A Community Celebration of Dr. King’s Life and Vision

Betty Brandt • January 29, 2026

Carrying the Dream Forward: A Northside MLK Celebration

From the opening chords of the Black National Anthem to the final words of “We Shall Overcome,” the 175 people who gathered on January 19, 2026, at Allisonville Christian Church to celebrate the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. were moved to remember—and to take action.


Rev. Timothy Graham, Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, delivered the keynote address. He spoke candidly about his struggles as the only Black boy in a white school, the only Black boy in a white church, and the only Black boy on his sports teams. His loving adopted family could not shield him from the culture just outside their front door. Eventually, Rev. Graham turned to alcohol to ease the pain, leading him to AA, where he found his way back to himself and to a loving God. He went on to attend seminary and devote his life to serving the Lutheran Church and the wider community. His powerful story reminded the mostly white audience that beneath the polished exteriors of our Black siblings are long-lasting scars that deserve acknowledgment and honor.


Trinity Haven, an organization providing safe and affirming housing for LGBTQ+ young people, received the Drum Major for Freedom Annual Award. Jenni White, Executive Director, accepted the check and the honor on behalf of the organization.


The event was sponsored by the six northside Indianapolis Shalom Zone churches. Representatives from these congregations participated in the service and assisted with set-up and clean-up for the luncheon that followed.


Special thanks go to Allisonville Christian Church for generously providing the venue; to Carolyn Ramsey of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church for her dedication and leadership in planning this annual service; and to Josiah Ray McCruiston of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church for offering powerful special music. Mary Friend provided photographs from the event.


The Shalom Zone churches are Allisonville Christian Church, First Friends Meeting, St. Pius X Catholic Church, Metanoia UCC, The Garden Community Church, and Cross and Crown Lutheran Church.

Go Nowhere With Me

By Betty Brandt • January 29, 2026
A gentle reflection on the spiritual practice of stillness—inviting readers to pause, notice, and embrace the quiet beauty of going nowhere during Lent.

Hello, Sun in My Face

By Betty Brandt • January 27, 2026
Learning to Greet the Day With Wonder

Been There, Done That

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 27, 2026
As February 2nd approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on Groundhog Day—a moment filled with anticipation and hope. Just like that furry little creature who predicts the end of winter, we often face our own shadows and uncertainties. Are you tired of the cold and darkness, yearning for the warmth of spring? Maybe you’ve felt stuck in a season that just won’t seem to shift, repeating the same patterns and wondering when change will come. This Sunday, we’ll explore how to step forth in faith amidst life's challenges, seeking light and renewal even when the world feels overwhelming. Come as you are, and let’s lean into transformation together. Don't miss this opportunity to gather in community and discover ways to embrace hope and resilience! See you there!

Stop, Drop, Enroll

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 20, 2026
In elementary school, we learn the life-saving phrase “stop, drop, and roll.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that can literally save lives. This phrase resonates with me when I reflect on Jesus’ call to his first disciples. He calls these fishermen right in the midst of their daily routines to stop everything and embark on a mission that would transform their lives forever. This Sunday, let’s take a moment to pause and consider what could happen if we were to stop, drop our distractions, and enroll in the invitation to live our best lives. Join us as we explore how answering this call can ignite a profound change within us!

Beloved Community

By 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.

Let's Get Started

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 6, 2026
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.

Finding Our Way

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 29, 2025
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 hand writes in a notebook with a pencil. A window in the background shows an orange sunset.

My One Word

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 22, 2025
A New Page, A New Dawn

Christmas Eve 2025

December 22, 2025
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.

Do You Feel What I Feel?

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 15, 2025
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?”