What does it mean to choose joy in a world that feels anything but joyful? In this Sunday Gathering message, Emily Perry explores the practice of claiming joy not as escapism, but as a spiritual act of defiance against fear, suffering, and ego-based narratives. Drawing from A Course in Miracles and the legacy of great nonviolent movements—from Fannie Lou Hamer to Viktor Frankl to Dietrich Bonhoeffer—Emily shares how joy becomes a healing force when rooted in love and our identity as God’s beloved. You’ll learn:

• Why the Course calls joy your function and a sign of spiritual maturity

• How resistance through joy echoes the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount

• What “Black joy” reveals about reclaiming identity and sacred dignity

• How to cultivate joy even in the midst of pain, loss, or injustice

Emily's sermon reminds us that joy is more than a feeling—it’s a way of standing with God, even in the storm.

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