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.
Join us this Sunday for a hope‑filled gathering as we pause to celebrate where The Garden has been and dream boldly about where God is leading us next. It’s a moment to breathe, to remember, and to imagine—together. We’ll look back on our first season in our new home at FCIndy, celebrating the programs, services, and community partnerships that have helped us take root and flourish. We’ll revisit the seeds planted during our 2025 Greenhouse Challenge and share a special announcement you won't want to miss: a new initiative designed to spark creativity, deepen connection, and nurture growth in the year ahead. Through shared visioning and prayer, let's listen for God’s whisper and step into the future with courage, curiosity, and mindful, determined joy. Come be part of this uplifting service "Let's Get Started" for the journey still unfolding.
Today, with GPS at our fingertips, most of us rarely unfold a map—let alone look up to the stars. We navigate by screens that pull our attention downward, keeping our focus just a few inches from our faces. This Sunday, we’ll take a step back in time to when travelers—like the Magi—lifted their eyes to the night sky for direction and inspiration. As we enter the season of Epiphany, we’ll explore what it means to look up again, to notice the light around us, and to follow the kinds of “stars” that guide us toward meaning, connection, and the places that feel most sacred in our lives. Join us Sunday for “Finding Our Way.”
A New Page, A New Dawn
This Christmas Eve, First Congregational Church of Indy and The Garden come together to celebrate the joy and wonder of Jesus’ birth in this shared service. We are delighted to join voices and hearts for this special evening. The service will weave together gifts of both congregations—music, prayer, readings, and storytelling—in a spirit of unity and welcome. Whether you are part of FCIndy or The Garden, or simply seeking a place to experience the wonder of Christmas, we welcome you as we celebrate the light that shines in the darkness and the hope that brings us together.
This Sunday is the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. On this Longest Night, we pause to remember that God is with us through it all. From moments of awe and beauty to times of sickness and grief, we are never alone. This season brings with it all kinds of feelings. Sometimes it helps to acknowledge that the twinkling lights and merry songs of Christmas can also deepen the shadows for those coping with grief, pain, fear, or loss. It is not always easy to hear “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!” and other cheerful tunes when we may be personally struggling. On Sunday, we will conclude our Advent journey with the theme “Do You Feel What I Feel?” Together, we’ll recognize that we each come to this season with different emotions and experiences. Let’s pause and explore how we can support and care for one another, knowing that we all arrive here from different places and with different stories. Join us for “Do You Feel What I Feel?”
Join us this Advent season for a thought-provoking sermon titled "Do You See Who I See?" as we explore the profound theme of immigration through the lens of faith. Together, we'll revisit the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, noting parallels to the experiences of immigrants today. We will consider the importance of seeing beyond borders and recognizing the dignity and humanity in every individual. Prepare to open your hearts and minds as we embrace the spirit of compassion and understanding this Advent, celebrating the sacred diversity of God's creation. In reflecting on these timeless truths, we will be challenged to live out our faith in ways that welcome the stranger and extend hospitality to all. May this gathering remind us that the Advent story is not only about waiting, but also about acting with courage and love in our communities. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen our faith and engage with the world around us.
Listening for God’s song in the season
Light in Unexpected Places
In this Sunday’s service, we’ll reflect together on how our journey as a church--full of movement, growth, and change—-mirrors God’s ongoing work in each of our lives. Through three short messages, we will celebrate the many ways that nurturing our spiritual community and sharing God’s blessings can feed not only our own souls but also the hearts of those around us. As we bring this year’s stewardship campaign to a close, we invite you to consider how your gifts of time, talent, and resources help The Garden continue to flourish. Stewardship is not only about sustaining our church; it is about embodying God’s love in action—-on the go, in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Together we create a community where generosity and compassion ripple outward, touching lives far beyond our walls. Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on how we can keep growing, contributing, and carrying God’s love into the world. We look forward to celebrating our shared mission and the joy and lasting power of giving with you this Sunday at The Garden.
How hugs, service, and fellowship shaped one Gardener’s spiritual journey
