Let's be honest, most of what the church has taught us about sexual ethics is trash.

 

We're over it.

 

This week, we start fresh! Let's form a new and healthier attitude towards faith and sex - one that is sex positive, queer-informed, feminist, and Biblical.

In the church, sexuality gets reduced to some pretty narrow, heteronormative definitions. This leaves out a lot of sexual expression, and sets the stage for lots of church kids getting very creative so that ']they can remain "pure" in the eyes of God.

This week we'll delve deep into the steamiest scriptures, revisit what it means to be sexual, and find out how physical connection can be holy, Biblical, and not confined to the definitions or even relationships that we've been told about in church.

True love is mutual, but purity and #TrueLoveWaits culture wants to replace generous mutuality with patriarchy and the oppression of women.

 

"men and women are different but equal" 

"women are helpmates, men heads of household" 

"wives and husbands both submit to each other, but…. differently" 

 

Purity culture not only creates gendered hierarchy within relationships, it also makes women and girls responsible for managing the sexuality, fantasy life, and violence of boys and men.

 

But what does the Bible *actually* have to say about this? Turns out Jesus was a radical feminist, and much of what he had to say about lust, adultery, and purity is actually about turning the tables to put a fair share of responsibility back on men.

 

Only with true equality can people of all genders find Biblical, Godly love.

It's complicated.

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Those of us who grew up in the church ended up with some pretty messed up ideas about sex, sin, and intimacy. Whether you grew up in the era of #TrueLoveWaits, had a purity ring, or even just experienced the purity-culture-light version of general sex negativity, you may have some unlearning to do when it comes to the Bible, faith, and sexuality. ​​​​​​​​

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Join us this Sunday as we kick off our new summer series, Pure Trash: putting purity culture where it belongs. We'll talk about where it all came from, what the Bible (and Jesus!) *actually* have to say about sexuality, and how to form a new and healthier attitude towards faith and sex - one that is sex positive, queer-informed, feminist, and Biblical. ​​​​​​​​

Sometimes being transgressive is an act of holiness.

 

This pride weekend, come hear about the time King David (notoriously fluid in his sexuality and gender expression) danced nearly naked through the streets as both a celebration and a protest, and how modern pride paraders and queer activists are inheritors of that that courageous Bibilical demonstration of turning mourning into dancing.

Ever feel like the best party would be just a nice, long, nap?

 

When party culture is tied to hustle culture, we think every party should be a banger. But in God’s economy, rest is a critical part of a celebratory life. Come learn how taking it slow, creating space for rest, and collaborating to do nothing at all can dismantle systems of oppression.

What happens when someone is late to the party?

 

Liberation for all is the theme of the kingdom party, so when someone shows up late, it usually means they have a history of participating in harm. Are we ready to receive folks who truly repent of supremacy culture and oppression? Or are we unwilling to throw them the party that scripture says they (and we) deserve?

Party planning: stressful nightmare or gratifying project?

 

For some of us, the fun is in the prep work - planning everything just so, imagining how it all will go, and providing the perfect environment for the people we love. For others, all the pressure and details become awful distractions, keeping us from truly enjoying the celebration.

 

What does any of this have to do with Jesus? No matter how you prepare, we’re all called to be fully present (alive, even!) to the party atmosphere, to the love that surrounds us, and to Jesus who is at the heart of every good party. Lean in, because this party is just getting warmed up!

Why is gathering to eat so important to following Jesus, and what can we do to add more love (and more feasting!) to our faith lives?

 

The Bible contains instructions for all kinds of feasts and festivals, but one stands out for followers of Jesus - the communion meal. In the early days of the church, this was not just wafers and a sip of wine, but a lavish meal called a Love Feast.

 

Come learn why that was so important then, and how we can build love feasting back into our faith and our community.