Janeen leads us through our second week of advent by talking about peace and how we give current meaning to an old idea.

Advent has begun! Mike talked about Christmas lights, the possibility for hope, it’s counterpart despair and how, in the reality of the spectrum of life, we can and should take the time to illuminate both (and everything in-between).

Steven and Mike continue the conversation from last week about what church is, what we project onto it and how to embody a reality rather than simply believe in one.

Mike talks about how it's up to us as individuals to manifest the passions we have. And how believing in Christ can be the very thing preventing us from manifesting Christ.

Wes, Taylor, Megan and Aaron talk about what the Branches five words mean to them!

Announcements included to keep everyone up to speed! Linda gives an update on finances. Mike talks on the dangers of elevated turkey, some quotes and what a conversation with his 91 year old grandfather made him realize.

Mike discusses some of the swirl of his current season and reflects on one thing those of us who talk about everything being spiritual often forget — ourselves.

Aaron talks a bit about Branches finances and where they stand at the moment. Mike shares a poem by Ross Gay and invites everyone to mingle in gratitude as a means of breaking our hearts open for others.

Meredith gives an update from the board about Mike's role. Mike talks about a couple golf balls he found along the Spokane river and what they point toward.

Mike talked about some chili dip he buried in the backyard of a house he lived in during his college years. And how that buried chili dip and its elusiveness is representative of our ever-increasing difficulty to hear and learn and be with people and places different than our own niche ideological camps. And how the role of a Christ centered community, especially in times of polarization, is to curate spaces for people of all walks of life to eat fish and bread together.