As Pastor Arik reflects upon a busy weekend, he lifts up those that made the many church events a resounding success. Join him as he embraces a spirit of gratitude for all those who gave of their time and energy this week. 

As we celebrate Juneteenth today, this week Pastor Arik takes a look at the history of the holiday and why we need to hold the celebration of the day in tension with the sorrow of slavery. 

As PRIDE month begins, this week Pastor Arik looks at why this is such an important month to celebrate as a faith community. Join him as he looks at how far we have come and how much further we have left to go. 

This week, as Pastor Arik prepares for our first outdoor worship service of the year, he does a bit of reflecting on why he loves gardening and the process of watching things grow. Join him as he explores the parallels between growing a garden and tending to the garden of our soul. 

In preparation for the first meeting of our church book club later this week, on this episode Pastor Arik takes a look at the book of Job and the reason what it still remains relevant to us in our world, today. 

With Mother's Day approaching this weekend, this week Pastor Arik looks at why he uses the holiday as an opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives as a whole, and offers up two poems from incredible poets that speak to the power of women in the world. 

As Pastor Arik worked from a coffee shop to try to get past his writer's block, he experienced an interesting phenomenon. Join him as he explores what "sonder" is and how it is something that can help us be more mindful in our lives. 

This upcoming Sunday afternoon, Ankeny UCC will be hosting the Central Association's Spring Meeting, followed by the installation service for Pastor Arik. Join him this week as he looks at what an installation service is all about, and why he finds it so special. 

With Easter now behind us, this upcoming Sunday we will hear the story of doubting Thomas. Join Pastor Arik this week as he explores a different approach to the story, and why doubt is so important to us as people of faith. 

With Holy Week upon us, this week Pastor Arik shares one of his favorite poems by the poet Sh'maya, titled, "The Shattered Grave"