In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah wrap up the discussion about the Good News of the Christmas story – suggesting it’s for the “wise and the world” – individuals from outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition but are touched and inspired by the story due to their openness.  

It’s a discussion inspired by Matthew 2:1-12 – the story of the three wise men and King Herod, which provides an interesting juxtaposition of how people may react to revelatory news: by investigating and sharing or by denying and thwarting. Through their biblical studies, both female pastors are drawn the various reactions of the good news in this passage. And it makes them wonder which characters they are most like.

If this or other podcast episodes from First UMC San Diego give you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah wrap up the discussion about the Good News of the Christmas story – suggesting it’s for the “wise and the world” – individuals from outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition but are touched and inspired by the story due to their openness.  

It’s a discussion inspired by Matthew 2:1-12 – the story of the three wise men and King Herod, which provides an interesting juxtaposition of how people may react to revelatory news: by investigating and sharing or by denying and thwarting. Through their biblical studies, both female pastors are drawn the various reactions of the good news in this passage. And it makes them wonder which characters they are most like.

If this or other podcast episodes from First UMC San Diego give you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany continue talking about the Good News of the Christmas story – asking who it’s for, how we can connect it to our daily life, and how we can help it live on so it can fully develop into Jesus’ vision. This time, they’re looking through the lens of the laborers and dreamers – those living on the margins who are often overlooked and the last to receive good news.

It’s a discussion that’s inspired by Luke 2:8-20, when the angels appear to the shepherds, choosing these lowly laborers to be the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah. As with previous episodes, this digital Bible study is one that piques curiosity and challenges our preconceived notions of the Gospel story: Who it’s for, who we can learn it from, and how we might deliver it outside the walls of the church.

If this or other podcast episodes from First UMC San Diego give you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany continue talking about the Good News of the Christmas story – asking who it’s for, how we can connect it to our daily life, and how we can help it live on so it can fully develop into Jesus’ vision. This time, they’re looking through the lens of the laborers and dreamers – those living on the margins who are often overlooked and the last to receive good news.

It’s a discussion that’s inspired by Luke 2:8-20, when the angels appear to the shepherds, choosing these lowly laborers to be the first to hear about the birth of the Messiah. As with previous episodes, this digital Bible study is one that piques curiosity and challenges our preconceived notions of the Gospel story: Who it’s for, who we can learn it from, and how we might deliver it outside the walls of the church.

If this or other podcast episodes from First UMC San Diego give you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Brittany and Rev. Trudy continue the Advent season discussion, this time focusing parents coming home, as inspired by Luke 2:1-5. It’s the well-known story of soon-to-be-parents Joseph and Mary traveling home to Bethlehem as required by the mandatory government registration, commonly told during Christmas Eve services.

But the specificity of Luke’s retelling of the Christmas story isn’t entirely historically accurate when it comes to the timeline and tax census details … which can cause people to question the validity of the rest of the story.

So, Rev. Brittany and Rev. Trudy apply their biblical study knowledge to sort out the historical exaggerations, theological statements, and societal burdens of Joseph and Mary’s time to weave together Luke’s plausible intent for his approach to the story of the birth of Jesus.

Along the way, they ask how the Good News applies to Mary and Joseph and all others who are impacted by the arrival of a baby – especially when it brings a whole new set of financial, emotional, and societal stressors.

Get ready for a whole new take this well-known biblical passage! If it gives you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

In this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, Rev. Brittany and Rev. Trudy continue the Advent season discussion, this time focusing parents coming home, as inspired by Luke 2:1-5. It’s the well-known story of soon-to-be-parents Joseph and Mary traveling home to Bethlehem as required by the mandatory government registration, commonly told during Christmas Eve services.

But the specificity of Luke’s retelling of the Christmas story isn’t entirely historically accurate when it comes to the timeline and tax census details … which can cause people to question the validity of the rest of the story.

So, Rev. Brittany and Rev. Trudy apply their biblical study knowledge to sort out the historical exaggerations, theological statements, and societal burdens of Joseph and Mary’s time to weave together Luke’s plausible intent for his approach to the story of the birth of Jesus.

Along the way, they ask how the Good News applies to Mary and Joseph and all others who are impacted by the arrival of a baby – especially when it brings a whole new set of financial, emotional, and societal stressors.

Get ready for a whole new take this well-known biblical passage! If it gives you something you’d like to discuss with others, be sure to head over to Patreon where you can connect with our online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group. Either way, we invite you to think about these questions:

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

With Advent season upon us, we’re starting a special series on Perspectives Pastors Podcast, talking about the Good News – who is it for and how do we share it? In this first episode, the pastors are looking at children, through the eyes of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both of whom are pregnant in some unusual circumstances.

It’s a well-known story that can easily be overlooked. But when pausing to examine it more deeply, it reminds us that even in the most decisive and fragmented world, joy can come to us through what would ordinarily be thought of as an unfortunate circumstance.

Join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah as they discuss unexpected details that jumped out to them when they re-read this well-known passage of the Gospel of Luke, and how we can apply it to our lives today:

We’re so excited to experience this Advent season with you, and we hope this episode helps you approach it with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Here are some questions for you to ponder. We invite you to discuss them with each other with our Convergence group or to head over to our Patreon channel to talk about it online.

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry.

With Advent season upon us, we’re starting a special series on Perspectives Pastors Podcast, talking about the Good News – who is it for and how do we share it? In this first episode, the pastors are looking at children, through the eyes of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both of whom are pregnant in some unusual circumstances.

It’s a well-known story that can easily be overlooked. But when pausing to examine it more deeply, it reminds us that even in the most decisive and fragmented world, joy can come to us through what would ordinarily be thought of as an unfortunate circumstance.

Join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Hannah as they discuss unexpected details that jumped out to them when they re-read this well-known passage of the Gospel of Luke, and how we can apply it to our lives today:

We’re so excited to experience this Advent season with you, and we hope this episode helps you approach it with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Here are some questions for you to ponder. We invite you to discuss them with each other with our Convergence group or to head over to our Patreon channel to talk about it online.

What is Patreon?

Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry.

Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany join this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, continuing the series on A Life Worth Living, talking about Living Your Gratitude, based on Philippians 4:4-9. It’s a segment of Paul’s final letter to the church of Philippi, written while imprisoned and likely sentenced to death. But instead of being full of despair, he’s able to find joy during his intense persecution. It’s a passage that emphasized that no matter what we face in life, we should face it with thankfulness to God.

The timing of this discussion couldn’t have been better. It’s the week after the 2024 presidential election, when communities around the US are full of conflict and anxiety about future leaders and retribution toward those who step up and speak out.

Join the two pastors as they walk through Paul’s words, line by line, to bring in the historical and social context of what he was facing and to make sense of what it means to us today.

If you’d like to explore this topic more, we invite you to connect with others through our weekly Convergence discussion group, as you consider these questions:

Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany join this week’s Perspectives Pastors Podcast, continuing the series on A Life Worth Living, talking about Living Your Gratitude, based on Philippians 4:4-9. It’s a segment of Paul’s final letter to the church of Philippi, written while imprisoned and likely sentenced to death. But instead of being full of despair, he’s able to find joy during his intense persecution. It’s a passage that emphasized that no matter what we face in life, we should face it with thankfulness to God.

The timing of this discussion couldn’t have been better. It’s the week after the 2024 presidential election, when communities around the US are full of conflict and anxiety about future leaders and retribution toward those who step up and speak out.

Join the two pastors as they walk through Paul’s words, line by line, to bring in the historical and social context of what he was facing and to make sense of what it means to us today.

If you’d like to explore this topic more, we invite you to connect with others through our weekly Convergence discussion group, as you consider these questions: