Let Freedom Ring
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • June 30, 2025
Freedom and Responsibility
On Friday, July 4, we will celebrate the 249th birthday of this great nation with picnics, parades, fireworks and terrified dogs. It’s the 4th of July –– a day dedicated to celebrating freedom. A day we remember our founders and the bold steps taken to establish a new nation.
On Sunday, July 6, we will consider how we each define freedom and reflect on the deeper meaning of freedom through the lens of faith and justice. Our theme, "Let Freedom Ring," invites you to explore the powerful words of Jesus as he explores the transformative truth that sets us free. Join us for a thought-provoking message that inspires action and ignites hope for a better future. Let freedom ring in our hearts and lives!

This Sunday, The Garden welcomes visionary composer and musician Ryan Lott, founder of the genre-defying band Son Lux. Known for his emotionally rich soundscapes and collaborations with artists like Mitski, David Byrne, and Paul Simon, Lott has scored major films including the recent Marvel blockbuster, Thunderbolts* , and the acclaimed Everything Everywhere All at Once , earning Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. In conversation with Richard Brendan, Ryan will share insights into his creative journey as we explore the transformative power of imagination. We hope to see you at our temporary venue—740 E 86th Street, Indianapolis—at 9 a.m. for “Celebrating the Creative Spirit.” Join us for a morning of inspiration, music, and meaningful conversation.

In "Together to Gather" after our first service at our temporary new venue, we enjoyed a look back to The Garden's beginning and its evolution over the past 30 years. Joleen House, who has been with The Garden since day one, shared some memories and a clip of Rev. Linda McCoy. In the clip, Linda spoke of her inspiration to create The Garden. A slide show of photos through the years followed, with discussion. Please note that we recorded this on the spur of the moment by request and a mobile phone -- while the band was doing its necessary break-down and load-out of our equipment from the space. Because of this, the audio may be difficult to hear at times.