Finding Jesus in the Stranger
Richard R. Aguirre
As Christians, we’re called to welcome immigrants and treat them as we would other citizens – with fairness, charity and love. In short, we’re expected to treat “the least of these” as we would Jesus. But what should we do in these turbulent times when some government leaders are treating immigrants unjustly and seeking their […]
Finding Home in the Sojourn
Mag Richer Smith
In July of 2015, Bob and I put our belongings into a storage unit and left Iowa City, anticipating that we would be homeless for a maximum of 5 months. Well, we were wrong. It has been almost 3 years of living out of a suitcase and being very dependent on the next generous offer […]
What is Sin?
Dan Schrock
The Psalm in front of us is one of the main penitential psalms in the Bible. Jews and Christians throughout history have often turned to Psalm 51 whenever we want to express our own personal sinfulness to God. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. According to your abundant mercy, blot […]
Humbly, Fervently Draw Near
Mag Richer Smith
A prayer from Paul to the Church at Ephesus goes something like this: “I pray that you may be given the spirit of wisdom & vision, so that the eyes of your hearts may be illumined, & you will KNOW the Hope to which you have been called.” A prayer from St Francis begins: Almighty, […]
The Threat of Resurrection
Dan Schrock
Imagine that early last week, one of your best friends died. Let’s call her Tilly Jane. When Tilly Jane died, the usual things happened. The attending doctor signed her death certificate. The funeral home sent her body over to Elkhart for cremation. And yesterday afternoon, friends and family gathered from far and wide for Tilly […]
Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb
Joanne Gallardo
I like to think I’m pretty familiar with the women of the Bible. From Ruth, to Deborah, to Tamar, and even Shiphrah and Puah, I’ve read these stories. I know these stories. I’ve thought a lot about these stories. I like to think that I reference them often. And I know that the Black church […]
Wild Peace
Mag Richer Smith
I think was in 4th grade when the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred, and I remember vividly overhearing my parents ask each other if this was the beginning of WW3. My heart froze. And after that my fear increased. It was the era when people were building fall-out shelters, and we had regular drills at school […]
Talking about LGBTQ Inclusion
Dan Schrock
This afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00, our congregation begins a formal process to explore the possibility of becoming a more welcoming church to the LGBTQ community. The Spiritual Leadership Team, or SLT, is planning 3 of these Sunday afternoon conversations, one today, one in April, and one in May. No one on the SLT knows […]
Wild Courage
Mag Richer Smith
Today we are in the wilderness with the people who’ve been liberated! With those who have been FREED … With those whom God has FED everyday for forty years, With those who have been trusting the CLOUD of Presence to be out ahead and lead into the PROMISE. We are here with these who’ve stayed […]
Getting Angry with Jesus
Joanne Gallardo
I both love and hate being angry. Since the election of our 45th president, I find I spend a disproportionate amount of my time outraged. Since the Me Too movement, I also find I spend a lot of my time outraged. And for every mass shooting that comes into our consciousness every few months or […]
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