Everything In Between – Work and Rest (3.23.25)
Janelle offers insight into Luke 13 – the story of the fig tree. It’s a story filled with tension, a call, and hope.
Entries by Chris
Finding Our Footing
In this moment of great upheaval, we need each other to help us stand up and find our way forward. We’re holding three conversations on what a Christian response might be to the first 100 days of the current administration. So much has changed — too much to keep track of — yet we must […]
Everything In Between – Action and Contemplation (3.16.25)
Week two considers Luke 10:37-42 – a story of sibling tension, which often leads us to conclude that one was right (Mary) and the other (wrong). But is it that simple? We consider what they have to teach us about two absolutely critical elements for those following the way of Jesus: action and contemplation
Our Core Value of Inclusivity – 2.23.25
All podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple podcasts. Our second Group Sunday (of three) begins with a sharing of our fundraising total and how it connects to our core values – especially that of Inclusivity.
Refugee Resettlement – 2.16.25
February 16 was a “Group Sunday”, meaning we began together with a time of reflection and prayer and then everyone moved into various groups for the remainder of the morning. The recording is of that reflection time. We consider our history with refugee resettlement, recent actions of the Trump administration, and action steps we can […]
Resilience – Week 2 (2.9.25)
Our second and final week (for now) in this series on resilience, we consider the gift of beauty. Beauty is not a nice add on but something we need. It invokes awe and wonder, which draws us together and helps connect us to those things that are bigger.
Resilience – Week 1 (2.2.25)
We take a couple of weeks in between series to consider tools we will need to access in order to live a life of love without burnout. The first week leans into the gift of music – a powerful, often taken for granted tool that can draw us together, meeting us in every type of […]
Understanding and Integrating Our Emotions – Week 3 (1.26.25)
Our third week included time for practicing co-regulation exercises. We’ve edited the podcast, cutting out the larger portions of silence in which the congregation was practicing these exercises. We invite you to find someone to join you in these practices and hit pause at the appropriate moments.
Understanding and Integrating Our Emotions – Week 2 (1.19.25)
Guest preacher: Bethany Ackley DeBlaay, licensed therapist (MA, LLP, SEP) Week 2 invites us to consider that we are distress managers, doing what we can (often unconsciously) to avoid what we perceive as uncomfortable, difficult or painful. As a result, when we grow up learning that certain emotions are bad (or worse, sinful), we will […]
Fabulous February Fundraiser
Step 1: Purchase your favorite squares! Fundraiser starts February 12 @ 6PM Squares are purchased first come first serve by going to the FB Event Page. Do you have a favorite number, a child’s birthdate, anniversary? Pick as many numbers as you want! We have squares numbered from 1 to 125, with each square priced […]
Understanding and Integrating Our Emotions – Week 1 (1.12.25)
In the first week of a three week series, licensed therapist Bethany Ackley DeBlaay (MA, LLP, SEP) invites us to see our emotions as hardwired, autonomic responses to the world around us. If we are to integrate our emotions, we first need to understand that they are automatically happening all the time, whether we are […]
Words for the Beginning – Week 5 (1.5.25)
Epiphany brings the story of the Magi – a story reminding us that the way forward is rarely straight.
Understanding and Integrating Our Emotions
In November, we gathered at a local pizza shop to hear from a licensed therapist on how we might better understand and integrate our emotions. We had a lot of great feedback, but we also knew we had just scratched the surface. In response, we’re taking part of time during three Sundays in January to […]
Words for the Beginning – Week 3 (12.15.24)
This week, Elliot reflects on John the Baptist’s words, as well as research from the book, Tribal (written by Michael Morris) as we consider the good that is ours to do.
Words for the Beginning – Week 2 (12.8.24)
We Can’t Go Alone Advent – Week 2 A look at Ruth 1 – a reminder that we meant to walk through this life together, which is a choice of both doggedly moving toward and graciously accepting mutuality.
Words for the Beginning – Week 1 (12.1.24)
Week 1: You are A Blessing Luke 1:26-38
Made in the Image of God (11.24.24)
We return to foundational truths — truths that help us remember who we are to be in these season.
Back to Basics (11.17.24)
We return to foundational truths – truths that help us remember who we are to be in this season.
Faith and Politics – After an Election (11.10.24)
We use a familiar framework at The Branch as we process all of the things we might be feeling and thinking after the election.
How To Survive An Election (11.3.24)
With the election two days away, we are feeling the fraught-ness of it all. How do we traverse this week in a way that is hopeful, grounded and kind?
