God, “Mold me…maybe?”
Today's message, “Where Faith and Doubt Meet,” invites us to see the disciple Thomas not as a doubter, but as a witness to the hard, beautiful work of faith. In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, this sermon reminds us that real resurrection meets us right in the midst of our questions and doubts. Join us as we explore how hope is born again when we dare to show up, ask the hard questions, and trust that Christ still comes close.
Today we bring you an Easter Sunday reflection unlike any other: a first-person monologue from the perspective of the angel at the empty tomb, based on Luke 24:1–12. This is not just a retelling of the resurrection story. It's an invitation—to see yourself in the eyes of Mary, Joanna, and all who have grieved and hoped and dared to believe that love could still rise.
In the person of Jesus we are given the Divine example of how to fully and completely love one another. With a truly open heart and spirit he was moved to wash the feet of his closest companions, friends, and family. Hear Rev. A's reflection from WUMC's Maundy Thursday service.
This Lent, we're journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine's Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today we journey alongside a woman who knew both the comforts of privilege and the call of the unknown — her roman name is Junia, but many of us know her as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, steward to Herod Antipas.
This week: This Lent, we're journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine's Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today, we step into the story with Mary Magdalene on the night of the Last Supper. Through her eyes, we remember the love that washed feet, the hope that shared bread, and the call to live boldly in the face of fear. As the shadow of Empire looms, Mary reminds us: love cannot be silenced.
This Lent, we're journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine's Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. Today, we step into the story of a woman whose name is not always remembered, but whose act of love could never be forgotten.
This Lent, we're journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine's Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. today, we step into the world of one of the most overlooked yet profoundly courageous figures in Scripture—the widow with the two small coins. She was poor, she was unseen, and in the eyes of the world, she was insignificant. But not to Jesus. Not to the One who sees beyond wealth and power, beyond status and privilege. Today, we hear her story—not just the moment she gave her last coins, but the deeper truth of what it means to belong to God when the empire says you are worth nothing.
This Lent, we're journeying through a sermon series inspired by Amy-Jill Levine's Entering the Passion of Jesus, exploring the bold risks Jesus took in his final days—through the eyes of the women who encountered him. This week, we hear from Veronica, the woman who bled for twelve years before reaching out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Her story didn't end with her healing—it changed everything. Now, she reflects on witnessing Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his righteous anger in the temple, and the risk of following a Messiah who sees the unseen and dares to turn the world upside down
Join us as we explore Luke 9:28-36 and the powerful moment of Jesus' transfiguration. What does it mean to be changed by faith rather than simply captivated by it? Hear how Jesus calls us to be transfigured, not transfixed, by our own encounters with the Divine. From the mountain of glory to the difficult road of discipleship, we unpack how Jesus calls us to transformation, not stagnation.
This week, we dive into one of Jesus' most challenging teachings from Luke 6:27-38—loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, and giving without expecting anything in return. It's the kind of passage that makes us want to ask, “Jesus—do I have to?”
The last few weeks we have been deep in the Gospel of Luke, walking alongside what has been for some of us a very surprising version of Jesus—and this week's text is no different! Jesus' words risks giving us whiplash between the happy are yous and the terrible for yous. Have you ever heard something so unexpected, so completely different from the way we usually think about the world, that it made you pause and say, "Wait. What?"
Today we lean into Luke 5:1-11 (The Message) and the moment when exhausted fishermen, overwhelmed and unsure, encounter Jesus in a way that changes everything. What does this story teach us about faith when life feels confusing, anxious, or too much to handle?
Many of us wrestle with the tension between conviction and hope, and how letting go of our narrow expectations of God can empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. Today we explore Luke 4:16-30 and Jesus' startling rejection in his hometown. Why did the people of Nazareth turn on him when he proclaimed a message of radical inclusion? How does this moment challenge our own expectations of God's justice today?
Lately, it's been hard stepping into the pulpit with a message of hope. Yet the Spirit reminds us that we are called to speak with bravest fire at all times, and calls us to speak a word of Love to a fractured world.
In the small village of Cana, weddings were more than just personal celebrations; they were communal events filled with joy, honor, and hospitality. And opportunities to do ministry in every moment.
Today, we step into the familiar story of the Magi following a star. But rather than dwelling on their gifts or their journey, Rev. A asks us to focus on the courage it took to defy the most powerful man in Judea—Herod.
Revelation as a hope text?! Sure thing! This is a passage which invites us to find the hope and joy that is possible when this are hard if when we give thanks for the reign of Christ.
All Saints Sunday calls us into a space of reverence, where we hold the memories of loved ones, mentors, and friends who walked with us in faith. Hear Rev. A's message recorded on November 3rd 2024 as we observe this holy day of remembering.
This week has been especially fraught as our political divides in our society widen. How will the church respond? Hear this message from Rev. A in the aftermath of this week's events.
Welcome to the final installation of our 2024 spooky season series on (Holy) Ghost Stories, where we really lean into the unofficial observance of all things fall and October-esque here in New England. This week you are invited to listen to Saul's encounter with a blinding light and a mysterious, hidden voice.
Welcome to week two of our spooky season series on (Holy) Ghost Stories, where we really lean into the unofficial observance of all things fall and October-esque here in New England. Which means we are taking our Biblical texts and retelling them in a way that re-introduces us to some of the important moments and people of our faith.
October means a return of our ghost stories series - HOLY ghost stories, that is. This month we are really leaning into our New England love for all things fall flavored-including the unofficial observance of October's spooky season.
Our text today comes from Hebrews. This is indeed a rich and complex scripture reading, don't you think? And it certainly is an appropriate text for today, a rich and complex day in the life of the church: World Communion Sunday.
I have a simple question for you: "How you doin'?" It's a question we hear often but may not always answer honestly. Sometimes we say, "I'm fine" or "I'm doing well" because it's easier than diving into the chaos of our lives. So today, let's sit with that question: "How you doin'?" and consider how, even in the midst of chaos, God calls us to stay connected—to each other and to the community—as an expression of divine love.
Welcome back home! We have returned after our summer of “Brunch Church” outdoors and are ready to welcome you all home. Rev. Alicia returns to the pulpit with the story of Joshua and his important question to the Israelites AND us: who does your house serve?
Saying grace is a practice that transcends time and culture, But, sometimes it can be really difficult to “say grace,” when the world around us feels like it's on fire. So why should we say grace in moments when it's hard? Because it is about more than merely giving thanks. It's an invitation to something more.
The kingdom of God is like.. ourselves here by the lakeshore in Capernaum, sitting with Jesus and the crowd which has gathered, as he teaches about the Kingdom of God and the infinite possibilities there are to experience it.
Today, we gather to explore the profound call found in 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1—a call to live authentically Christian lives which embody mercy, justice, and compassion. You know - Lives where we aren't just speaking about how God is present in our lives, but LIVING as if we are always in the Presence of God
We have been on a bit of a pilgrimage together. We have been witness to what I like to think of as God's love letter to Creation, as we find it in our scriptures. And throughout that love letter, there is a common theme: Presence as Love in action.
When God asks, “Who should we send?”into the world, Isaiah responds with a confident, “here I am. Send me!” Isaiah's encounter with God offers a powerful blueprint for renewal in our churches and in our society. But we have to show up first.
Mother's Day is a day fraught with complexity. In this prayer written by Rev. A, you are invited to lean into that complexity, and lift up the beauty and difficulty this day can bring.
Mother's Day is complicated. So is faith. And this message from 1 Timothy is exactly the sort of message we need to hear today, as we remember the mother's and nurturers in our lives and how we are called to the work of passing along our legacies of love.
Loving like Jesus: Love One Another This week was a monumental one in the life of the world-wide UMC. With all the changes, many are asking, “So where does this leave us?“ Well, Beloved, the scripture for today gives us the answer to the “now what?” question for us and our church: We continue to love.
Welcome to week 3 in our series “Living Like Jesus.” This week we are on the topic of living in a way that speaks to our Love of God. Now, after a number of conversations - and I am not just saying that! I HAVE had a number of conversations - about how we engage the text in worship vs. Bible study, and how some folks wish we could have a moment in worship that is LIKE our Bible studies vs. a sermon that can feel like I am talking AT y'all, we are going to give that a try this week.
How do we know we are “doing the thing-“ that thing being living like Jesus? By living LOVE in a world which seems to thrive on something else entirely.
So often in our churches we participate in the intellectual exercises of faith and belief, but what about the practical side of things? This week we explore how to live like Jesus, and dig into what it means to “live hope,” as one way of doing so.
When Mary encountered the angel at the tomb, there were two miracles at work. The miracle of resurrection and the miracle of faith in the face of uncertainty.
Welcome to Holy Week, beloved church! Today begins our observance of one of the most sacred and impactful weeks of our faith. Palm Sunday is not just a moment of celebration but it's also an invitation to sit UP and proclaim what we know to be true about our faith, what we know to be true about Jesus and his message of LOVE
Here we are, church! We have entered the penultimate - oh I love that word, second to last - of our lenten series where we are invited to get UP to something by asking questions of ourselves during this season of deepening our understanding of what the Jesus story means to us in our faith journeys.
This lent we explore the question: what is God UP to in our lives? Week 4 is our reminder to light UP the world…even as one particular passage in today's selected text has been used in the past to, well, do quite the opposite.
This Lent we explore the question: what is God UP to in our lives? Week 3 reminds us that as important as it is to tear down systems of oppression and injustice we also need to raise UP the promise of resurrection
This Lent we explore the question: what is God UP to in our lives? Week 2 invites us to take UP the message of Christ - and let go of the stuff that keeps us weighed down.
This Lent we explore the question: What is God UP to in our lives? Week 1 invites us to “come UP” out of the depths into a new way of being this season.
After a few weeks away, Rev. A is back! It's Transfiguration Sunday, and here we are with the ones with whom Jesus has been walking alongside and teaching from the beginning. And they are having, quite literally, a religious experience of epic proportions. Maybe even one of the biggest “come to Jesus” moments for them.
We will have one more message on “call” and on “being called” today, but this time we have a moment with Jesus and someone who really isn't expecting much. This might be a wonderful, biblical example of not saying the first thing that comes to your mind out loud…So let's dive right into the audacity of Nathaniel
“Come and follow me:” One the most thought provoking and anxiety producing phrases in the Gospels any of us can hear or experience in our lives.
Epiphany is every day. Or at least it can be. With the Magi as our inspiration can you set aside expectations and allow yourself to experience God in a new and exciting way?
So what's the deal with this Covenant prayer? Well, it's a part of our heritage as a Wesleyan people and is a wonderful way to greet the new year with intention as a people called Christian.