Be the Non-Anxious Presence

Betty Brandt • January 31, 2025

Be the Non-Anxious Presence

By Betty Brandt



I had a conversation with a teacher whose school had recently been on lockdown for 30 long minutes. During that time, she was locked in her classroom with twenty fifth graders and no information about what was going on. Was there a shooter in the building? Was there a shooter on the school grounds? Was there a shooter in the neighborhood? Lots of questions and no answers. Anxiety built as the minutes ticked by.


She readily admitted that she failed her students. She was so anxious herself that she had little to give to the boy who was shaking or the girl who was crying. She was wondering aloud to me about what she could have done differently.


How do you calm yourself in stressful situations? Do you take deep breaths? Do you move your body? Do you sing? Do you say familiar prayers? Do you hold hands? We can look to the Civil Rights movement for time-tested skills. Do you have images in your head of marchers with linked arms, singing “We Shall Not Be Moved?” Can you see them kneeling in prayer? Can you see them resolutely breathing and walking forward together? Being a non-anxious presence is something that takes practice. If we can learn other skills, we can learn how to remain calm in stressful situations.


In these anxious times, when fear is being used to manipulate us every day, we must all practice skills to become a non-anxious presence. We owe it to ourselves to be able to think clearly and be there for those who depend on us when uncertainty is all around. There are many things we cannot control, but we can, with practice, control our reactions. Taking a deep breath right now is the beginning.

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?”

Do You See Who I See?

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 9, 2025
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.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 1, 2025
Listening for God’s song in the season

Do You See What I See?

By Rev. Richard Brendan • November 26, 2025
Light in Unexpected Places

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • November 18, 2025
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.

A Ripple of Love: Joleen’s Stewardship Story at The Garden

By Joleen House • November 17, 2025
How hugs, service, and fellowship shaped one Gardener’s spiritual journey

Feeding the Hungry Heart

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • November 11, 2025
Have you ever experienced a hunger so profound that nothing seems to satisfy it? You might turn to junk food, healthy snacks, or every culinary delight in between, and still feel a gnawing emptiness. This discontent often signals something deeper, a spiritual hunger or longing that the world’s offerings cannot fulfill. In our quest for satisfaction, we frequently look to satiate our physical needs, while it’s our spirit that craves nourishment. This Sunday, we will consider what we genuinely hunger and thirst for. Together, we’ll explore the myriad ways we attempt to fill those voids, often to find ourselves still dissatisfied and yearning for more. Imagine what it would be like to genuinely feed your hungry heart, to find true fulfillment in spiritual nourishment. We’ll share in the profound experience of intimate communion with the Divine, discovering how to look beyond our material lives for the spiritual satisfaction that transcends our earthly desires. Join us this Sunday for “Feeding the Hungry Heart.” Together, we will uncover the depths of our cravings and learn how to find lasting peace and fulfillment through a deeper relationship with God. Let’s embark on this journey of discovery and nourishment, and fill our hearts with the sustenance they truly seek.