The Parish Podcast

This year, the "joy" week in Advent includes a passage from the prophet Zephaniah. The beautiful and uplifting words console us, but when we set them against the backdrop of life at the time, they take on deeper meaning. In this podcast, we consider how Zephaniah's words of joy fall right in the middle of the mess, and how we might look then for Jesus adventing in to the midst of all we'd prefer to exile.

Throughout this semester, we've explored the invitation from Jesus to build a big enough table for the Great Thanksgiving. This week (in a rare "full/extended gathering" edition of the podcast), we explore the mystery and miracle of the Eucharist - what it means, why it matters, and why our entire gathering each week culminates at the Table. Against the backdrop of Advent's call to Peace, we remember Jesus in the Center of our worshiping community.

As the season of Advent begins, we lean into Hope. In today's podcast, Luke Warner untangles a difficult passage from Luke 21. Here, the sky is literally falling. But Jesus invites us to behold restoration, reconciliation, re-creation in the midst of chaos and catastrophe. Rather than an end, this is the birthing of a new beginning.

Today we explore the final "leg" of our big enough table - the charismatic traditions in the Church that help us lean into a Spirit-dependent life. We'll look at both the gifts and potential pitfalls of these traditions and how we might make space for a faith that is radically responsive to the Holy Spirit while remaining rooted in cruciform love and sacramental presence.

A Soul Care gathering from the Kalen Center on October 17, 2021. This morning we begin the final leg of our series, "Watch How I Do It."

This week Keith Jennings leads us in an exploration of the connections between active contemplation and contemplative action, that we might become people who work with Jesus for the flourishing, justice, and peace of the world.

Jesus demonstrates a life radically dependent on His Father and invites us to follow suit. "I only do what I see my Father doing," he says. What if we took this example seriously? And how might we discern direction in the midst of daily life? This too, is part of Jesus' invitation to work with him in cultivating a Kingdom-directed life.

As we enter the "Work with Me" section of our Fall sermon series, John Ott guides us in an exploration of discerning vocation. How can we determine the work God has for us, versus what our ego/ethical expectations require of us? How can we settle into Jesus' promise of a light, well-fitting yoke?

This week, we reflect on the shaping power of the influences and atmospheres around us. What is forming our understanding of what is true and good? What are we being taught to love? We assess our use of media and practice soul care  to meet Jesus amidst the ongoing pandemic. Use the handout below for your own time of journaling practice and to follow along.

Building on last week's introduction, we dive deeper into the cultivation of a prayer-filled life. This time we're led by special guests Larry & Jody Green from Cloud Walk and Evan Chasteen from the ThinSpace podcast. After a casual conversation on prayer, Larry leads us in an imaginative exercise to Be with Jesus.