Messages from the Mountaintop

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 13, 2025

Who's On Your Mt. Rushmore?

Once a month or so, my godson, CK, answers this question from one of his dad’s: “Who is on your Mount Rushmore right now?” He replies with the names of three or four people in his life that he looks up to, people he who support, mentor, or inspire him to be the best person he can be. Sometimes CK chooses people like the Dalai Lama, and other times includes a close peer, a teacher, or favorite artist. I like the question. Who’s faces would I like to see carved into stone? Which persons represent the best of humanity? Who inspires me?


As I am a pastor, it will surprise no one that Jesus would be on my Mount Rushmore. I might also include Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi. Each of these leaders shared ideals that changed the world. They all committed to nonviolence and peaceful resistance against injustice. Fearlessly, they called out abuses of power and worked to uplift all people—not just the wealthy and powerful. Their resolve to live by their ideals led them to endure; indeed, each was martyred for daring to preach unconditional love in action. They envisioned a world where all people could be treated with fairness and dignity, regardless of status. Through their words and actions, they demonstrated unwavering courage and a steadfast commitment to uplifting humanity.


I have been pondering a message series on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount and how we might explore them not only in a uniquely “Gardenesque” way, but also in a contemporary context. What do they mean to us in this moment in time? 


Mount Rushmore and the Sermon on the Mount are two landmarks that, at first glance, may seem un-connected. One is a literal monument, looming over the Black Hills, sculpted with the intent to honor figures who shaped a nation. The other represents a message that would change the world, delivered not in stone but in words—a call to live with humility, compassion, and love. Both ask us to reflect: Who do we look up to? What ideals do we want to carve into our lives?


When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, he wasn’t building a monument but offering a blueprint for a world where the poor in spirit find strength, the peacemakers find honor and respect, and those who hunger for justice are satiated. The message was not just a sermon—it was an invitation.


As I think about who would be on my personal Mount Rushmore, I ask myself: How do these ideals inspire me today? More importantly, how can they move us—not just to admire them, but to live them? I believe in the end it is not about who we honor in stone, but who we remember for the impact they made in the lives of others. It’s about how we contribute to their loving legacy through our actions, through the way we live, the way we vote, and the way we treat each other.



So—-who is on your Mount Rushmore? And how might the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount shape your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to make?

"Livin’ On A Prayer" 

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child & Richard Sambora

Lyrics © Bon Jovi Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Aggressive Music, Universal Polygram Int. Publishing Inc.


"Down On Me"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Janis Joplin

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing


"God Is Good"

Sung by John McClain

Written by Jonathan Caleb McReynolds


If you're interested in the First Nations Bible translation mentioned in today's service, you can find it here.


The book of poetry Carolyn mentions in the service is What Narcissism Means to Me by Tony Hoagland

Learning from the Mystics: A Pure Heart

By Rev. Dr. Brenda Freije • August 18, 2026
What if Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” are not about who gets to see God someday, but an invitation to learn how to see God now? The great Christian mystics believed that the heart is more than the center of our emotions. It is an “organ of spiritual perception,” a way of seeing beneath the surface of things into the deeper reality of God’s presence. Richard Rohr says this is what mysticism is really about. Mystics are not spiritual elites who have strange or extraordinary experiences. They are people who have learned to go beneath the surface and discover the “connected core of reality.” The result is not simply a different experience of God; it is a different way of seeing everything. They begin to see grace in all things and the deep connections between all things—seeing a neighbor instead of a stranger, a human being instead of an enemy, sacred creation instead of commodities, connection instead of separation, and Divine Presence where we previously assumed God was absent. And that gives us perhaps the most important test of genuine mystical spirituality: Are we becoming more loving? The goal of contemplative practice is not extraordinary spiritual experiences. Its fruit is a growing capacity for compassion, generosity, freedom, and love—a different way of being in the world. Let's explore what Jesus might mean by a “pure heart,” what keeps us from seeing clearly, how learning from the mystics and their practices can help us awaken to a God who may be much closer than we realize, and how all of this might enable us to act in the world with greater peace, hope, and clarity.

Mother Love, Mother Loss

By Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW • August 10, 2026
The relationship we have with our mothers is one of the most meaningful in our lives. Sometimes sweet, sometimes difficult…or worse…but always full of complexity. And researchers have determined that this most significant of relationships actually begins in the womb. It’s the template where we first learn about love, whether we were fortunate to have loving mothers, or mothers who sadly were unable to love us as we needed and deserved. This primal, intense relationship continues throughout our lives, influencing and shaping who we become and how we relate to others as we journey through on our own paths. Is it any wonder then that the death of our mothers is one of the most impactful losses that we will experience? And yet, even after her death, it’s possible to have a continuing conversation and relationship with her…with her gifts and her flaws…that allows for connection and the possibility of repair and forgiveness. This Sunday, please join us as we explore the joys, sorrows, and possibilities of the eternal bond between mother and child. Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW, brings 37 years of clinical social work experience, including work in end-of-life care and advanced bereavement training. She specializes in grief in all its forms. Joy returns to The Garden on Thursday, September 3 for Debunking the Myths of Grief.

It's All Fun & Games

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • August 4, 2026
On the Importance of Play

Joyspan

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 29, 2026
Sometimes, joy is the last thing on the list. Bills pile up, plans fall through, the news doesn't help — and "just be joyful" can start to feel like one more thing at which we're failing. This Sunday, we're taking a closer look at joy. We're not interested in the fake-it-till-you-make-it or the just-look-on-the-bright-side kind, but something sturdier. Nehemiah 8:10 puts it simply: the joy of the Lord is our strength. It is not a mood, and it is not a performance, but a strength we can lean on. It isn't a denial of pain, sorrow, or other distress, but may offer a path through. Dr. Kerry Burnight makes a related case in her recent book Joyspan — that a good life has less to do with how long we live than with how much joy we let ourselves experience along the way. Join us Sunday as we explore Joy, and what can happen when we open ourselves to it no matter our circumstances.

The Art of Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 21, 2026
How does a community fight loneliness? We'll explore our grant-funded work, what's working, and how it echoes the community-building ministry.

The Fine Print: The Bible

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 13, 2026
As a sacred and revered text, the Bible exerts tremendous influence on our lives. Notwithstanding our constitutional separation of church and state, its impact reverberates through our politics, morality, and spirituality. Yet, while widely respected and treasured, the Bible’s influence—or rather, its interpretation by those with power and resources and the desire to make other people live by their beliefs—has been leveraged to justify slavery, vilify LGBTQ+ people, elevate men over women, and divide rather than unite. This week, we will slow down to look past those historical misuses. Instead, we’ll dig directly into the timeless truths and teachings within the Bible that offer guidance for our faith and inspiration for our daily choices.

Adventures with Moses Day 3

By Lea Ann Koekenberg • July 11, 2026
God Provides, God Protects, God Leads

The Fine Print: The U.S. Constitution

July 6, 2026
Explore the U.S. Constitution's relevance today. Join us for insights on its principles & impact on society.

The Fine Print: The Declaration of Independence

June 29, 2026
We often hear the phrase, "Make sure you read the fine print," as we navigate the complexities of daily life. Whether it's the Constitution, the Bible, or even the manual for our computers, there's a wealth of fine print that tends to be skimmed over, misinterpreted, or entirely overlooked. Yet these details often hold the key to understanding the bigger picture and guiding us through life's challenges. This week, we're excited to launch a three-week series titled "The Fine Print." Over the next few Sundays, we'll take a closer look at some of the most important documents that shape our lives and values. Week 1: We'll explore The Declaration of Independence—a powerful statement of freedom and the rights of individuals that still resonates today. Week 2: Our focus shifts to The Constitution, examining its vital principles and how they continue to influence our society. Week 3: We'll conclude with a deep dive into The Bible, uncovering the profound truths and teachings that guide our faith and actions. Each message will stand on its own, so if you happen to miss one, rest assured you can still enjoy and engage with the others — though we'd love to have you for the whole series. Join us this Sunday for The Fine Print—a journey that promises to deepen our understanding and appreciation of these foundational texts. Together, we'll discover how the details within these documents can illuminate our paths and enrich our lives. You won't want to miss it!

Blessed to Give

June 23, 2026
We have often heard the words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The phrase is so well-known that many people don't even realize it is found in the Bible (Acts 20:35). So, is it just a cliché, or does God truly do something in the heart of a giving person—something that blesses both them and the world in which they live? Research shows that this is no mere platitude. Our brains respond to generosity by triggering a significant positive feedback loop when we practice, receive, or even simply witness giving in action. In a 2008 study, researchers found that people who spent money on others reported a notably higher uptick in happiness than those who spent it on themselves. Interestingly, this difference had nothing to do with how much they spent, but rather the direction of their spending. Giving really does benefit everyone—the giver, the receiver, and the witness—and the effect ripples outward. And it’s not just about monetary gifts, but also gifts of kindness and service. What we do, and how we give, truly matters. Join us Sunday as we explore how God turns giving into the blessing of receiving.