In this Faith in Process Sunday’s Cool conversation from Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia, Pastor Harry Jarrett welcomes returning guest Audrey Svay. Audrey is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, a professional writing consultant, and an adjunct English professor, and she brings both pastoral wisdom and practical writing tools to the question so many of us are living right now: how do we carry grief with honesty, and still find rest?

Together, Harry and Audrey widen the definition of grief beyond death to include less visible losses like shifts in belief, changing communities, aging, retirement, and the quiet ache of losing roles and identity. They explore why many of us hesitate to name these losses as grief, and how our values can get tangled up in the roles we once held.

Audrey offers a gentle framework of “grief and rest” held in harmony, using the image of waves that come in and recede. You will hear concrete Sabbath practices for real life, including journaling to release what you are carrying, creating a simple ritual of “trust,” small daily moments of restoration, and writing exercises like letters you do not have to send. Harry reflects on the often overlooked Holy Saturday pause between Good Friday and Easter morning, and why that day matters when we are learning to live faithfully through loss.

Mentioned in this episode Audrey’s book: Between You and Me (available at Brethren Press)

Segment guide with timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Audrey Svay

00:03 What counts as grief: roles, identity, and less visible losses

00:07 Why rest and Sabbath matter for grief processing

00:09 Practical Sabbath in grief; Luke 23 and the forced pause of rest

00:11 Writing practices for sleep, trust, and letting go

00:13 The cup metaphor; why rest belongs on the to-do list

00:18 Holy Saturday and the blessing of the pause

00:21 Community, listening, and telling the grief story

00:25 Poetry, letters, and honest writing as grief work

00:31 Retirement, identity, and the body keeping score

00:35 Closing encouragement

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack. Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Faith in Process, Pastor Harry Jarrett and co-host Grayson Preece begin a new series exploring the core convictions of the Church of the Brethren through the book Let Our Joys Be Known. The first conversation centers on one powerful theme: radical obedience.

What would it take to follow Jesus if it were illegal?

Travel back to 1708, when Alexander Mack and seven others stepped into the Eder River in Germany to baptize one another as adults. This act was not just symbolic. It defied both church and state. In a world where infant baptism functioned as a civic registry tied to taxation and military service, choosing believer’s baptism carried real social, economic, and political consequences.

Harry and Grayson explore:

• Why this act of baptism was considered dangerous• How Pietism shaped the Brethren’s emphasis on Bible study, lay leadership, and lived faith• The tension between Luke 14 and Matthew’s call to love God above all• The cost of dissent in a church-state system• What “counting the cost” means for young adults today navigating money, vocation, and meaning

This conversation moves beyond history. It asks whether radical obedience still has a place in a culture of distraction and financial pressure. What does it mean to prioritize Christ when everything else competes for attention?

Recorded live at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia, this episode launches a 13-part series examining the theological callings that have shaped the Brethren for more than three centuries.

If your faith is still forming, still questioning, still becoming, you are in the right place.

Welcome to the process.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

How can followers of Jesus respond faithfully to immigration enforcement, social justice issues, and political division? In this powerful conversation, host Harry Jarrett sits down with Dr. Scott Holland, Professor Emeritus of Peace Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary, to explore what it means to be good neighbors in turbulent times.

Drawing inspiration from Fred Rogers’ ministry of neighborliness, Scott reframes activism as neighboring—a practice of loving our neighbors as ourselves, even when we disagree on solutions. The discussion tackles pressing questions: What does the way of Jesus look like amid ICE raids in Minneapolis? How do we cultivate a “democracy of the soul” in our divided democracy? How can we move beyond doctrine to create cultures of peace?

This episode offers no easy answers but provides thoughtful guidance for processing faith in the real world. Scott and Harry explore the tension between different visions of peace, the power of prophetic imagination, the importance of wonder and empathy, and practical ways to engage in peacemaking—from contacting representatives to being present with those who are threatened.

Whether you’re confused, concerned, or searching for faithful next steps, this conversation offers wisdom from the Church of the Brethren peace tradition, insights from thinkers like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Walt Whitman, and an invitation to continue “living the questions” together.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

Ego Consciousness vs. God Consciousness: A Conversation on Paradigm Shifts

What does it mean to truly embody God consciousness in our everyday lives? In this organic, unscripted conversation, hosts Harry and Millard dive deep into the contrasts between ego consciousness and God consciousness—exploring how Jesus modeled a nonviolent, loving, and persuasive way of being that stands apart from the dominant cultural paradigms we navigate today.

Millard frames the discussion around “the end times”—but not in the way you might expect. Instead of apocalyptic predictions, the conversation shifts to examining how we think, act, and relate to power and politics through the lens of faith. From the founding principles of the American republic to the challenges of living faithfully in a culture driven by self-interest and disinformation, the discussion raises critical questions about what it means to follow the way of Jesus in any political or social context.

Harry responds with his own perspective: that followers of Jesus are called to live as “salt and light” in every culture and system, embodying the timeless principles of the kingdom of God rather than pledging ultimate allegiance to any earthly nation or government. The conversation touches on virtue, shared facts, and whether America’s founding ideals align with—or fall short of—the kingdom Jesus proclaimed.

This episode is more conversational and exploratory than usual, so we’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment or email us with your reflections as you continue processing these themes in your own life.

Topics explored:

* Ego consciousness vs. God consciousness

* The nature of God as love and nonviolence

* Living out Jesus’ way in different political systems

* American civic principles and their relationship to faith

* The enduring nature of the kingdom of God

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode, host Harry Jarrett and producer Grayson Preece step into the spotlight to share their own faith journeys and how they each found their way to the Church of the Brethren.

Harry reveals his winding path through Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Pentecostal, and Mennonite traditions before discovering his deep family roots in the Brethren church—connections he never knew existed until his wife found his ancestors’ names in the Pleasant Valley Church graveyard. From new age spirituality in college to twenty years as a Mennonite pastor, Harry’s story culminates in a return to his Brethren heritage.

Grayson shares how he went from a childhood disconnected from church to finding authentic spiritual community at Camp Bethel, a Church of the Brethren camp. His experience as a camp counselor and his time at Bridgewater College shaped his understanding of faith as relational, accessible, and centered on community.

Together, they explore what drew them to the Church of the Brethren: the emphasis on belonging before believing, the peace tradition, the priesthood of all believers, and a welcoming spirit that invites people to process their faith together. They also discuss why they’re launching a new series on Brethren heritage and what makes this denomination unique in the broader Christian landscape.

Whether you’re curious about the Church of the Brethren, interested in different faith journeys, or simply enjoy honest conversations about spirituality, this episode offers an intimate introduction to the voices behind Faith in Process.

Episode Highlights:

* Harry’s surprising discovery of his Brethren family lineage

* How Camp Bethel transformed Grayson’s spiritual life

* The difference between “believe, behave, belong” and “belong, behave, believe”

* What makes the Church of the Brethren’s approach to peace and community distinctive

* Why faith is always in process, whether we realize it or not

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Faith in Process, Harry and Millard dive deep into Walter Brueggemann’s concept of “royal consciousness” and what it means for the church today. Drawing from Brueggemann’s book The Prophetic Imagination, they explore how empire creates a numbness in the populace—convincing people that the way things are is the way things must be.

Key Topics Discussed:

* Royal consciousness vs. prophetic imagination: How empires maintain power by numbing people to injustice and suffering

* Beyond individual tyrants: Why focusing on single leaders misses the systemic nature of empire consciousness

* Civil religion in America: How American civil religion has created its own form of royal consciousness from the nation’s founding

* The Church’s response: Are we as the church numb to what’s happening around us? How do we wake up?

* Jesus and empire: How Jesus addressed the Roman Empire and elite religious systems in his context

* Venezuela and peace theology: Wrestling with the Church of the Brethren’s peace position in light of recent events

* The need for honest conversation: Why transparent dialogue about messy, difficult topics is essential for transformation

Harry shares insights from his reflection paper on Chapter 5 (I said four, but it is five; oops) of The Prophetic Imagination and connects it with Dana Cassell’s class on addressing tyranny. Together, Harry and Millard consider what it means to practice prophetic imagination in an age dominated by empire consciousness—and how the Church of the Brethren motto “continuing the ministry of Jesus, simply, peacefully, together” offers a framework for response.

This conversation challenges listeners to ask: Are we numb? What alternative vision are we offering? And how do we help people imagine that something else is possible?

Referenced in this episode:

* The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

* Harry’s Substack article: “Beyond Herod Comparisons: Practicing Prophetic Imagination in the Age of Royal Consciousness.”

* Dana Cassell’s “Outwit” class on addressing tyranny

Join the conversation and continue processing your faith with us.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

I Can See the Change and the Improvement: A Conversation with Don Fitzkee

How do we know when change actually makes us more like Christ? In this episode, Harry sits down with Don Fitzkee—2026 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference moderator and pastor of worship at Lancaster Church of the Brethren—to explore this vital question.

Don shares insights from his recent Messenger magazine article “I Can See the Change and the Improvement,” examining how the Church of the Brethren has evolved over the decades and which changes represent genuine spiritual growth. From the shift from non-resistance to active peacemaking, to navigating the “second half of life” faith described by Richard Rohr, this conversation wrestles with what it means to honor tradition while remaining open to transformation.

The discussion touches on Brethren theology, the authority of Scripture, and how we interpret the Bible through a Christ-centered lens. Harry and Don also explore insights from N.T. Wright and Walter Brueggemann about reimagining old truths for new contexts—which forms the heart of Don’s “Imagine” conference theme for 2026.

In a powerful moment, Sunday school participant John shares about finding more authentic spirituality in AA meetings than in church, raising challenging questions about honesty, vulnerability, and what it really means to encounter God together.

This is a thoughtful exploration for anyone processing how faith traditions change, grow, and sometimes struggle to hold together when we see things differently.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Faith in Process, Pastor Harry Jarrett sits down with Lonnie Yoder to explore the question: How do we experience the divine in the midst of trauma, before, during, and after?

Lonnie helps us name trauma in its different forms, including single-event trauma, repeated trauma, and the way present events can trigger historical trauma. Together, Harry and Lonnie talk about the difference between a cause and a trigger, and what it looks like to walk with people who are still living with the effects of what happened.

The conversation draws on spiritual and theological frameworks like Ignatius and consolation and desolation, Brueggemann and orientation, disorientation, reorientation, and the cross and resurrection as a doorway into honest Christian reflection on suffering and God’s presence.

You will also hear practical wisdom for resilience and pastoral care: the grounding gift of weekly worship, scripture as a living resource (including Psalm 139), and a simple prayer practice shaped around divine presence, divine protection, and divine peace. Lonnie also reflects on cross-cultural lessons in healing, including a story from Jamaica about music as a way to process pain when words are not enough.

Listener note: this episode includes brief mention of gun violence and sexual abuse. Please listen with care.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Faith in Process, Harry and Millard sit down for a thoughtful and lively conversation on the process theology of Alfred North Whitehead. They explore three core ideas shaped by Whitehead’s work: that value is woven into the fabric of reality, that religion serves as the bridge between vision and action, and that God’s way in the world is persuasive love rather than coercive force. Concepts they both learned by listening to Tripp Fuller in his podcast episode “Finding Our Way Forward: How Whitehead Shows Us Religion as Life’ Creative Force”

Together, Harry and Millard unpack their understanding of Whitehead’s shift from mathematician to philosopher, the roots of process thought, and how these ideas intersect with contemplative Christianity, Genesis, John’s Gospel, and Richard Rohr’s vision of a Christ soaked universe. Along the way they wrestle with questions many faith seekers ask. Is God embedded within creation? What responsibility do humans carry in the unfolding of God’s future? Does God need our yes? How do these ideas hold up amid global suffering and injustice?

This episode offers an entry point into process theology through the lens of friendship, curiosity, and honest wondering. If you are exploring a more relational, dynamic understanding of God and creation, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Faith in Process, Pastor Harry welcomes David Radcliff—director of the New Community Project and author of the Covenant Bible Series study God’s Earth. Our Home. David’s life and ministry are rooted in the belief that creation care, justice, and faith belong together.

David shares how a formative trip to Central America reshaped his understanding of the world and launched him into decades of global service. We explore New Community Project’s partnerships in places like South Sudan, Nepal, Rwanda, Malawi, Borneo, and the Ecuadorian Amazon, where they support girls’ education, women’s empowerment, reforestation, and Indigenous defenders of threatened ecosystems.

Closer to home, David describes the work of NCP’s Sustainable Living Centers in Harrisonburg, VA, and Starksboro, VT, where sustainable living is practiced, taught, and shared through community engagement.

This conversation moves from ecological theology to climate realities, from global justice to personal transformation. David reminds us that hope grows when we “aim high and look low”—staying aware of the big challenges while finding inspiration in the small, faithful actions that change lives and landscapes.

Join us as we explore:• The spiritual foundations of creation care• Why justice and sustainability are inseparable• How experiential learning transforms lives• What faithful stewardship looks like in a changing world• How we keep hope alive when the challenges feel overwhelming

A rich and grounded episode for anyone seeking to follow Jesus in ways that heal the earth and uplift its most vulnerable people.

Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool

Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.

Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe