Zao Church Collective

Guest sermon by Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, Pastor at Union Church Boston

Loving self (body) is a process of unlearning… self criticism, self hate, self loathing - it is the rejection of how we’ve been shaped by society. Being beloved of God and the body of Christ is accompanied by transformation of the mind.

Guest sermon by Cor Christophe, Zao community member

We believe God created us and most of us claim, believe, and/or have been told that because God created us, our bodies are sacred/holy. But what does it mean to have a sacred body? Are all bodies truly sacred? And how do we care for our sacred body? Join us this Sunday as we explore these questions, and examine how we may attend to our sacred/holy Bodies that God created.

Guest sermon by Rev. Jason Butler

Our bodies represent a power but our question is always, “How will that power be used”? For good or not so much? When Jesus encounters the religious leaders he is facing strongmen who are oppressing the people. How does Jesus respond? And where are our bodies in this story?

Guest sermon by Bryan Minan, Zao community member

The love of God has always and will always be given and extended to us all. Especially to those communities who have been historically hurt, oppressed, and had religion weaponized against them. Join us for a message about that love that promises to always be there, from a community that wants to do the same.

Guest sermon by Rev. Victoria Sun Esparza

What do our scars tell us about God’s transformative work? What happens when our scars only remind us of our painful past? Join us as we talk about transformation, the story of our bodies, and what we do with the scars left behind.

Guest sermon by Rev. Tyler Sit, Pastor at New City Church

How do we cure pity in our society? What alternatives does the Bible offer to paternalistic charity? Join us to see how Jesus answered those questions!

Guest sermon by Rev. Ryan Wallace, Associate Pastor of Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville

The norms and values of capitalism are consistently at odds with the norms and values of the Gospel. Our economy conditions us to believe that all relationships are transactional, all things have a quantifiable market value, and all resources are limited. When we—consciously or unconsciously—buy into this way of thinking and acting, the roots of injustice and inequality grow deeper in our communities. But there’s another way. The norms and values of God’s economy of grace confront and contradict those of our human economy of greed. So…how do we uproot injustice in our economy? Where can we plant the seeds of God’s economy? And what difference can we make here and now?

Guest sermon by Rev. Afi Dobbins-Mays, Pastor at Solomon Community Temple United Methodist Church and the New St. James Community Church

In true Zao fashion, we are still celebrating PRIDE long past June! Join us for a sermon from Reverend Afi Dobbins-Mays, in celebration and honor of Pride month. It is a call for justice, love and unity in Christ!

Guest sermon by Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee

Stillness has a relationship with movement, just as the notes of a piece of jazz are punctuated by silence. As opposed to silence, stillness can be a frame for music, creativity, and teeming life. Stillness can serve as the ground for creativity, the rest that creates the next thing. Join us for this worship service that explores the relationship between rest and creativity.

Each 4th of July weekend, churches across the country wave flags and sing songs of patriotism. But is this commitment to national identity faithful? Or do we have other opportunities to celebrate alternative American histories that align less with colonizing empire and more with the Gospel message of freedom from oppression?