Maybe doubt is necessary for greater spiritual exploration. Vargus brings us an original poem that explores this theme.

Jesus promises us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. What does this all mean?

Western Christianity has leaned quite heavily on condemnation. Daniel sees judgment and discernment as part of a similar process. How do these things help us serve love?

In the Western world, so much of our spirituality is driven by our brains. We've also been conditioned to ignore the messages our body sends us. What if a deeper connection with our spiritual lives depends on paying attention to our bodies? After all, we are people who believe that "the word became flesh"

For First Word, Kay spoke to us about her work organizing the "first word" element of our meetings for worship. How might this become an integral part of our meetings for worship again?

Julius McGee, a professor of sociology from Portland State University shares with us some of his research showing the connection between the use of land, slavery, and food justice.

For the message, Amanda read scripture passages Luke 15:20 and 1 John 2:21 and related the hero/heroine's journey that resolves by coming home. She used the image of God as an HGTV host, taking our worn inward dwellings and restoring them into a sacred space that is our true selves. Queries: In what ways does the hero/heroine's journey resonate with your experience? How does the idea of home cultivate your inward experience? How do others' ideas of home connect with you?

When the plagues descended on Egypt we read that Pharaoh continually hardened his heart to the plight of the people. For his message, Stephen compared this to how time and again, as gun violence erupts in our schools, leaders and government officials speak words of regret, yet hearts are hardened, and real change does not occur. He asked, How have we hardened our hearts to modern plagues, and why? Do we shut out what we feel powerless to change? How do we soften our hearts to each other and to future generations?

A family settles in for dinner, but they are interrupted by a knock at the door. One of the three children of the household goes to answer it and finds a beggar on the other side. How does the child respond? Kevin brings us a parable of sorts and invites us into wondering about gifts and charity.

A few weekends ago Kristine was feeling completely overwhelmed. She put on an album by the Quaker singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer and was immediately soothed by the words "You Can Do this Hard Thing." What does it look like to follow a leading and what happens when that leading feels like a bit too much?