Podcasts about beloved community

Today, Michael welcomes back Arndrea Waters King. Arndrea is a visionary leader at the intersection of justice, feminine empowerment, and transformative community impact. As the founder of Divine Feminine, she champions a global movement inviting women to reclaim their inner wisdom, grace, and sacred strength—qualities often suppressed in a culture that prioritizes productivity over presence. Through storytelling and conscious leadership, she reframes leadership as an act of love and a pathway to collective healing. A National Merit Scholar, president of the Drum Major Institute, co-founder of Realize the Dream, chancellor at Legacy College, and co-host of the My Legacy Podcast, Arndrea blends decades of civil rights leadership, service, and feminine wisdom with spiritual insight.  Conversation Highlights include: -How years of Civil Rights work revealed both the cost of leading through force and the deeper power of leading through love. -Why the Divine Feminine is not about gender, but about restoring compassion, intuition, creativity, and fierce care to leadership. -The difference between building ladders of individual success and weaving webs of interconnected community. -How today's political and social upheaval can be understood as birth contractions stretching society toward something more conscious. -Why burnout happens when women give from depletion—and how slowing down, setting boundaries, and reconnecting to joy restores sacred energy. -A redefinition of power and prosperity that shifts from "me" to "we," where success uplifts entire communities. -Simple daily practices—gratitude, breath, journaling, intentional environments—that help anchor feminine wisdom in everyday life. -Justice as love expressed publicly: refusing to look away from suffering while choosing compassion over domination. -Legacy not as a name on a building, but as how we live, serve, and contribute to the Beloved Community right now. Next, Michael leads a grounding meditation to reconnect with your eternal spiritual nature.

In this audio essay from my SubStack ⁠,Process This,⁠ I take Stephen Miller's claim that the "real world" is governed by strength and force and use it as a window into something much bigger than one political figure—a diagnosis of the soul of America. Drawing on the thesis Tom Holland developed in ⁠Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World⁠, Reinhold Niebuhr's ⁠The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness⁠, and the Black prophetic tradition of King and West, traced by Gary Dorrien in his ⁠3 volume history of the Black Social Gospel movement, ⁠I argue that what we're witnessing isn't actually Christian nationalism triumphing—it's post-Christian nationalism wearing Christian clothes. The cross is still everywhere, but the crucified one has been removed, and what's left is just Rome again: empire, domination, and the ancient lie that might makes right. But here's where it gets really interesting—Niebuhr doesn't let progressives off the hook either, naming them as "children of light" who kept the Christian ethics of justice and victim-focus but severed them from grace, forgiveness, and the theological roots that make them sustainable. It's a prophetic call that refuses easy partisanship, traces the American rhetoric of force back through white supremacy to its Roman origins, and ultimately invites us back to the "sublime madness" of King's Beloved Community—where power is redefined not as domination but as the capacity to achieve a shared, constructive purpose.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠You can subscribe to the Audio Essay podcast feed here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us at Theology Beer Camp, October 8-10, in Kansas City!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ONLINE LENT CLASS: Jesus in Galilee w/ John Dominic Crossan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What can we actually know about Jesus of Nazareth? And, what difference does it make? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Lenten class ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠begins where all of Dr. John Dominic Crossan's has work begins: with history. What was actually happening in Galilee in the 20s CE? What did Herod Antipas' transformation of the "Sea of Galilee" into the commercial "Sea of Tiberias" mean for peasant fishing communities? Why did Jesus emerge from John's baptism movement proclaiming God's Rule through parables—and what made that medium so perfectly suited to that message? Only by understanding what Jesus' parables meant then can we wrestle with what they might demand of us now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The class is donation-based, including 0, so join, get info, and join up here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Speaker Rev Dr Leona Stucky-Abbot's service delivered on February 22, 2026. Infants begin to develop their brains in the context of a mothering matrix, which involves the important relationships of their early years. Internalized relational patterns gradually establish expectations and structures for how babies think. Their novice experiences also distort who mother is and why she exists. These distortions mirror the ways humans construct their relationships with the Divine.

On this first Sunday of Lent, Christopher Mack invites us to open ourselves to God's Presence in the wilderness through Henri Nouwen's suggested practices of contemplative prayer, forgiveness, and theological reflection. Belonging in the Wilderness lays bare the tension between our vulnerable humanity… our desire to simply be, without hustling for worthiness or trying to fit in… and our longing for Beloved Community with our friends, family, neighbors, enemies, creation, and our Creator. The wilderness is an unavoidable part of this journey. It is where we abandon the game of dressing up like our mythical heroes and begin to uncover the mystery of our one wild and true self.  A life so rooted in Divine Love, we find ourselves simultaneously set apart and intimately connected to God's global family. We rarely choose to go to the wilderness, where all our distractions and pretense evaporate. Yet the wilderness invites us to live together for what really matters, because here there is energy for little else. There are no shortcuts in the wilderness. It is a solitary journey, which we cannot walk alone.      

From interfaith practice to ancestral wisdom, Kaira Jewel Lingo and Vincent Moore explore how engaged spirituality across traditions supports collective awakening.Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This week on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Kaira and Vincent discuss:The Beloved Community for Engaged Spirituality: developing a monastic space for Buddhist/Christian/non-denominational practice in upstate New YorkReceiving Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat HanhContending with hostility, wars, and climate crises Ancestral wisdom and honoring those who came before usSkillful means and working with people in denial around the current troubles of our timeEnjoying practice, allowing individuality, and letting go of rigidity Remembering that everyone has the capacity for awakeningThis conversation was originally recorded on the Paths of Practice Podcast. Listen to more episodes HERE.About Kaira Jewel Lingo:Kaira is a mindfulness meditation teacher, author, and mentor who guides people to transform and heal through embodied presence, stillness, and play. She is a Buddhist teacher who has spent decades weaving mindfulness and meditation with social justice. Check out her book, We Were Made for These Times, to learn about navigating change. You can keep up with Kaira on her website.About Vincent Moore:Vincent Moore is a creative and creative consultant living in San Francisco, California, with over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry and holds a graduate degree in Buddhist Studies. For years, he performed regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, an improv and sketch comedy theatre based in New York and Los Angeles. As an actor, Vincent performed on Comedy Central, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Seth Meyers, Above Average, and The UCB Show on Seeso. As a writer, he developed for television as well as stage, including work with the Blue Man Group, and his own written projects have been featured on websites such as Funny or Die. Additionally, he received a Masters of Buddhist Studies from the Institute of Buddhist Studies with a Certificate in Soto Zen Studies and engages in a personal Buddhist practice within the Soto Zen tradition. Vincent is also the creator and host of the podcast, Paths of Practice, which features interviews with Buddhists from all over the world. Learn more on Vincent's website HERE."Whenever I read the Christian mystics or any mystic, really, it's like the mystics are in touch with this space that is beyond the confines of one tradition. They're in the groundwater, not in the well. All the mystics seem to get to that place of oneness, emptiness, or total interconnection." –Kaira Jewel LingoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Meizon Church. This is Episode #248 "Beloved Community - Prepared for Disruption" DIGITAL CONNECT CARD Fill out the online connect card... https://meizon.churchcenter.com/peopl... FINANCIALLY SUPPORT MEIZON CHURCH Give Online: https://meizon.churchcenter.com/giving Mail a Check to: Meizon Church 3411 NW 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606 LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: / @meizongnv Contact our lead team... Vision Pastor - Kevin Bruchert - kevin@meizonchurch.com Operations Pastor - Miranda West - miranda@meizonchurch.com Media and Messaging Pastor - Joe Smith - joe@meizonchurch.com Credits: Producer: Jack Bruchert FOH Sound: Luis Ortiz Band: Peter Dziegielewski, Kevin Bruchert, Sandy Frankenberger, Haylin Watkins, Drew Allen Communion: Erin Bruchert Host: Kevin Bruchert Message: Joe Smith Our Core Team: Dawn Bekaert Kate Mitchell Neil Lorenzini Kevin Bruchert David Nations Meizon Church CCLI License # 20909759

Welcome to Meizon Church. This is Episode #249 "Beloved Community - Go and do the same" DIGITAL CONNECT CARD Fill out the online connect card... https://meizon.churchcenter.com/peopl... FINANCIALLY SUPPORT MEIZON CHURCH Give Online: https://meizon.churchcenter.com/giving Mail a Check to: Meizon Church 3411 NW 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606 LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: / @meizongnv Contact our lead team... Vision Pastor - Kevin Bruchert - kevin@meizonchurch.com Operations Pastor - Miranda West - miranda@meizonchurch.com Media and Messaging Pastor - Joe Smith - joe@meizonchurch.com Credits: Producer: Jack Bruchert FOH Sound: Katye Poole Band: Brett Pokorny, Kevin Bruchert, Darren Burgess Communion: Marco Thomas, Christy Thomas Host: Zach Mayo-Frey Message: Joe Smith Our Core Team: Dawn Bekaert Kate Mitchell Neil Lorenzini Kevin Bruchert David Nations Meizon Church CCLI License # 20909759

A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli with Foundry UMC February 8, 2026. “Piece Us Together” series. Texts: Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 5:17-20 Our guest preacher last week invited us into the ancient wisdom of Micah 6:8—to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. In response to that sermon, someone commented online: “Sad when preachers preach from the old fallen Old Testament. God speaks through Jesus and Jesus said he was to be our only teacher.” I had to hold back from replying with a bit of pastoral snark: I guess you missed the day in class when Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Jesus' whole life is an embodiment of the righteousness the law seeks to teach and the justice the prophets longed to proclaim and enact. In Scripture, “law” isn't a cold rulebook or a list of religious regulations. It's God's teaching for how a community actually lives—how neighbors treat one another, how power is exercised, how workers are paid, how the vulnerable are protected. Jesus does not stand over the law and the prophets, correcting them. He stands within them, holding together what has too often been pulled apart—faith and life, prayer and practice, belief and behavior. Jesus does not discard the law and the prophets; he pieces them together, aligns them with flesh and breath and human relationships, and shows us what they look like when lived fully. Jesus comes to help us align our lives with the deep purposes of God so that peace with justice—what Dr. King called the Beloved Community—can begin to take shape among us. That is why Isaiah 58 lands so powerfully today. Isaiah and Jesus are speaking the same theological language, even as they speak in different moments. And Isaiah does not ease into the message. He comes out of the gate strong: “Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side.” That little phrase—“as if”—is a doozy. Isaiah is describing a people who are deeply religious: faithful in worship, earnest in prayer, fluent in the rituals and language of faith—as if they were practicing righteousness, as if they had not forsaken God's ordinances. This is not hypocrisy in the cheap sense. It is being faithful in form, but disconnected in practice. They want God near. They want God responsive. They want God on their side. But even as they do all the religious things—fasting, sackcloth, ashes—they forsake God's ordinances—the Hebrew word is mishpat: meaning justice that treats people fairly and equitably. They are acting religious without making God choices, without doing justice. In our current context, it would be very easy to take that “as if” and aim it outward. To point fingers at national leaders who wear big crosses around their necks, hold Bibles for photo ops, show up at public prayer services and then post vile, racist images, enact cruel policies, and unleash violent overreach. It would be easy for me, especially after what I've seen and heard recently, to let my anger form words that strike like a fist. I recently returned from Minneapolis. I heard firsthand stories of families targeted by ICE—stories of fear that lives in bodies and homes, stories of trauma caused by aggressive and dehumanizing enforcement. I've stood at the sites where neighbors lost their lives as they sought to defend and protect others. I also heard anger—anger rooted not only in what is happening now, but in decades of suffering that has gone unseen, unheard, and unaddressed: unmet needs, unacknowledged harm, voices crying out long before the rest of us were paying attention. Isaiah would tell the truth about all of that. Jesus would too. Truth-telling is part of faithfulness. But Scripture is equally clear that how we tell the truth matters. Neither Isaiah nor Jesus believes that mockery creates peace. Neither believes that humiliation heals wounds. Isaiah is clear: the fast God chooses is not one that strikes with the fist or points the finger. Walter Brueggemann reminds us that to be prophetic is not simply to condemn wrongdoing, but to name pain, to let suffering be seen and heard. That happens when we listen to stories we would rather avoid, when we allow another person's fear or anger to interrupt our assumptions, when we allow the realities of human suffering to disrupt the status quo. Brueggemann writes, “The replacing of numbness with compassion… signals a social revolution.” Healing—personal or communal—does not begin with denial. It begins when pain is clearly named and acknowledged. In Minneapolis, I had the opportunity to practice listening to stories I would have preferred to avoid. I heard how African American, African, and other immigrant communities struggle to maintain trust and true solidarity. As one of the few white people in the room, I heard stories of perhaps well-meaning, mostly white progressives who alienate Black communities over ideological issues while ignoring the chronic poverty and violent injustice they face every day. “They talk about unity, but want uniformity,” someone said. “They turn out in record numbers in this moment—but can they say the names of the young people in our community who are shot in the back on a regular basis?” I found myself thinking about how the intersections of race, class, ideology, and power I encountered in Minneapolis echo right here in Washington, DC. And all I could do—and all I can do right now—is ask God to keep me open and available: open to listen, open to learn how my own heart and practice need to change, and open to receive guidance about how to lead us, as a congregation, in faithful response both locally and nationally. That is what Isaiah calls for. And that is what Jesus fulfills. Jesus does not abolish the law and the prophets; he embodies them. Grace, in Jesus' life, is not God letting us off the hook. Grace is God drawing near—giving us strength to change, courage to repair, and patience to stay in relationship when walking away would be easier. Righteousness, in Scripture, is not moral superiority. It is right relationship—with God and with one another. Justice is not an abstract ideal. It is fair and equitable treatment that restores dignity and life. Grace does not replace these. Grace makes them possible in real life. Isaiah makes this concrete. The work of justice and righteousness he describes is not lofty or abstract. It looks like ordinary—and costly—faithfulness: loosening the bonds of injustice, undoing heavy yokes, letting the oppressed go free, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the unhoused poor, clothing the naked, and—this one cuts close—not hiding from your own kin. Right now, there are many who have every right and reason to hide. Because if they leave their driveway, they risk being stopped, dragged from their car, and taken to a detention center without due process—or even a question about their citizenship. Because if they go to school, they might be used as bait to lure a parent into detention. Because if they go to worship, they may be rounded up simply for having brown skin or wearing a hijab. But for many of us, hiding takes a different form. We hide when we scroll past suffering because it overwhelms us. When we tell ourselves someone else is better equipped to respond. When we protect our comfort instead of risking connection. When we retreat because we are not the ones being targeted. Isaiah refuses to bless that retreat. And Jesus fulfills that refusal by drawing the circle of kinship wider and wider, putting his own life on the line in true solidarity and love. Peace—real peace—does not come from choosing the right side or going through the motions of religion or shallow relationships that avoid telling the truth. It comes from aligning our lives with the way of God's love as embodied in Jesus. And that alignment is not abstract. It looks like courage without cruelty. Truth-telling without humiliation. Resistance without dehumanization. In Minneapolis, I was struck by stories of people who are embodying exactly that. The resistance in that city right now is overwhelmingly nonviolent, creative, organized, and relentlessly resolute in defense of their neighbors. And my heart aches as I reflect on Renee Good's last words: “I'm not mad at you.” And Alex Pretti's… “Are you okay?”—spoken while trying to help a woman who had just been pepper-sprayed during an encounter with immigration agents. In moments of grave danger, these siblings resisted harm without surrendering their humanity—or anyone else's. That is strength shaped by love. That is what we are called to embody. Isaiah dares to imagine what becomes possible when lives are aligned with God's way of love: light breaking forth like the dawn, wounds healing, guidance emerging, communities rebuilt, streets restored for living. We—even we—can become repairers of the breach, restorers of what violence has torn apart. Most of us won't do this in grand gestures, but in daily choices. So maybe this week, we—all of us—can be intentional about our choices: to listen before reacting, to stay present when retreat feels safer, to use our resources—time, money, influence—to stand with neighbors rather than hide from them. Not selective solidarity, but embodied faithfulness. These are the pieces that make for peace. And by God's grace, they are the pieces Christ is still fitting together—in us, among us, and through us—for the healing of the world.

Bis Thornton's service delivered on February 15, 2026. Our world is full of so much greed, violence, and hatred. Many of us have begun to wonder: "Is love really enough?" Recently, the Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) joined 30 partner organizations in a procession to the ICE family detention center outside of Dilley, Texas. Join TXUUJM Intern Minister Bis Thornton for a journey through the events of that day. Together we will explore what it means to hold love at the center of all things.

Welcome to The All Means All podcast at Cathedral of the Rockies. This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, the day we observe Jesus being declared the beloved son. Pastor Duane speaks on living into the beloved community. Donate to our Capital Campaign: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZA1K/campaign/C-14SNFGive Online: https://www.cathedraloftherockies.org/donate/Connect with us:Facebook Downtown Campus: https://www.facebook.com/cathedraloftherockiesFacebook Amity Campus: https://www.facebook.com/cathedraloftherockiesamityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathedral_of_the_rockies/Instagram Cathedral Families: https://www.instagram.com/cathedralfamilies/

Special guest preacher Rev. Gail Song Bantum wraps up our series, "Building the Beloved Community."

Welcome to Meizon Church. This is Episode #248 "Beloved Community - Week 2" DIGITAL CONNECT CARD Fill out the online connect card... https://meizon.churchcenter.com/peopl... FINANCIALLY SUPPORT MEIZON CHURCH Give Online: https://meizon.churchcenter.com/giving Mail a Check to: Meizon Church 3411 NW 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606 LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: / @meizongnv Contact our lead team... Vision Pastor - Kevin Bruchert - kevin@meizonchurch.com Operations Pastor - Miranda West - miranda@meizonchurch.com Media and Messaging Pastor - Joe Smith - joe@meizonchurch.com Credits: Producer: Jack Bruchert FOH Sound: Luis Ortiz Band: Peter Dziegielewski, Kevin Bruchert, Sandy Frankenberger, Haylin Watkins, Drew Allen Communion: Erin Bruchert Host: Kevin Bruchert Message: Joe Smith Our Core Team: Dawn Bekaert Kate Mitchell Neil Lorenzini Kevin Bruchert David Nations Meizon Church CCLI License # 20909759

Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct Minister of Religious Education, preaching Worship service given February 8, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 We each have a role to play in this congregation and in this movement toward Beloved Community. We take lessons from bees in how to work together to help one another and thrive. What role will you play? Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct MRE is leading the service. The First Parish Choir, accompanied by Kenneth Seitz, will offer music. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For February 2026, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. The mission of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. BHCHP is an integrated team of over 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers, and support staff committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Boston and beyond. Learn more at their website: https://www.bhchp.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on February 6, 2026. Fear is the reason we are here. It is a tool for survival but it can also get in the way of living into our values and meeting the moment. Rev. Carrie explores how we might honor our humanity, listen to our body, and live in alignment with our values.

Rev. Dr. Betancourt shares a powerful message of love, connection, and Beloved Community in the face of evil. Tune in to hear reflections of resistance and resilience in the Twin Cities and be reminded how our shared faith calls us to keep showing up, marching forward TOGETHER in love and justice so that none shall be lost. We get there together, or never get there at all.

DateFebruary 8, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we continue our series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, by challenging the gap between creed and deed—the painful disconnect between outward piety and lived justice. The 'breach' is the chasm between "what is and how God wants things to be," and our spiritual task isn't to retreat, but to run toward the vulnerability—brick and mortar in hand—and ask, "Where does it hurt?" This is the difficult but life-giving work of becoming Menders of Broken Walls and Restorers of Livable Streets, where God meets us and promises, "I'm here."ReferencesScripture: Isaiah 58:1–12About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

January 22, 2026 - During the first segment Vernon interviews Stacey Sutton, PhD., Associate Professor of Urban Planning & Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr Sutton and Vernon will discuss how cooperatives and solidarity economies can transform cities and advance racial and economic justice. In the second segment Vernon will discuss the relationship between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s moral and economic philosophy, the African humanist principle of Ubuntu, and the role of cooperative economics in advancing what Dr. King described as the Beloved Community.  Stacey Sutton, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also directs the Solidarity Economy Research, Policy & Law Project and serves as Director of Applied Research and Strategic Partnerships for UIC's Social Justice Initiative. Her work focuses on community economic development, economic democracy, worker-owned cooperatives, solidarity economies, and racial and economic justice. Dr. Sutton's research explores how local governments and grassroots movements can support cooperative ownership and equitable economic systems, as well as how punitive urban policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities. She is the author of research on “cooperative cities” and leads the Real Black Utopias project examining Black-centered solidarity economy ecosystems. Dr. Sutton holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Sociology from Rutgers University, an MBA from New York University, an MS from the New School for Social Research, and a BA from Loyola University.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on February 1, 2026. To paraphrase Parker Woodland, "The world's on fire, and we are still going to find joy." Joy that nourishes us and joy that sustains us. In that spirit, please join us to bless the beloved animal companions in our lives. In these challenging times let us honor our animal companions who are such a vital source of our joy and resilience.

DateFebruary 1, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we continue our series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, by diving into the structural integrity of the 'frame.' We move past the foundation of 'somebodiness' to see how the prophet Micah's call reveals the essential, non-negotiable components: to do justice, embrace hesed (faithful love), and walk humbly with God. These three elements are the core beams and joists of a life of faith, ensuring that your efforts do not collapse into self-righteousness, cheap charity, or burnout, so the Beloved Community you're building can actually bear weight.ReferencesScripture: Micah 6:1–8About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

As we celebrate his fight for racial equality and justice through nonviolent protest, honoring his commitment to freedom, service, and building a “Beloved Community” for all people, we continue the journey through the season that describes Christ's revelation to the world, asking “Who is this?” This question anticipates the questions that follow Jesus throughout his life and ministry – questions from both followers and adversaries. It's also a defining question of our own faith journeys: Who is this Jesus, and

Welcome to Meizon Church. This is Episode #247 "Beloved Community - On the Edge of the Cliff" DIGITAL CONNECT CARD Fill out the online connect card... https://meizon.churchcenter.com/peopl... FINANCIALLY SUPPORT MEIZON CHURCH Give Online: https://meizon.churchcenter.com/giving Mail a Check to: Meizon Church 3411 NW 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606 LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: / @meizongnv Contact our lead team... Vision Pastor - Kevin Bruchert - kevin@meizonchurch.com Operations Pastor - Miranda West - miranda@meizonchurch.com Media and Messaging Pastor - Joe Smith - joe@meizonchurch.com Credits: Producer: Kevin Bruchert FOH Sound: Katye Poole Band: Ven WIlliams, Max Goldberg, Tanner Martin, Teagan Allen, Kevin Bruchert Communion: Brian Odegaard, David Lajara Host: Erin Bruchert Message: Joe Smith Our Core Team: Dawn Bekaert Kate Mitchell Neil Lorenzini Kevin Bruchert David Nations Meizon Church CCLI License # 20909759

Rev Erin Walter's service delivered on January 18, 2026. Rev. Walter will hold space this Sunday through the words and music of the Rev. Meg Barnhouse, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and more. Join us in community as we hold the joys and sorrows of the world, the nation, and our own hearts.

Send us a textJoin us as we honor Rev. Dr. King and lift up the ongoing work to build the Beloved Community. As we work to resist racism, what might each of us have to change?Support the show

https://vimeo.com/1156181882?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Martin Luther King Jr is celebrated every day in Inner Medicine Community, and once a year in the collective. Akeem and Kerri are taking this opportunity to bring us all together and rekindle the inspiration that Martin Luther King Jr brought us, a fiery passion for freedom and respect that still lights our hearts on fire today. We will explore the Dream that MLK and Coretta Scott brought into reality as far as they could in their lifetimes: The Beloved Community. Now it is our turn to pick up the torch and carry it together. Join us for an inspiring conversation that will spark your passion alive and give you the focus you need to walk your next steps. Grace Under Fire – Free Live Series https://subscribepage.io/GraceUnderFire Ride the Fire Horse – 30-day Experience of Inner Medicine Community https://subscribepage.io/RideTheFireHorse ABOUT AKEEM SAMI Akeem brings his lifetime of martial arts mastery as a 6th degree black belt to Inner Medicine Community, as well as his training as a pranic and advanced shamanic healer, offering rich insights about mastering self. He is a somatic healer as well as a licensed massage therapist. YOUR GUIDE TO SOUL NECTAR: KERRI HUMMINGBIRD Kerri Hummingbird, Medicine Woman, Mother and Mentor, is the Founder of Inner Medicine Training, a Mystery School that shares potent ancient traditions from the Andes and Himalayas for owning your wisdom and living your purpose. She is the #1 international best-selling author of “Inner Medicine: Becoming One with Mother Earth for the Survival of Humanity”, “Love Is Fierce: Healing the Mother Wound”, “The Second Wave: Transcending the Human Drama” (on the int'l bestseller charts for over 6 years) and the award-winning best-selling book “Awakening To Me: One Woman's Journey To Self Love” which describes the early years of her spiritual awakening. As the host of Soul Nectar Show, Ms. Hummingbird inspires people to lead their lives wide awake with an authenticity, passion and purpose that positively impacts others. As a healer and mentor, she catalyzes mind-shifts that transform life challenges into gifts of wisdom. If you are wondering what the heck is going on, the answer is simple. We are in the process of a massive shift in consciousness that can most aptly be described as the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. As a medicine woman, I guide you to the next deepest understanding and embodiment of yourself as a spiritual being. Whether you receive a shamanic healing session, participate in the Reinvent Yourself Training program, or join us for Inner Medicine Training, one thing is certain: you will connect more deeply with your true self and learn to navigate the changes in your life from an empowered space within. SCHEDULE A FREE DISCOVERY SESSION: https://tinyurl.com/SoulNectarChat JOIN SOUL NECTAR TRIBE! https://kerrihummingbird.com/membership In Soul Nectar Tribe, we are joining forces to influence a new conversation on the planet…one that respects and honors all of life and looks forward seven generations to ensure the consequences of our actions are what we choose to create for our descendents. When we join our sparks together in community and comraderie, we become a powerful beacon of light and hope. FREE GIFTS! 1. Receive the free Reinvent Yourself ebook and guided meditations at http://www.kerrihummingbird.com/gift 2. Receive the Second Wave Guided Meditation Pack for free at http://www.thesecondwave.media LINKS FOR KERRI HUMMINGBIRD Website: www.kerrihummingbird.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.hummingbird.sami Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerri.hummingbird/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soulnectarshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrihummingbird/

Drawn Towards the Center: Desire Opens the Door - Pastor Hannah Witte - a2cc.org. Watch our livestream Sundays @ 11:00am - vimeo.com/annarborcommunitychurch  Summary: Pastor Hannah invites the church to rediscover a centered set vision of faith—one where belonging is defined not by meeting specific boundaries, but by the direction of one's desire toward Jesus. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Hannah traces how Jesus consistently welcomed people who were considered outsiders: tax collectors, political extremists, women, children, sinners, and even the criminal dying beside Him on the cross. Again and again, religious leaders asked, “Why is Jesus letting them in?” And again and again, Jesus' life answered clearly: anyone who desires to be with Him is welcome. Desire—not perfection, morality, or religious performance—is the entry point into the family of God. The sermon then turns toward the implications for church life today. A centered set community holds Jesus at the center—trusting Him to transform people over time—while practicing grace, honor, humility, and curiosity with one another. This kind of community is beautiful, but also demanding, because it asks us to stay engaged across differences, resist policing one another's journeys, and choose compassion over control. The call is to become a Beloved Community where fear grows small and love grows deep, where we take relational risks, ask better questions, and walk together as fellow pilgrims—trusting that Jesus delights in drawing all who desire Him closer.

DateJanuary 18, 2026SynopsisIn this sermon, we launch our new series, Building the Beloved Community: A Blueprint from Dream to Reality, and dive into the faithful life that refuses to shrink the horizon. Drawing on the fierce wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the prophet Isaiah, we confront the lie that tells us we are nobodies, anchoring ourselves instead in the radical truth of "somebodiness"—our inherent, God-given worth. This unshakeable foundation is the starting point for building the Beloved Community, calling us out of personal exile and into a larger, shared vision of justice and flourishing for the world.ReferencesScripture: Isaiah 49:17About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

1/18/2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 40:1-11 Kiki Barnes Music for Sunday's worship gathering No Not One by Oatman/Zach How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/FunkSteadfast by McCracken/NouwenThose Who Trust by WaterdeepInstrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Up by Rain for Roots Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology

Pastor Steven Furr & Chip Freed, “The Gift of the Beloved Community” (1 Chronicles 29:11 & Luke 17:20-21)

Guest Minister Rev Leona Stucky-Abbott's service delivered on January 11, 2026. This sermon fosters understanding of erroneous Biblical expectations regarding God's actions, of the human longing that informs people's faith, of differences between polar perspectives and where they might coalesce, and of how UU principles may prompt action rather than remain just words. It tells stories that provoke, explore, and suggest.

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on January 4, 2026. As we enter a new year, we enter a liminal space. A time in which we are between the known and the unknown. All the joys and sorrows that we faced in 2025 have changed us. Sometimes those changes have been good or enriching, and sometimes they have not. During our burning bowl service, we contemplate what we would like to let go of so that we may more easily find our center as we move into the new year.

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on December 28, 2025. Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with one another, to understand ourselves and the world around us, and it just feels really good. Rev. Carrie explores the power of a good story.

As we step into a new year, what questions are stirring within you? In this message, Rev. John invites our Beloved Community to ask the questions that matter most to them & he responds to as many as time allows.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson and Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on December 21, 2025. We join together for this annual tradition of retelling the Christian Faith Story through song and holiday merriment.

With embodied loving awareness, Dr. Sará King invites us into ancestral intelligence, shadow healing, and remembering our living connection to our lineage.This recording is from our 2nd Annual Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat in Boone, North Carolina. Keep up with upcoming retreats and events HERE.This week on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Dr. Sará King explores:Ancestral intelligence and the collective nervous system as an interdependent web of beingThe concept of ‘Beloved Community' and what it feels like to embody loving awarenessMeeting the pain, grief, and responsibility of climate change with compassionComing into contact with our shadows and healing our ancestral bloodlineRecognizing that our ancestors are truly present with us, guiding us in the here and nowBreathwork and grounding to reconnect with earthSending metta to those around us and to our ancestorsShifting our neural connections and transforming our hearts through practiceGrab a copy of the book that Dr. King reads from: In Search of Our Mothers' GardensAbout Dr. Sará King:Dr. Sará King is a Mother, a neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, medical anthropologist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and certified yoga and meditation instructor. She is an internationally recognized thought leader in the interdisciplinary field that examines the relationship between complementary alternative medicine, social justice, art, and mindfulness from the perspective of neuroscience. Keep up with Dr. King on Instagram or HERE “So many of us have lineages of complexity. I hold both ancestors who were oppressors as well as the oppressed inside of my body, so I can practice with this integration of loving presence and shadow every time that I connect to my embodiment.” –Dr. Sará KingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on December 14, 2025. It's the season of peace or so they say. What does peace mean when there is so little of it in the world? Where do we find our peace? Rev. Carrie explores peace and how we might think about it in times of chaos.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on December 7, 2025. What if hope is not the same as an optimistic belief that things will turn out the way we imagined? What if hope is grounded in the stories we tell ourselves about the past and present, and an unwavering belief that what matters most is how we show up in the present moment?

Qais Essar & Sonny Singh have collaborated on a beautiful record Sangat which means Beloved Community.  They are on a mission of bringing people together, moving past the divisions that humans are susceptible to in service to a greater vision of a peaceful world. The music is beautiful. Sonny and Qais each discuss their musical and spiritual backgrounds, and why this project is so dear to them. • Qais Essar & Sonny Singh on YouTube Music by: Qais Essar & Sonny Singh The post Qais Essar & Sonny Singh – “Sangat” appeared first on Paradigms Podcast.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on November 30, 2025. Transcendence and Transformation are two of our religious values at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin. We'll explore how our experiences of transcendence can lead to personal growth and transformation, and paradoxically, how working to transform ourselves and our world can lead us into transcendence.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on November 23, 2025. We know that gratitude can lead to a wealth of psychological, spiritual, and even physical health benefits. Yet, how do we truly cultivate gratitude? If it is as simple as expressing thanks for the good things in our lives, what happens when life seems just mundane or when things get really hard? What happens when folks with power and privilege demand gratitude from those over whom they hold power? How do we make sure our "thanks giving" is an authentic spiritual practice?

This weird and fantastical vision is a story of the reality of forces of destruction and death, the bravery of creating and giving life in the midst of those forces, and the desire of God that life be protected and lifegivers nourished. This weird and fantastical vision is a story of resistance, because dragons are real. We are called to midwife the Beloved Community, dragons be damned!Sermon begins at minute marker 1:30Revelation 12.1-6Resources:Poem: Katie Lehman, "Light from the Twelve Stars," Drawing Near: A Devotional Journey with Art, Poetry & Reflection, ed. Eileen R. Kinch and John D. Roth (Herald Press, 2025), 188.Jan Richardson, The Intimate Apocalypse: Notes on a Pilgrimage Into Revelation (Wanton Gospeller Press, 2007).Anabaptist Community BibleHildegard of Bingen, prayer, Voices Together (Menno Media, 2020), 900.Image: detail from Randy Horst, “John's Vision: A Woman, Her child, and the Dragon,” Drawing Near: A Devotional Journey with Art, Poetry & Reflection, ed. Eileen R. Kinch and John D. Roth (Herald Press, 2025), 186.

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on November 16, 2025. We are people who have beautifully joined ourselves to the work of building the Beloved Community, but what does that look like in a fractured world where some have more than they will ever need and some will never have enough? Rev. Carrie explores the role of solidarity in our work and in our lives.

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp converses with Victoria Loorz, a wild church pastor, eco spiritual director, and author, about her unique perspective on spirituality and nature. Victoria discusses her journey from being a pastor of indoor churches to founding the first Church of the Wild in Ojai, California, and her involvement with the Ecumenical Wild Church Network. The conversation delves into the concept of 'Wild Spirituality,' emphasizing a reorientation of relationships with the living world through a 'wild Christ.' Victoria unpacks the spiritual significance of integrating nature with religious practices, the importance of remembering and reconnecting with the sacredness of all life forms, and how scripture grounds her work. They explore the transformational power of experiencing God's presence in nature, the importance of grief in spiritual journeys, and the role of language in shaping spiritual understanding. The discussion highlights practical steps for fostering a deeper connection with nature, even in urban settings, and how these practices can help heal trauma and resist the modern pressures of empire and disconnection.Victoria Loorz is a wild church pastor, an eco-spiritual director and co-founder of several transformation-focused organizations focused on the integration of nature and spirituality.  She feels most alive when collaborating with Mystery and kindred spirits to create opportunities for people to re-member themselves back into intimate, sacred relationship with the rest of the living world. After twenty years as a pastor of indoor churches, she launched the first Church of the Wild, in Ojai CA and began to meet others with the same sense of call to leave building and expand the Beloved Community beyond our own species. She then co-founded the ecumenical Wild Church Network. She is also the author of Church of the Wild, and coauthor of Field Guide to Church of the Wild.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Homily Title: Reconstructing Sunday School: From Literal Fear to Imaginative Love While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn't working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    Special guest, Sarah Swartzendruber, co-pastor at Cascade Church in Portland, OR continues our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, by exploring how we relate to the faith that was handed down to us and how we might reimagine more loving and holistic ways of sparking faith conversations and formation with kids in our lives. [Mark 1:10-13]   Reflection  If you were in faith spaces as a kid or student, what messages were you given about God? What “tips or solutions” would you add for moving away from “fear-based” theology? If you could teach your childhood self one message about God, what would it be? Resource PDF: Vox Childlike Faith of Curiosity

Rev. Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on November 9, 2025. Courage and Community: These are two of our religious values at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin. How do our values of courage and community intersect and interact? In what ways do they call us to be and act in our world? Rev Chris explores how these values bring our religious community alive to meet the challenges of our times.

Homily Title: Reconstructing Prayer: From a Contest to a  Doorway While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn't working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    Brandon Kinder continues our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, by offering several practices for allowing prayer to be a doorway bringing us closer to both our authentic self and the One whose Divine Image we bear. [John 21:1-14]   Reflection  How might the purpose of prayer seem different now than when we were younger? When do you feel the most connected to the divine? Try not to look at your phone right now. Resource PDF: Vox Doorways to Prayer

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on November 2, 2025. Loss is an inevitable part of the human experience, and yet we often give ourselves so little time to acknowledge it or to spend time with our grief. This Sunday, we will spend some time acknowledging the loss we have experienced and the grief that has shown up in its place. Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt leads us through a ritual of acknowledgement.

Reconstructing Church: From Conformity to Community While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn't working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Lilly Ettinger honors the tender and challenging experiences many have had with church while asking us to participate in the kind of community centered on Christ that would lead to our collective flourishing. [Hebrews 10:24-25] Reflection  Where do I see the kind of community I want to be a part of? What do I wish motivated me to come to church? How might I reimagine my role in this church? Resource PDF:  Vox Growing Together 2025

Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on October 26, 2025. Play is the most natural state for children, but it somehow disappears from our lives along the way. But it doesn't have to be this way! Rev. Carrie explores the power of play.

Reconstructing the Cross: From Punitive Scapegoating  to Divine Nonviolence While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn't working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, guest Anthony Bartlett reveals the cross as pointing to the way of our nonviolent transformation rather than a retributive transaction demanded by God. [2 Corinthians 5:13-21]   Reflection  What traditional explanations of Christ's death have I been given in the past? What if the violence of Jesus' death was the whole point–displaying human violence and the counter-revelation of divine nonviolence? Is it possible for me to accept the revelation of a God of absolute nonviolence? Resource PDF:  Vox Practicing Nonviolence

Reconstructing Evangelism: From Tactics to Authenticity While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn't working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.  This week, in our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Vanessa Maleare shifts perspective from tactics to sell a religion to authentically bearing witness to the goodness of God present in each of our lives. [John 4:7-30] Reflection  What is inherently good for you in the ways of Christ? Is there anyone you know that embodies this goodness? Resource Book: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Faith by Rob Bell PDF: Vox Veniae Bearing Witness to Goodness