Beloved Community

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 13, 2026

When the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s, it found a powerful champion in Martin Luther King Jr., who drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau. Ghandi successfully used nonviolent resistance to free India from British colonial rule, and Henry David Thoreau coined the phrase "Civil Disobedience," arguing that individuals have a moral duty to refuse cooperation with unjust laws. King advocated for nonviolent resistance as a transformative force for justice and equality. His philosophy centered on love, moral courage, and disrupting unjust systems—not through hatred or violence, but through the redemptive power of unearned suffering.



King's approach was far from passive. Through boycotts, marches, and civil disobedience, he actively resisted evil while refusing to humiliate opponents. His goal was to defeat injustice itself, not the people perpetuating it, and to awaken understanding that could convert adversaries into allies. This courageous method aimed to create what King called the "Beloved Community"—a society built on reconciliation and mutual respect.


On Sunday, we will remember MLK's legacy and consider how we can continue building beloved community through our own peaceful revolution.

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes February 23, 2026
Join us this Sunday as we embark on a transformative journey during Lent—our season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. This year, our theme is "Be Here. Be You. Belong." Our world is filled with distractions pulling us in every direction, so we often miss the profound significance of simply being present. This week, we will explore what it means to Be Here Now, to pause and embrace the moment as we deepen our connection with God. Together, we will delve into the wisdom of Brother Lawrence, whose insights on practicing the presence of God turned everyday tasks into sacred experiences. Let’s rediscover the holiness in the mundane and learn how to cultivate a spirit of mindfulness in our lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect, grow, and engage more deeply with your faith. Join us as we journey together towards Easter, finding our place in God’s presence. See you Sunday!
By Matthew Vire February 23, 2026
As we continue our journey through Paths to Belonging, David Wilcox’s "The Beautiful" offers a tender companion for times we feel overwhelmed and weary. David opens the song in a museum, an unexpected refuge where beauty offers a kind of shelter from a world that feels tragic and too heavy to hold. He names a truth many of us carry: that in the “ocean deep,” when the waves of sorrow or fear rise, our most dearly-held hopes and even our faith can feel thin. And he reminds us that beauty–quiet, ordinary, human beauty–can help steady us. A smile from a stranger, a moment of kindness, a glimpse of light and shadow can warm the heart enough to keep going. We invite you to listen and spend a few moments reflecting on the feelings, images, and memories the song evokes in you. Remember you are not alone and that belonging reveals itself in simple, grace-filled moments of human connection and Divine presence.
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The Garden welcomes Josh Riddick for a message on justice, faith, and how Jesus’ desert journey offers courage and clarity for our moment.
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To Be Known, Chosen, and Loved
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A powerful call to action from a local vigil: “Never Again” is now. Stand up for dignity, justice, and immigrant rights in Indianapolis.
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With The Universal Christ , Richard Rohr presents a vision of Christ not as a figure confined to Jesus alone or to Christianity, but as the eternal, cosmic presence of God permeating all creation from the beginning. Rohr distinguishes between Jesus (the historical person) and Christ (the divine reality revealed through Jesus). He argues that Jesus is the “first incarnation,” present in every person, place, and particle of the universe. Drawing on Scripture—especially John 1, Colossians 1, and Paul—along with early Christian mystics and contemporary science, Rohr reframes salvation. Rather than describing it as rescue from a fallen world, he presents salvation as awakening to the divine presence already within and among us. This universal, incarnational vision invites a way of life grounded in compassion, solidarity with suffering, and participation in the healing and transformation of the whole world. Rohr’s approach also offers a theological grounding that aligns with The Garden’s emphasis on finding the sacred in the ordinary and celebrating a universal spiritual nature. Come explore this with us Sunday at The Garden.
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A stirring reflection on the Black National Anthem’s enduring message of hope, unity, and the pursuit of freedom—honoring Black History Month through song and story.
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Reflections on a community celebration honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with powerful storytelling, music, and recognition of local justice work, hosted by northside Indianapolis Shalom Zone churches.
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A gentle reflection on the spiritual practice of stillness—inviting readers to pause, notice, and embrace the quiet beauty of going nowhere during Lent.
By Betty Brandt January 27, 2026
Learning to Greet the Day With Wonder