The Garden Community Church

Whichever Way You Turn, There is the Face of God

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:41:23 GMT

Seeing the Divine in Every Direction

I grew up in mainline Protestant churches where we sang all the verses of three hymns and the doxology every Sunday. Those melodies and words are indelibly etched in my brain. So is the theology embedded in those hymns. I got to the point about 15 years ago where the theology of the familiar hymns was jarring to me instead of uplifting. I didn't want to sing about "loosening the fateful lightning of this terrible swift sword" (Julia Ward Howe, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," 1861) or "Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne" (Matthew Bridges, 1851). For a while I tried to ignore the words, and then I gave up attending services altogether. It was just too much work.

I can understand why young people reject traditional Christian worship with traditional Christian hymns and the theology they teach. I can also understand why people who grew up with those hymns often have a sentimental attachment to them and refuse to abandon them even though they no longer believe in the theology embedded in those hymns. Some mainline Protestant denominations publish updated hymnals with hymns that teach about service and peace. I have no idea how widely these hymnals are used.

The Garden's use of secular music in their services has been a blessing to me. The theology of the secular music our music director, Doran Nash, selects focuses on the power of love to transform our relationships and our everyday lives. What could be better than these lyrics: "I hope, for more love, more joy and laughter. I hope, we'll have more than we'll ever need"? These words are from from "I Hope" (written by Emily Robinson, Kevin R. Moore, Martha Maguire, and Natalie Maines, and sung by Kimberly Morgan on April 12, 2026 at The Garden ). This is a theology I can carry with me and live into.

Right after the April 12th service, I stumbled across my copy of John Philip Newell's Praying with the Earth . There was a companion CD, Chanting for Peace , tucked in beside the book. It seemed like the right thing to make the prayer book and the CD my daily devotional for the week.

Here's a sample of the prayers I have been reading each morning and evening this week:

For the freshness of this new day

thanks be to you, O God.

For morning’s gift of clarity,

its light like the first day’s dawn

thanks be to you.

In this newborn light

let us see afresh.

In this gateway onto what has never been before

let our soul breathe hope

for the earth

for the creatures

for the human family.

Let our soul breathe hope.

(John Philip Newell, Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace , Eerdmans, 2011)

As I read the prayers and listened to the chants each morning and evening, I was struck by the power of the lyrics based on Christian, Hebrew, and Muslim texts: "Whichever way you turn, there is the face of God" or "Teach me your way, O God, that I may walk in your truth" or "For every soul, there is a guardian, watching, watching" (J. Philip Newell, Chanting for Peace , 2010). What would my life be like if I had grown up singing these chants with their theology of love and support?

We Are Family

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:42:39 GMT

Have you ever heard the phrase “blood is thicker than water”? Many people assume it comes from the Bible and refers to the strength of our biological family ties. But what if there’s more to it than we’ve been led to believe? This Sunday, we’ll explore the surprising origins of this saying and what it really invites us to consider.

We’ll also welcome our Big Give recipient, Safe Families for Children , as we reflect on what it means to be family in the deepest sense. Together, we’ll take a fresh look at another timeless idea: “It takes a village.” Who makes up our village, and how do we create communities of love, comfort, and safety?

Join us Sunday for "We Are Family" as we explore the meaning of belonging, connection, and the families we form along the way.

Seeds of Hope

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:47:43 GMT

This Sunday at The Garden, we celebrated creation and explore the profound connection we share with our planet. We looked at the text from Genesis where humanity is called to have dominion over creation. We considered what that means to claim this responsibility and duty to care for and protect creation. Together, let's uncover how our faith compels us to be stewards of creation.

Peace I Leave With You

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:51:09 GMT

What Does It Mean to Work for Peace?

Einstein famously wrote, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

So how do we understand peace? Is it harmony? Tranquility? Is it simply the absence of conflict?

And what does it mean to work for peace? How are you using your power to build a more peaceful world for all?

World religions affirm the high calling to be peacemakers. This weekend at The Garden, we will reaffirm our commitment to the way of peace. Together, let's celebrate its power and reflect on the importance of cultivating within ourselves so we may spread it out into the world, one person at a time.

Whether we do so with intention or not, we all make an impact on the world. What will yours be?

Easter Sunday | Choose to Belong

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:22:08 GMT

This Sunday we conclude our Lenten series with a heartfelt message, “Choose to Belong.” We’ll celebrate Easter—both as a remembrance of the resurrection and as a celebration of new beginnings, including welcoming new Gardner members into our inclusive community.

Easter's beautiful expression of love and hope represents a tradition that calls us to notice the ways love rises again in our lives, dispelling darkness. Whether you interpret the resurrection story literally or embrace it as a metaphor of love overcoming despair, there is a place for you here.

This weekend we’ll explore what it means to belong, and how our faith deepens through our connections with one another and with the sacred. Come experience the joy of community and discover how we can embody the transformative love of Christ together.

Join us as we celebrate this meaningful day. Let’s embrace new beginnings and growth as one community. We can’t wait to see you.

Choose to Belong

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:06:44 GMT

The experience of exclusion tempts us to blame ourselves, to think that we're falling short, that we are somehow wrong, damaged, unacceptable, or unworthy. To fix these perceived shortcomings, we may seek to fit in. There's nothing inherently wrong with fitting in — it can feel great — but it may come at the cost of our authenticity.

In Letter to My Daughter , Maya Angelou writes, “You only are free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all.” She does not mean that we are rootless, but speaks of abandoning the chase for approval so we can be free to show up authentically. We do not need to change who we are to belong.

Brené Brown eloquently unpacks Angelou's profound statement in this video. May it offer you reassurance, comfort, and courage as we continue exploring what belonging means.

The Labyrinth Called Life

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:05:51 GMT

Have you noticed it? If you’ve been with us at The Garden over the past six weeks, you’ve likely walked right over it—the Labyrinth just outside the sanctuary doors. It’s easy to miss when we’re rushing in or out, but it’s there quietly inviting us to slow down, breathe, and pay attention to the path beneath our feet. As we move toward Easter, that invitation feels especially timely.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the moment in the story when Jesus enters Jerusalem to cheers, branches waving, and a sense of possibility in the air. But that joyful procession is only the threshold of a much deeper journey. In the days that follow, Jesus moves through experiences that are profoundly human—sharing meals with friends, seeking quiet in a garden, wrestling with uncertainty, facing conflict, and ultimately walking a path that leads to the cross. The story does not shy away from suffering or loss, yet it also doesn’t end there. It moves through death into the promise of new life, renewal, and hope.

Whether you connect with this story as history, metaphor, or a mirror for your own life, it offers a pattern many of us recognize: how celebration and struggle often sit side by side, how a single week can hold both joy and heaviness, and how transformation sometimes emerges from places we would never choose.

As we enter this meaningful week, I invite you to consider your own path. What are you carrying right now? Where are you seeking connection, clarity, or courage? What parts of your journey are asking for attention, and what new life might be waiting just beyond what you can see?

Let this be a week to walk with intention—to notice the twists and turns, the companions along the way, and the quiet hope that can rise even in uncertain places.

Be You. (What Does THAT Mean?)

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:40:56 GMT

"Be you" is common advice. But what does it mean? The exhortation to "be you" is an invitation to relax into yourself and let go of worries that you don't measure up to someone else's idea of who you are or should be.

"Be you" means be honest––to yourself first and then with the world––about your thoughts, feelings, insecurities, passions, interests, and inclinations. It means you're more than worthy. It means you are enough. It means you're worth knowing, seeing, and loving.

Our resistance to be ourselves comes from fear, judgement, and insecurity. Fear tells us "hide." Judgment says, "you're not good enough, so you better pretend." Insecurity warns, "people won't like you if they really see you."

But it can be easy to Be You. You don't have to do anything; you can just be. The only barrier is self-acceptance. Love can break through that.

May this week give you space to breathe, to soften, and to trust that who you are is already held in love.

Paths to Belonging

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:00:04 GMT

This Sunday, we continue our Lenten journey with the theme of belonging. The National Institutes of Health recognizes belonging as a fundamental human need that shapes our mental, physical, and social well-being. One of the insights from our Greenhouse Challenge was the recognition that many people in the U.S. are experiencing loneliness. In response, The Garden has been exploring what it means to belong—not just socially, but spiritually and communally.

During worship, we’ll check in with Scott Semester to hear how our grant initiative may help us create spaces of sanctuary—places where people feel seen, safe, and truly at home.

Our Scripture this week, Ecclesiastes 4:12, reminds us that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Belonging is not just about individual strength—it’s about the resilience we find in connection. When we walk together, support one another, and share our lives, we become stronger than we ever could be alone.

May we continue to weave lives of compassion, curiosity, and courage—threads that bind us to one another and to the sacred truth that we belong.

Be Curious

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:15:11 GMT

Paths to Belonging

As we continue our Lenten exploration in The Garden, we’ve been spending time with the wide and often misunderstood landscape of Christian mysticism. In our curiosity, we searched for videos that represent the breadth of this tradition—from historical figures like Hildegard of Bingen and St. Augustine to modern voices like Richard Rohr and Thomas Merton.

We also found a number of videos warning against the “dangers” of Christian mysticism. Fear-based teaching is exactly what pushed me away from the church years ago: the insistence that we shouldn’t trust our own spiritual experiences or listen to our inner life. It’s a worldview that treats curiosity as a threat and mystery as something to be controlled.

The Garden is different. Our tagline, "Many Paths, One Purpose," speaks of us as a community that welcomes multifaith wisdom, honors individual experience, and doesn’t measure belonging by belief. We don’t seek to convert; we seek to live the way of Jesus. That means we aspire to be open-handed, compassionate, courageously curious, and grounded in love rather than fear. We don’t imagine God as wrathful or exclusionary, but as the source of connection, creativity, and belonging.

In that spirit of holy curiosity, we’re sharing a short, clear introduction to Christian mysticism from Carl McColman, author of The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism . It’s a simple three-minute overview, but it offers a gentle doorway into a tradition that invites us to trust our experience, to listen deeply, and to discover how our own story meets the larger story of God.

Rooted in Memories

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:21:06 GMT

Hogeye Navvy Takes Over The Garden

Hogeye Navvy takes over The Garden service this Sunday with "Rooted in Memories," a soulful, musical journey through the heart of Irish tradition. On Sunday, March 15, at 9 a.m., join us at 7171 North Pennsylvania Street for a unique acoustic experience. We're in the Lenten season, a time often defined by quiet reflection, and this program uses the deep well of Celtic folk to explore themes of heritage, loss, and spiritual ties that reach across generations. The morning offers a powerful space for communal remembrance, blending stirring instrumentals with poignant, narrative storytelling.

The service weaves together historical defiance and modern contemplation, providing a wide-lens perspective on the Irish experience. As it honors the solemnity of the Lenten journey, the music also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. The morning begins in a place of deep reflection but builds toward a vibrant, high-energy finale with the traditional tune "Smash the Windows," sending us out into the world with renewed spirit. We invite you to start your Sunday with this unique blend of history, harmony, and hope.

Walking Toward a Deeper Spirit

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:22:57 GMT

Labyrinths and Lent

I have been walking labyrinths since 1998, when I discovered one at Waycross Retreat Center in Brown County. My book study group was on retreat, and we took the opportunity to walk their large grass labyrinth. None of us knew anything about labyrinths at the time, but within a few minutes, I realized I had found my favorite spiritual discipline.

Since then, I have walked labyrinths in many places across the United States, as well as at Chartres Cathedral in France and in Glastonbury, England. I not only love walking labyrinths—I love introducing others to the practice. I had that opportunity on Thursday, March 5, 2026, when The Garden’s Spiritual Growth Team sponsored an Open Labyrinth Walk in the lower level of First Congregational Church at 7171 N. Pennsylvania. Twenty people came to slow down and walk in prayer and contemplation.

In the midst of that quiet, prayerful time, a little boy arrived with his parents and older sister. He brought his exuberance for life as he “walked” the labyrinth, encouraging the rest of us to smile and rejoice in the simple joy of being alive. Once wasn’t enough for him—he was the only person who “walked” the labyrinth multiple times.

During this Lenten season, there are two more opportunities to walk nearby labyrinths in community. On Wednesday, March 18, at 5 p.m., please meet me at the outdoor labyrinth at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian, located at the north end of their back parking lot. On Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m., meet me at St. Luke’s UMC, 100 W. 86th Street. If the weather is nice, we will walk their outdoor labyrinth in the northwest corner of the back parking lot. If not, enter Door #6 and turn right to find St. Luke’s indoor canvas labyrinth. While you are there, you can also walk their Stations of the Cross.

Lent is a time to deepen our spiritual lives. Labyrinth walking may become your favorite spiritual discipline too. Give it a try!

A Sacred Overlap: Ramadan and Lent Together

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:11:41 GMT

A Sacred Overlap:
Ramadan and Lent Together

The religious world is experiencing something that happens only every 30–33 years: the Holy Month of Ramadan for Muslims and the 40 days of Lent for Christians are overlapping. This overlap occurs because Muslims follow a lunar calendar while Christians follow the solar‑based Gregorian calendar. This rare alignment offers Muslims and Christians a special opportunity to come together for prayer and community building.

For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of fasting from sunup to sundown, reading the Qur’an from beginning to end, offering special prayers, practicing charity, and living intentionally in community.

Muslims generously invite their Christian brothers and sisters to the Iftar—the meal that breaks the fast at sundown. Members of The Garden were welcomed by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for their Iftar on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Ahmadiyya community recently moved into their new home at 3520 Washington Blvd., and they enthusiastically shared both their space and information about their sect, its history, values, and mission. Those who attended enjoyed participating in evening prayers, sharing a wonderful meal, engaging in warm conversation, and even receiving a goodie bag at the door.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:57:50 GMT

Reclaiming the Power of Loving Kindness

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

–from Diana Ross's iconic single,
" Reach Out and Touch"

You may have heard the saying, 'If you're going through hell, keep going.' We cannot improve our lives or help others when we allow life's challenges to stop us in our tracks. Sometimes we must pause, breathe, and take inventory—but we do so specifically to find the strength to move forward and continue on our paths.

We all have the power to make the world kinder, more generous, and more welcoming. Humanity has the potential to create the peaceful society we dream of, the one we believe God wants for us. In the Lord's Prayer, we say, 'Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.' Yet we too often argue among ourselves about what that 'will' entails. This happens most when we live in fear. We succumb to the human tendency to cling to judgments and black-and-white thinking, falling back on dismissive excuses like, 'That's just the way I was raised.'

In John 13:34, Jesus says, 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' How different would the world be if we lived that every day? What if that command became the primary tenet in our homes, our communities, our jobs, and our government? Notice that Jesus does not qualify or limit his statement. He does not say, 'Love one another except when you disagree,' or 'except when it's hard,' or 'except when love makes you uncomfortable,' or 'except with regard to foreigners.'

While we all have the power to help, despair tempts us to believe we cannot make a difference. Fear corrupts our thinking and makes us forget that we matter.

However, peer-reviewed research proves that the 'ripple effect' is real. An act of loving-kindness creates a cascade of cooperation that reaches far beyond the first recipient, spreading even to those who weren't present for the original act. This positive effect extends even to bystanders, who become 'morally elevated' and motivated to act simply by witnessing kindness in motion.

Remember, then, that you are powerful. Your kindness makes a difference. Love matters. In "Reach Out and Touch," Diana Ross sings, "Reach out and touch / somebody's hand / make this world a better place / if you can." Remember: you really can.

Be You

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:37:19 GMT

Living Waters

Lent encourages us to take a long look inside, to reflect on who we are and what defines us. It is a season of repentance, a word and concept which comes with a great deal of baggage for many of us. This Sunday, we will unpack that bag to find repentance is simply about returning to God, seeking to live in spirit of God within. We will look at a gospel text from John where Jesus encounters a woman whose name we never learn. A woman who is doing her best to avoid the conflict and challenges that come with this conditional world. She lives in the shadows until she encounters Jesus, who brings her into the light to see that she is a child of God loved by God. Through this story, we may discover that Lent is about returning to God, returning to ourselves, returning to the Spirit that keeps nudging us toward wholeness.

Be Here. Be You. Belong.

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:58:33 GMT

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!

The Beauty

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:23:19 GMT

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.

Surviving the Desert

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:52:13 GMT

A Message for Our Moment

This Sunday, The Garden is honored to welcome Josh Riddick, Indiana State Director for LiveFree USA—our first‑quarter Big Give recipient. Josh is a community organizer and justice advocate whose work focuses on building models of public safety that move beyond traditional, punitive approaches. He also leads messaging and communications efforts aimed at reducing the impact of political misinformation and disinformation on Black men.

Josh earned his master’s degree in Religious Education and Leadership from Rochester University in 2022. Across all his roles, he is guided by the intersections of identity, spirituality, and justice, and by a deep commitment to developing emerging Black leaders.

Josh will bring this Sunday’s message, exploring the parallels between our world today and the world Jesus inhabited. The time of Jesus was marked by profound political tension and social pressure. Living under Roman occupation, Jesus proactively responded with radical love in a social landscape shaped by surveillance, instability, and the threat of violence.

In the gospel story of Jesus’ time in the desert, we see a season of grounding, a space where he seeks clarity and summons courage before stepping back into his work of challenging the systems of his day. Josh will help us reflect on how this speaks to us now, inviting us to consider how the story equips us to confront the violence of our own government and usher in a different kind of political reality with integrity, compassion, and hope.

We look forward to gathering with you as we welcome Josh, learn from his experience, and continue exploring what it means to live out a spiritually grounded, justice‑centered faith.

Josh Riddick (he/him/his) is a community organizer and justice advocate based in Indianapolis. Since moving to Indianapolis, he has served as a pastor, racial equity trainer, and civic dialogue facilitator, and now organizes with the LiveFree Indiana. His work centers on building models of public safety that move beyond carceral and law enforcement responses. In addition to his organizing, Josh leads messaging and communications initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of political misinformation and disinformation on Black men. He earned his masters degree in Religious Education and Leadership from Rochester University in 2022. Across all his roles, Josh is guided by the intersections of identity, spirituality, and justice, and by a deep commitment to developing emerging Black leaders.

A Sacred Romance

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:24:12 GMT

To Be Known, Chosen, and Loved

Valentine’s Day often celebrates romance with spark, cards and flowers. But beneath the surface, it gestures toward something older and truer: the human ache to be known, chosen, and loved without condition. Scripture and the mystics speak of love as pursuit, union, and fidelity. God is a lover who calls, waits, and delights. Human romance becomes a parable: when it is true, it trains us in tenderness; when it breaks, it exposes our deeper hunger. Whether partnered, single, healing, or hopeful – romance as its best whispers the same truth: You were made for communion. In short, Valentine’s Day celebrates love we seek. Sacred Romance reveals love that seeks us.

Never Again

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:12:46 GMT

Neighbors, Not Enemies

It was standing room only at the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church on the evening of Friday, January 30, 2026. The Marion County Young Democrats were hosting a vigil to remember those who have died at the hands of ICE agents. The leadership of that group had managed to get commitments from local Democratic leaders and those leaders showed up to speak. United States Representative Andre Carson, Indiana Senator Fady Qaddoura, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, and several City and County Councilors.

All the speakers had something important to say, but Malkah Bird , a member of Jewish Voices for Peace, brought the audience to their feet. Malkah’s message was very personal. As a Jew, she knows what happens when a state decides some people are disposable. She told the attentive audience, “After the Holocaust, our people made a vow – etched into our bones and carried across generations: Never Again! Hear us clearly tonight, and let there be no ambiguity: Never Again is Now! Never Again means no more scapegoating – no turning neighbors into enemies, no blaming the vulnerable for the violence of the powerful. Never Again means no more checking papers – not at bus stops, not on street corners, not in classrooms, not in hospitals. Never Again means no more concentration camps – not at the border, not in Marion County, not hidden behind euphemisms like ‘detention’ or ‘processing.’ Never Again means no child torn from their parents by the state. Never Again means no one disappeared into cages without due process, without medical care, without dignity.”

The cry “Never Again” became a pledge on that Friday evening to work together across religious, racial, ethnic and generational lines to make big changes in our mutual pursuit of justice for everyone. You should have been there!

Moments like this remind us that “Never Again” is not just a slogan, but a responsibility. If we mean it, we have to act. But what can we do? We can show up at school board and council meetings where immigrant families are discussed without their voices present. We can support local groups who are providing legal aid, translation help, and emergency assistance to undocumented neighbors. We can challenge dehumanizing language when we hear it in our workplaces, our social circles, and in our own families. We can accompany people to court dates, donate to bond funds, and contact our lawmakers to advocate for policies protecting due process and keeping families together. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. And when we do, “Never Again” becomes more than a vow. It becomes our service, our ministry, our action.

If you’re wondering where to begin, Indianapolis has these organizations doing courageous, hands‑on work daily:

The Immigrant Welcome Center

Exodus Refugee Immigration

Coalition for Our Immigrant Neighbors (COIN)

The Immigrant Legal Services Fund

These organizations welcome volunteers, donations, and community partners. Showing up, whether by supporting legal aid, mentoring a newly-arrived family, or attending local advocacy events, is one way we may turn “Never Again” from a vow into a shared practice of human dignity.

Revisioning Christianity: A Universal Christ?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:37:48 GMT

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.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:45:01 GMT

Honoring a Hymn of Hope, Freedom, and Perseverance

In my lifetime, songs have played an important role in protest movements. From “If I Had a Hammer” to “We Shall Overcome” to Bruce Springsteen’s recent anthem for Minneapolis written on January 28, 2026, protest songs bind us together and give us something to hold on to when other words fail.

The Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was not originally written as a protest song. Its lyrics began as a poem by Black poet James Weldon Johnson in 1900, composed to honor Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. His brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, later set the poem to music. Today, almost every Black American knows the words to this powerful anthem. Many white Americans, however, have never heard it. That’s a shame, because the song carries a universal message—calling all of us to persistence in the pursuit of freedom. Its lyrics are filled with hope, reminding us that each day offers another opportunity to rise, to begin again, and to keep moving toward justice.

As we honor Black History Month and the devotion of our Black siblings to freedom for everyone, we lift up the words of the first verse of the Black National Anthem.

"LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING"

Lift every voice and sing,

’Til earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Listen to a powerful rendition of this anthem with video and lyrics:

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

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:38:39 GMT

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.

Photos by Mary Friend

Go Nowhere With Me

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:58:30 GMT

What Happens When We Stop Moving?

It had been a busy Monday morning. I managed to do the week’s wash, put dinner in the crockpot, vacuum the bedroom, pay some bills, write a blog post, answer my emails, send some texts and clean up an accumulated pile of stuff. I even cleaned out the slow drain in my bathroom sink.

Before I went on to an afternoon project (writing this post), I decided to just sit and look out the window. I wanted to notice what had changed recently. I wanted to watch the squirrels run along the fence. I wanted to see the patterns the sun and shadows made on the ground. I wanted to be grateful for the luxury of just going nowhere and doing nothing in the middle of the day.

The inspiration for my going nowhere in the middle of the day was travel writer, Pico Iyer. He has written a little book, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere . Iyer has spent his entire life traveling the world and sharing his adventures with his readers. Now at the age of 68, he treasures more and more those minutes, hours, days and weeks of going nowhere. He writes, “At some point, all the horizontal trips in the world stop compensating for the need to go deep, into somewhere challenging and unexpected; movement makes the most sense when it is grounded in stillness.”

Lent is the perfect time to being this practice of going nowhere. I only have to stop, sit down, take a deep breath, and sink into stillness. What will I find? Who knows? A deep insight? A moment of clarity? Just a restful moment in a busy day?

Won’t you join me in going nowhere? A six-week Lenten guide, Paths to Belonging , will be available starting Ash Wednesday, February 18 in paper form (you can pick up a copy at 7171 N. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis) and on this website . The guide provides daily prompts to encourage a meaningful experience, dates for special Open Labyrinth Walk events, and reading recommendations. One of those recommendations is the Pico Iyer book mentioned above.

Watch Iyer's TEDtalk on stillness:

Hello, Sun in My Face

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:42:36 GMT

Learning to Greet the Day With Wonder

Mary Oliver stands among the most beloved contemporary American poets. She died in 2019 at age 84, leaving behind a vast body of work. Her abiding love for the natural world began in childhood, when she sought refuge in the woods to escape her chaotic, abusive family.

Oliver constantly invites readers to slow down and pay attention to the wonders just outside their doors. She spent most of her adult life in Provincetown, RI, walking every day with a little notebook in hand to jot down ideas and images. Her poems focus on grasshoppers and waves and goldfinches and sunflowers—everyday beauty that filled her with awe.

Stop for a moment and soak in her poem, “Why I Wake Early”:

Hello, sun in my face.

Hello, you who made the morning

and spread it over the fields

and into the faces of the tulips

and the nodding morning glories,

and into the windows of, even, the

miserable and the crotchety –

best preacher that ever was,

dear star, that just happens

to be where you are in the universe

to keep us from ever-darkness,

to ease us with warm touching,

to hold us in the great hands of light –

good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch, now, how I start the day

in happiness, in kindness.

How can you follow Oliver’s lead and greet the sun each day? You may find yourself in the land

of happiness and kindness!

Devotions contains Oliver’s selected poems from 1963 to 2015. If you want one book of

Mary Oliver poetry in your library, this is the book to have.

Been There, Done That

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:19:20 GMT

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

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:54:17 GMT

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

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:51:25 GMT

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

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:14:09 GMT

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

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:05:49 GMT

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.”

"Looking Up"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by Elton John & Bernard J.p. Taupin

Lyrics © HST Publishing Ltd., Cow Dog Music Inc.

"Coming Out of the Dark"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Jon Secada, Emilio Estefan & Gloria Estefan

"Light of a Clear Blue Morning"

Sung by Ali Peck

Written by Dolly Parton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

My One Word

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:11:27 GMT

A New Page, A New Dawn

Psst—here’s a little secret…

Change is possible, but it requires focus. You don’t need a gym membership, more willpower, a new organizational system, or a financial planner to become who you hope to be this year. What you need is clarity and sustained focus over time.

That’s why, as we begin the new year, our hope is to help you, as a person of faith carrying the spark of God’s Spirit within, to choose a meaningful focus for the season ahead.

Resolutions rarely work because they’re so often built around a version of ourselves we’re tired of being, rather than the person God is inviting us to become. And when resolutions “break,” they leave no room for the slow, sacred process of growth. But what if our hopes for the coming year centered not on fixing ourselves, but on becoming who God is shaping us to be?

It’s good and natural to want to grow, and the New Year offers a fresh moment to begin. The question is: how? My One Word replaces broken promises with a vision for real transformation. When you choose a single word, you gain clarity and focus. You begin moving toward the future God is calling you into, rather than simply trying to outrun your past.

Christmas Eve 2025

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:05:47 GMT

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?

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:38:31 GMT

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?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:56:11 GMT

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?

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:42:55 GMT

Listening for God’s song in the season

Whether it’s playing softly in our homes, echoing through stores, or filling the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, music carries much of the life and Spirit of the holiday season.

At The Garden, we know music is more than background cheer. It is a vehicle of praise and expression, a way we can connect with God’s Spirit. Even songs from the wider culture can speak to the deepest parts of our faith. We hear God working in and through musical artists, who help us articulate our longings and our desire for connection with the divine.

Christmas carols have a rich history. For centuries, they’ve been sung not just as tradition, but as testimony — voices joining together to proclaim hope, peace, and joy. This Advent, we invite you to listen closely with us. Do you hear what I hear? Like the angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, we lift our voices in the “new song” the spirit of Christmas ushers in.

So as you hear the familiar melodies of Christmas this month, may they remind you that you are part of a greater song, one that began in Bethlehem and continues in us today.

Do You See What I See?

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:33:00 GMT

Light in Unexpected Places

The message this Sunday at The Garden invites us to look again—beyond the surface of our lives and into the deeper reality God is revealing. Drawing from the Christmas story, we explore how ordinary people were invited to see what heaven saw: light breaking into darkness, hope hidden in humility, and God’s presence arriving in unexpected places. Like the shepherds, we’re challenged to open our eyes to the signs of God’s work around us today and to see the world not with fear or cynicism, but with the vision of faith.

This kind of seeing requires courage and a willingness to imagine what could be, even when what is feels heavy or uncertain. As George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Some people see things as they are, and say why. I dream things that never were, and say why not.” Advent invites us into that dreaming. Can we open our eyes to see the world as God sees it, full of possibility, redemption, and light? This Sunday, let’s ponder what might be if we could become people who not only notice the signs of God’s presence, but respond with wonder, hope, and holy imagination.

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:28:58 GMT

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

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:38:55 GMT

How hugs, service, and fellowship shaped one Gardener’s spiritual journey

Joleen, can you share how The Garden first became meaningful in your spiritual life?

Since Linda McCoy first imagined and started the Garden, I have felt that it was what I had always looked for in my spiritual life. Watching it grow from ideas on paper to a weekly service has been life-changing. It’s given me a family, a purpose. Of course The Good Earth Band is phenomenal and inspiring. I look forward to it every Sunday. Most important are the many people I have met at The Garden who have inspired me to be a better person, especially Patti Read, who touched my heart and will be sorely missed.

How has serving at The Garden shaped your understanding of stewardship?

Serving at The Garden has taught me that any heart-felt action can start a ripple which can change things for the better, sometimes for people and in ways you may never know. Early on, there was a sermon on hugs which inspired me so much that today I'm well known for giving great hugs to everyone!

In times of difficulty, what keeps you grounded and hopeful?

With all the recent turmoil in our world, it can be hard to really see the good in other people, to find hope for the future, to find joy. I help out anywhere I can (Soup's On, the Garden’s Garden, Outreach team, Indy Action Coalition, etc.), and I join Gardeners at events like Indy Pride and the No Kings rallies. Time spent doing these things fills me up, brings me the joy I need, and renews my faith and hope that we can overcome the problems of homelessness, hunger, lack of medical care, violence, etc.

Why do these issues feel so personal to you?

These issues are so personal because innocent people are being detained, families separated, children not fed, and people dying due to lack of medical care. We must rally together with like-minded people to find the way forward as we follow the Golden rule!

After all these years, what does The Garden continue to mean to you?

All these years later, through all the changes and moves, The Garden remains a very special place for me on Sundays and beyond. This community provides great opportunities to help others in many ways in like-minded fellowship. My journey has taught me that the greatest gift you can give yourself is to help others. I love helping people in need, and I get back love, hope, and joy as part of this community. I have these opportunities because of our ongoing commitment to The Garden and our desire to serve others.

Feeding the Hungry Heart

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:45:45 GMT

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.

The Rewards of Service and Stewardship

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:19:31 GMT

An Interview with Gardener Mike Ransom

Mike, what motivates you to pledge and serve at The Garden?

It has been said many times that the greatest benefit of serving others is the good feelings you, as “the server,” receive from the effort. That has certainly been true of my twenty-five-plus years as a Gardener. Whether it was serving in a leadership role, assisting with Soup’s On, donating laundry baskets to Fletcher Place, or now being a member of Faith in Action, the richness of the rewards just keeps on coming.

Can you share a specific way your service has been meaningful?

Chairing the Bread for the World Offering of Letters campaign at The Garden over the last few years has brought me great satisfaction. Being part of something larger—thousands of letters going to our congressional representatives, imploring them to address the challenge of hunger and food insecurity locally and globally—means I’m making a small difference. Knowing that our congregation fully embraces the opportunity to speak with one voice about hunger is humbling, but it is also a meaningful way to remind our legislators of Jesus’ words: that feeding the needy is a direct act of service to Him.

What challenges have you seen recently in this work?

This year has been a significant challenge, with detrimental actions taken by the Federal Government against efforts to serve the hungry. Still, we cannot rest until our collective voice breaks through.

Why does this issue feel so personal to you?

It is hard for me to talk about this issue without becoming emotional. Having served at summer feeding sites in the past, I remember the smiles on children’s faces, knowing it might have been their only meal of the day.

How has this journey shaped you, and what role does The Garden play in it?

In the end, I have personally grown from these experiences—feeling both hope and joy—and I am thankful that The Garden community recognizes the need and continues to be a place of spiritual and physical stewardship, committed to changing things for the better.

Christmas Baskets for Fletcher Place

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 23:56:37 GMT

Donations of Baskets of Home Necessities

CHRISTMAS BASKETS

Sign-up sheets will be available for the Christmas baskets for Fletcher Place after Sunday service from November 3 through the 24th. Items will be collected on December 1st. The items needed are:

1 Large, quality laundry basket

1 bar of soap

4 toothbrushes

1 large or 2 smaller (4 or 5 oz) toothpaste

1 large (42-50 oz) Laundry Detergent

1 large (15-16 oz) Dish Soap

1 bottle (8 oz) Liquid Hand Soap

1 roll paper towels

4-6 rolls of toilet paper

1 box of facial tissue

1 large (16 oz) bottle of Shampoo (could be shampoo/conditioner combo)

1 bottle (18 oz) of All-purpose cleaner

We will also accept cash donations and people can volunteer to shop with the donated money.

The Garden On the GO

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:46:51 GMT

Join us this Sunday as we dive into the first part of our stewardship theme, “The Garden on the Go.” We’ve experienced what it means to be a church on the move, embracing change and sharing our faith through multiple transitions in recent years. These shifts have stretched us, but they’ve also reminded us that God’s Spirit is not bound to one place or one way of being.

We are not alone in this journey; the early church blazed a trail before us, spreading the love of God without the confines of a permanent building. This history shows us that faith is not tied to walls or structures, but to the spirit and values embodied by the teachings and example of Jesus, which we seek to apply in our daily lives and in our community.

Together, we’ll explore the essential nature of being a community, discovering how we can embody a vibrant faith that travels with us wherever we go. This is a chance to imagine how our daily lives—our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods—can become sacred spaces of connection, witness, and loving transformation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on how we can be a people who actively share our journey of faith in all places and at all times, carrying the light of God’s love into every corner of our lives.

Remember Me

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:57:57 GMT

All Saint's Day

As we approach the sacred celebration of All Saints’ Day, we pause to reflect on the deep bonds that connect us—not only to our living community, but also to those who have paved the way before us.

In 2017, the heartwarming film Coco highlights the importance of remembering our ancestors and honoring their legacies. This Sunday, we will gather to explore these same themes as we remember all the saints who have gone before us, celebrating the love and wisdom they have passed down.

Come and be part of this meaningful service that honors our spiritual heritage and the vibrant memories of those who continue to live on in our hearts. Together, let us unite in gratitude and remembrance, recognizing the profound impact our loved ones and saints have on our lives today.

Joy as an Act of Resistance

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:04:02 GMT

Practicing Joy

As we navigate this strange and anxious world, choosing joy becomes more than a personal act of resistance–it is a gesture of hope. Joy can serve as a propulsive force, helping us to reclaim our humanity and promote resilience. There is no greater act of defiance than to thrive in life and be happy anyway, despite every reason not to be. Joy is not naïve, nor does it deny pain and injustice. It comes from a wellspring of courage that can fuel our work for justice and sustain us when struggles feel unending. When we practice joy together, we remember that despair does not have the final word.

This Sunday at The Garden, we will share tips for connecting to joy for your activism and in life. As former Archbishop Desmond Tutu exhorts us, "Give the world your love, your service, your healing, but you can also give it your joy."

Christmas in October: Building Bridges Through Shared Stories

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:42:22 GMT

On a crisp October morning, something unexpected happened at a community breakfast in Fishers, Indiana: Christmas came early. But this wasn't about jumping the gun on holiday decorating or premature caroling. Instead, it was about something much more meaningful: using the story of Christmas to build understanding across faith traditions.

A Gathering of Neighbors

The Niagara Foundation, a national organization dedicated to fostering relationships between people of different cultures and faiths, hosts quarterly community breakfasts through its central Indiana chapter, operated by the Turkish Muslim community. These gatherings bring together anyone who shares a simple but powerful desire to break down barriers and build bridges in our increasingly diverse world.

At their community center in Fishers, the Foundation regularly invites speakers from various faith traditions to share perspectives with the group. On October 11, 2025, it was Betty Brandt's turn. As Program Director at the Garden Community Church, Betty chose to explore the topic of Christmas, familiar to most yet full of surprising history.

The History Behind the Holiday

Betty's presentation explored how Christmas as we know it came to be. She explained that December 25 wasn't celebrated as Jesus' birthday until 330 AD, when Pope Julius decreed it "The Feast of the Nativity." This date wasn't chosen randomly. Appropriating the pagan holiday allowed early Christians to continue celebrating the pagan winter solstice, the return of the sun, with its lights, candles, and festivities, while assigning new Christian meaning to these traditions.

From there, Betty traced the evolution of beloved Christmas traditions including the transformation of Saint Nicholas into Santa Claus, the development of Christmas carols, the adoption of evergreen trees as symbols of eternal life, and the creation of live nativity scenes. Each tradition, she showed, carried layers of cultural adaptation and meaning.

A Story That Captures Everything

Betty concluded with a true story from December 24, 1944, during the brutal Battle of the Bulge in World War II. As a fierce snowstorm raged, three American soldiers and three German soldiers took refuge in the home of a Belgian woman and her son. In that small house, on Christmas Eve, these young men put down their weapons. Together, they accepted the hospitality offered to them, shared a meal, and for one night, chose humanity over hatred.

This story captured the essence of what brought people to that October breakfast. Just as those soldiers had done decades earlier, those present desired to put aside differences, enjoy a wonderful meal together, and build bridges across the divides that too often separate us.

Looking Ahead

The next Niagara Foundation community breakfast will take place in 2026 and will feature a panel discussion on fasting practices across different faith traditions. While no date has been set yet, the event promises another opportunity to learn, connect, and discover the common threads that run through our diverse beliefs.

Whereas our world often emphasizes what divides us, gatherings like these remind us that our shared humanity is stronger than our differences. Sometimes it takes a story about Christmas—told in October, in a Muslim community center, to a room full of neighbors—to help us remember that truth.

To learn more about the Niagara Foundation and upcoming community breakfast events, visit their website .

Who is My Neighbor?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:02:58 GMT

What Does it Mean to Be a Good Neighbor?

What does it mean to be a good neighbor, not just in theory, but in practice? What is mercy? How—and how well—do we practice it and receive it? How does this shape our relationships near and far?

This Sunday at The Garden, we'll revisit the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus told this story in response to a legal scholar’s question: “Who is my neighbor?” The tale challenges us to look beyond boundaries and otherness, and to behave with compassion.

We will welcome State Senator Fady Qaddoura as our guest this weekend. He will share some of his memories of growing up in Palestine and how those experiences inform his life and work in the Indiana Senate. Together, we'll consider what neighborliness could mean across cultures, borders, and political landscapes.

Together, let's explore the role of mercy in our daily lives and in our representative democracy. How can mercy heal a polarized world? By embodying the Samaritan’s courage and compassion, how can we bring more love to our communities and our world?

Whether you’re new to The Garden or a longtime member, we hope you will join us for this meaningful conversation.

Gardeners Gather to Make Posters with Purpose

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:05:08 GMT

Posters with Purpose: Preparing for the No Kings Rally

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, twenty passionate Garden members gathered to turn bold ideas into bold visuals. With posterboard, foam board, rulers, and markers, they made signs for the upcoming No Kings Rally set to happen on Saturday, October 18 from 12–3 p.m. on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse.

The room buzzed with creativity. Longtime activist and prolific sign-maker Nancy Kohn facilitated a slogan generating session, through which attendees brainstormed dozens of powerful phrases including “No Kings Since 1776!”; “Healthcare Not Wealthcare!”; and “Nazis Followed Orders Too.” The slogans reflected a shared commitment to honoring the U.S. Constitution, democracy, justice, and accountability.

Then the group got to work. Sharing supplies and ideas, they jumped in and posters took shape. Each became a personal statement of resistance and hope. Everyone left with at least one finished sign and a renewed sense of purpose, looking forward to standing together at the rally.

You do not need a poster to attend the No Kings Rally. Just show up, speak out, and be counted!

All My Relations

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:39:05 GMT

Honoring Indigenous Peoples

This Sunday at The Garden, let's celebrate the rich diversity of humanity and God’s enduring call to inclusivity. Through story, rhythm, and reflection, we’ll honor the wisdom of Indigenous cultures and their deep spiritual connection to creation.

Our service will unfold with powerful stories rooted in the traditions of peoples Indigenous to the lands we now call home. We’ll gather not just to hear them, but to open our hearts and minds to their meaning. Whether you arrive with questions, curiosity, or quiet hope, there’s space for you in this circle. Come ready to listen, to learn, and to be moved.

"K’eintah Natse Ju"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written By Leela Gilday

"The Circle Game"

Sung by Abby Cole

Written by Joni Mitchell

The Circle Game lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc, Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group

"Seeds"

Sung by Doran Nash

Written by Julian Taylor

MirrorIndy’s Grassroots Journalism

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:47:05 GMT

The Future of Local News Is Us

The Indianapolis Star and other legacy newspapers’ decision to cover fewer local government meetings and events has created a news vacuum in Indianapolis and other metropolitan areas. A number of online not-for-profit news organizations have stepped up to fill that void, and MirrorIndy (mirrorindy.org) is among them.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, a group of concerned citizens gathered to hear Ariana Beedie, MirrorIndy’s Community Journalism Director, share how the outlet seeks to provide “community-based journalism that informs and empowers Indianapolis residents to shape our city for the better.” MirrorIndy publishes daily news about government, education, health, neighborhoods, and arts and culture.

Ariana also leads MirrorIndy’s unique Documenters program, in which ordinary citizens with no journalism background receive training in note-taking and photographing government meetings. The goal is to capture what happens at local public meetings across all nine townships of Marion County and create a public record of each. Documenters learn new skills, gain an inside look at how decisions are made in local government, help hold elected officials accountable, and get paid for their work. Some reports are published, and all are fact-checked and archived as part of the city’s public record.

For example, if you want to know what happened at the Lawrence Township School Board meeting on September 29, 2025, MirrorIndy’s resources can help you find out. If you want to know how much money the city has budgeted for road maintenance, you can check the minutes of the September 25, 2025, Indianapolis Department of Public Works meeting. Documenters attended both meetings and filed reports. So far, 350 people have been trained as Documenters—and you can become one, too. To learn more and sign up for training, visit: https://indianapolis-in.documenters.org.

The September 30 gathering was sponsored by Shalom Zone, a coalition of progressive northside churches including The Garden, Metanoia UCC, Allisonville Christian, Cross and Crown Lutheran, First Friends Meeting, and St. Pius X.

Many Stories. One Table.

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:02:40 GMT

World Communion Sunday 2025

At The Garden, we believe every table that makes room for everyone is a sacred space. On the first Sunday of each October along with Christian faith communities all over the world, we celebrate World Communion Sunday. We mindfully reflect on our shared belief that we are part of something larger than ourselves. This day of observance started in 1933 to promote unity. Since then, it has spread worldwide.

Communion is not about sameness. It's about connection and about saying "yes" to the invitation to share in God's love. In other parts of the world, the bread and cup may look different, but the heart of the it is the same. Love welcomes. Grace includes. Hope draws us together.

World Communion Sunday also calls us to put our faith and values into action. As we share in communion, we remind ourselves that unity is a practice, not a ritual. We choose compassion over division; justice over indifference; and community over exclusion. This Sunday, as we join the global chorus of voices, let's consider how we, individually and collectively, play a vital part in a story of love that knows no borders.

"Answer"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Sarah Mclachlan

Answer lyrics © Sony/atv Songs Llc, Tyde Music

"We Are Family"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Bernard Edwards

We Are Family lyrics © Bernard's Other Music

"I’d Like to Teach the World To Sing"

Sung by Abby Cole

Producer: David Mackay

Writers: Bill Backer, Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway, Cook-Greenaway & Roquel Davis

Important Announcements

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:07:26 GMT

Dear Friends,

Please read these two important announcements:

First: We’re excited to share that The Garden has now officially moved into our new home at 7171 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.

This is a joyful new chapter for our community, and we’re so grateful for the ways you’ve helped us grow into it. If you give to The Garden through your bank, IRA, or BillPay service, please take a moment to update our new address with your financial institution so your gifts continue to reach us smoothly.

Second: We hope you will be with us for our Annual All‑Church Meeting on Sunday, October 5, immediately following the 9 a.m. service at the church.

As a United Methodist congregation, this is one of those “official business” gatherings we hold each year. It’s short and simple—we’ll share financial updates, answer questions, and take care of the necessary business of being a church family.

Even in our untraditional way of doing things, this meeting is a reminder that we’re in this together—tending The Garden with love, transparency, and care.

With gratitude and joy,

Carolyn and The Garden Leadership Team

P.S. Please reply to this email if you have any questions we can answer!

Write for the Farm Bill

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:16:17 GMT

Your Voice Matters

In honor of World Food Day on October 16, join voices across the country to urge Congress to pass a new Farm Bill that restores funding for SNAP and international food aid. These vital programs help families here at home and abroad.

This week, we invite you to take a few minutes to write your senators and representative.

To make it easy, Bread for the World has prepared a sample letter you can personalize.

Get a pdf here , a Word doc here , or read the sample letter at the bottom of this page.

Contact your members of Congress directly:

Senator Todd Young — U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510 | �� 202-224-5623

Senator Jim Banks — U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510 | �� 202-224-4814

Representative Victoria Spartz — U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 | 202-225-2276

Representative André Carson — U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 | 202-225-4011

Your voice matters. Together, we can help ensure that no one goes hungry.

SAMPLE LETTER:

[Date]

Rep.

U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Sen.

U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator, / Dear Representative,

As Congress sets funding levels for the next fiscal year, I urge you to protect and strengthen nutrition programs that help children reach their full potential.

Specifically, I ask you to:

Fully fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and strengthen WIC by cosponsoring and passing the MODERN WIC Act.

Protect and provide robust funding for food aid and global nutrition programs, so that we can reach millions of children with lifesaving assistance.

In 2024 the WIC program served nearly 7 million participants per month. Participation in WIC is associated with reduced risk of premature birth, low birthweight, and infant mortality.

At less than one percent of the federal budget, international aid—including global nutrition programs—has an outsized impact. These strategic investments not only save and improve the lives of tens of millions of children every year, they secure America’s standing as a global leader and trusted partner, open new markets to American goods, and reduce national security threats like terrorism and infectious disease.

Genesis 1:27 reminds us that every person is created in God’s image, and we honor God when we love our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable among us. In the Gospels, Jesus opens his arms and welcomes children, saying “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14).

Whether from a fiscal, moral, or faith-based standpoint, the investment in children is more than worth it.

[Add a sentence or two about why you care.]

Sincerely,

[Your name] [Your address]

Bridging and Bonding

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:24:03 GMT

Twenty‑five years ago, sociologist Robert Putnam released his groundbreaking book Bowling Alone, in which he shed light on a troubling cultural shift from a society knit together by shared experiences to one increasingly dominated by individualism. In the decades since, isolating walls have grown taller, separating neighbors, friends, and often families.

This Sunday at The Garden, we invite you to step into an informative exploration of how our faith may help us dismantle those walls and return to the heart of community. Together, we can engage with the incredible power of unity and how it nurtures love, encourages us, and draws us closer to Divine Spirit and to each other.

As you may know, we chose the name "Together to Gather" as a nod to the strength and beauty of gathering with intention, with purpose. People joining together maintain their individuality while simultaneously creating something new and stronger than the sum of its parts: community. Let's explore what it means to belong deeply within a chosen family like The Garden. We’ll celebrate the joy of living in harmony, not as isolated individuals, but as a vibrant, interwoven community of faith and our shared desire to bring more love to the world.

Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and renewed. We'll hear a couple of scripture passages and stories, reflect, and consider why gathering matters. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your connections, embrace the beauty of fellowship, and step boldly into the life God calls us to live—together.

Hands, Hearts, and Hardware

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:49:55 GMT

Building Access, Building Belonging 

The Shalom Zone, a coalition of progressive northside churches including The Garden, Cross & Crown Lutheran, Allisonville Christian, First Friends Meeting, St. Pius X Catholic, and Metanoia, builds a ramp each year for someone who is homebound. Partnering with Servants at Work (SAWs), the coalition funds the materials and provides volunteers, while SAWs supplies the lumber, hardware, and on‑site supervision.

On September 20, 2025, Shalom Zone and SAWs volunteers came together to construct a ramp in just four hours. Before build day, SAWs had already vetted the recipient and her property, designed a ramp to fit the space, cut the lumber, and pre‑assembled sections. On the day itself, volunteers worked under the SAWs supervisor’s guidance, fastening each piece into place until the ramp stood ready for use.

Along with her caregivers, the woman who uses a wheelchair was overjoyed to see such a life‑changing addition completed so quickly. Volunteers left with a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing their work had opened new possibilities for mobility and independence.

Learn more about SAWs and how to get involved at www.sawsramps.org . For information on other Shalom Zone projects, contact Betty Brandt .

Just Peace

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:12:20 GMT

World Peace Day

This Sunday at The Garden, we come together to honor World Peace Day with a service dedicated on the theme of "Just Peace." Drawing inspiration from Psalm 72:3-5, we'll explore the vital connection between peace and justice, and consider how a divine vision of peace and justice touches every corner of our lives.

As we celebrate this global day of ceasefire and non-violence, let us commit to fostering unity and respect in our communities. Together, we'll discover how we can all play a part in upholding justice for the poor and marginalized, living through a faith that promotes true peace.

With our hearts and minds open, we can engage in critical conversations, inspire ourselves to be peacemakers, and allow God to work through us to transform our communities and our world.

The message

The whole service

Hidden Treasure

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:35:04 GMT

When was the last time you set off on a treasure hunt?

When was the last time you went on a treasure hunt? Sometimes the most valuable treasures are hiding in plain sight — just waiting for someone curious enough to look. This Sunday at The Garden, we’re setting out on a search inspired by two short but powerful stories from Matthew 13:44–46 — where hidden treasures and priceless pearls become symbols of life’s most meaningful discoveries.

We’ll explore what it means to notice, pursue, and embrace the things that truly matter — the kind of treasures that can change how we see the world and how we live in it.

At The Garden, we believe the sacred can be found in everyday places, and that love and meaning can show up anywhere. So bring your curiosity, your questions, and a heart ready to dig in. You might just uncover something priceless that’s been right in front of you all along.

Joy as an Act of Resilience

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:55:37 GMT

Choosing Light When the World Feels Heavy

As we navigate this strange and anxious world, choosing joy becomes more than a personal act of resilience—it is a gesture of hope. Joy can serve as a propulsive force, helping us reclaim our humanity and promote resilience and hope.

So why is it so challenging to choose joy in the midst of darkness?

Not surprisingly, the idea of claiming joy often seems like a distraction from what is truly pressing in life and the issues our world and country are facing. In moments of stress, anxiety, and depression, joy can feel like a selfish or guilty pursuit—precisely because everyone is going through so much. Drawing on our activist mentality, it is often easier to focus on the revolution than to find a place for pleasure and joy. This sentiment is affirmed by bell hooks:

“I often find it easier to be teaching or giving to others, and often struggle with the place of my own pleasure and joy.”

JOY LETS US RECLAIM OUR HUMANITY

Joy is a sign of vibrant life—of thriving. It is one of the things that makes us truly human. So depriving a group of people of joy, whether through an outright ban or through economic means, is a method of dehumanization. Reclaiming those sources of joy is a way to refuse to be dehumanized.

Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel described a memory of a fellow prisoner trading a ration of bread for materials with which to piece together a makeshift menorah during Hanukkah. Shocked that the man would trade something so essential to his survival, Wiesel asked him, “Hanukkah in Auschwitz?” And the man replied, “Especially in Auschwitz.” The more dehumanizing the circumstances, the more we need these markers of our humanity.

As people who believe in putting love into action, we are primed to take care of others, respond to crises, mobilize, organize, and tackle the multiple injustices in our world. However, we also have to pay attention to joy. Otherwise, we might spiral into despair. Finding joy means doing the hard work of shifting our focus as often as possible to appreciate the good that happens. It's how we gather the energy to do the important work. Connecting to and claiming joy is about keeping the flame and fire alive—because joy is a beautiful generator of hope.

Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminds us, “Give the world your love, your service, your healing—but also give your joy.”

“I sometimes forget that I was created for JOY. My mind is too busy. My heart is too heavy for me to remember that I have been called to dance the Sacred dance of life. I was created to smile, to love, to be lifted up. O Sacred One, untangle my feet from all that ensnares. Free my soul that we might dance—and that our dancing might be contagious.” —Hafiz

JOY AS A POLITICAL STRATEGY

In a world where we are inundated by stories of our powerlessness, claiming our right to joy enables us to re-vision ourselves in ways that are meaningful and important to us—rather than conforming. Claiming joy politically also has a collective element. Employing joy as a strategy of solidarity provides us with an emotional tool to nurture optimism for the future.

Claiming joy reminds us that love, connection, and beauty are available in abundance to us all—and that we are worthy of living a full and beautiful life. Joy can connect us by affirming our collective humanity.

TIPS FOR CONNECTING TO JOY

Recognize that joy is not a luxury or privilege—it is necessary to our humanity.
Take little joy steps. Care for yourself in small ways. Slow down on watching the news. Build happiness breaks into your daily life. What brings you joy? What feeds your spirit?
Pay attention to your body. Make time for movement—walking, hiking, yoga, running, dancing.
Focus on gratitude. Create a gratitude or joy list. Appreciate what you already have. Gratitude is at the heart of contentment.
Create connection and community. We yearn for deeper connection and a sense of belonging.
Consciously choose joy. Choose joy. Choose joy.

Now What Have We Gotten Ourselves Into?

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:37:05 GMT

The Garden Moves to Its New Home

As we have been moving into the office this week I’ve had that familiar feeling that many of us have experienced at some point in our lives: the overwhelming thought, “Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?” In those moments of uncertainty, we often find ourselves questioning our choices, our paths, and our purpose. These are the moments when the most important question could be “What might God be trying to teach us in these moments?”

Have you ever had the feeling, "Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?" It is a feeling that we probably have all had from time to time, but do we ever stop and think what God might be trying to teach us in these moments?

On Sunday we have our first service at First Congregational Church at 7171 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis. See you there!

Tending the Flame Within

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 04:00:06 GMT

Your flame is your truth. Keep it burning

The realities of our life today are often a result of the choices we made yesterday, three months ago or a year ago. Our relationships don't fall apart overnight because of one decision. Nor do we gain thirty unwanted pounds as a result of a few decadent meals. If we want to understand why and how we created our present-day reality, all we need to do is look at the choices we made in the past.

Each of us has an inner flame (spirit) that is the keeper of our life force. Each choice we make either adds to this life force, making it stronger, igniting and feeding our flame, or diminishes the force, dampening our inner flame, reducing its power.

When our inner flame roars, we feel strong, powerful and confident. We have the courage/strength to speak truthfully and ask for what we need. A strong flame propels us into higher states of consciousness, where self-love and emotional freedom reside.

When our flames are low, we are vulnerable, weak, feel scared and apprehensive. When our flames have not been cared for and fed, we hunger for things outside of ourselves to make us feel better. The size and health of our flame also affects those around us. Your only job in life is tending to that inner flame, keeping it vital and roaring. It alone can give you the security and peace of mind you desire.

Choices That Dim Your Light

Being around people that criticize you and can't see your magnificence.
Trying to get others' approval.
Lying to yourself.
Gossiping.
Being late.
Judging yourself or others.
Not enjoying what you already have.
Looking to others to make you happy.
Living in fear.
Ignoring your inner voice.

Choices That Make Your Fire Roar

Taking time for yourself.
Investing time with those you love.
Appreciating what you already have.
Rest.
Play.
Spending money wisely.
Planning for the future.
Hanging out with people who inspire you.
Being compassionate.
Doing what you love.
Going after your dreams.
Creating a powerful support system.

Before you make any decisions in your life (big or small), here are ten questions spiritual teacher Debbie Ford shares in her book The Right Questions that will assist you in making the right one:

Will this choice propel me towards an inspiring future or will it keep me stuck in the past?
Will this choice bring me long-term fulfillment or will it bring me short-term gratification?
Am I standing in my power or am I trying to please another?
In this situation, am I looking for what's right or am I looking for what's wrong?
Will this choice add to my life force or will it rob me of my energy?
Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve or will I use it to beat myself up?
Does this choice empower me or disempower me?
Is this an act of self-love or is it an act of self-sabotage?
Is this an act of faith or is it an act of fear?
Am I choosing from my divinity or from my humanity?

Creative therapist Bradford Keeney, Ph.D ., reminds us that "There is a wick within you that is waiting to become the light of your soul. When this inner flame burns brightly you will feel a magnificent awakening in your life."

Rev. Richard Brendan has been an ordained minister in the Indianapolis area for decades. During that time he has served as a pastor, hospice chaplain, founder and president of JourneysFire International, co-founder and emcee of the Walk the Talk speaker series, executive producer of a CD with Cathy Morris titled Sacred Romance (featuring the music of Cathy Morris and Richard giving voice to the mystic poetry of Rumi and Hafiz), and host and producer of a weekly talk radio show for over twenty years on 88.7fm, WICR at the University of Indianapolis. The show, JourneysFire with Richard Brendan , featured a full hour of conversation with leading visionaries and social change artists. Learn more at RichardBrendan.net .

Intermezzo

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:08:01 GMT

On the Bridge Between

Do you ever feel like your life is filled with endless waiting? Not just for appointments or reports, but for deeper resolutions, transformations, and sense of purpose? We often find ourselves navigating the spaces in between, and while this can be frustrating, it’s also a fertile ground where profound change can take root.

In music, there’s a captivating term called "intermezzo." This is a serene pause that bridges scenes, typically highlighted by a solo instrument. It draws the listener into a moment of transition, allowing them to savor the pause before the next movement unfolds.

At The Garden, we resonate deeply with this concept of intermezzo. As we journey from one phase of life to another, we must remember that these transitional spaces are not just pauses—they're gifts laden with potential. They invite us to reflect, to wrestle with the 'almost' and the 'not yet,' and to embrace opportunities that emerge in the quiet moments.

Join us this Sunday for "Intermezzo" and discover the beauty of those in-between moments, where waiting becomes a pathway to transformation. Don’t miss this special opportunity to reflect and engage with your journey.

Held by Mystery

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:14 GMT

Spirituality as Secure Attachment in Spiritually Diverse Communities

In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-moving, many of us long for a place to land—a presence that says, “You are safe. You are seen.” For some, that presence is God. For others, it’s Spirit, Love, the Universe, or simply the sacred pulse of life itself. In spiritually diverse communities—where the divine is explored through tradition, experience, scripture, and mystery—this longing is not dismissed. It’s honored.

Attachment Theory and the Sacred

Attachment theory, rooted in the work of John Bowlby, teaches that our earliest relationships shape how we connect, trust, and feel safe. When those early bonds are nurturing, we internalize a sense of worth and security. When they’re fractured, we may carry wounds that echo through adulthood.

But healing is possible—and for many, it begins in the spiritual realm.

Researchers like Pehr Granqvist and Lee Kirkpatrick have explored how people form attachment relationships with the divine. Whether through prayer, meditation, music, or ritual, spiritual connection can offer:

A safe haven in times of emotional distress
A secure base from which to explore life’s complexity
A mirror that reflects back our inherent worth

Michael John Cusick’s Sacred Attachment beautifully explores this dynamic, offering a trauma-informed lens on how divine love can become a healing force in our lives.

The Divine as a Loving Presence

In communities that honor varied spiritual paths, the divine is not confined to a single image or doctrine. It may be experienced as:

The Christ who walks with the marginalized
The Spirit that dances in creativity and justice
The Mystery that holds all things together
The Love that transcends binaries and borders

This openness allows people to form spiritual attachments that feel authentic, healing, and deeply personal.

Spiritual Attachment Styles

Just as we have human attachment styles, we also carry spiritual ones. These influence how we relate to the sacred:

Secure attachment style expresses in faith as trust in divine presence and grace
Anxious style expresses in faith as fear of abandonment
Avoidant style expresses in faith as skepticism or detachment from spiritual practices
Disorganized style expresses in faith as conflicted or traumatic spiritual history

Spiritually diverse communities often create space for all of these—welcoming the doubter, the seeker, the wounded, and the mystic alike.

Healing Through Sacred Connection

In a church where music ranges from Taizé chants to indie folk, where sermons quote both scripture and poetry, and where the divine is spoken of with reverence and curiosity, healing happens. People begin to feel held—not just by community, but by something deeper.

Spiritual practices like contemplative prayer, embodied worship, and shared silence can rewire our nervous systems toward trust. Over time, the divine becomes not just an idea, but a felt presence—a secure attachment figure that walks with us through joy, grief, and transformation.

If this reflection resonates, consider sitting with these questions—not to arrive at answers, but to deepen your awareness of how you relate to the sacred:

What does “being held” by the divine mean to you—and when have you felt it most clearly? Explore moments of spiritual safety, even if they were fleeting.
How do your early relationships shape the way you seek or resist spiritual connection today? Notice any echoes between attachment and faith.
What spiritual practices help you feel seen, soothed, or grounded? Consider what brings you closer to a felt sense of presence.
Is there a part of your spiritual story that feels tender, conflicted, or unfinished? Let this be a space to honor complexity without judgment.

References

Cusick, M. J. (2025). Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love. IVP Formatio . InterVarsity Press.

Cherniak, A. D., Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., & Granqvist, P. (2021). Attachment theory and religion. Current Opinion in Psychology , 40, 126–130. APA PsycNet.

Freund, A., Fuchshuber, J., Silani, G., & Unterrainer, H. F. (2024). The relationship between attachment, primary emotions and positive/negative spirituality: a path analysis. Frontiers in Public Health . Frontiers Journal.

Hiebler-Ragger, M., et al. (2016). Facets of Spirituality Diminish the Positive Relationship between Insecure Attachment and Mood Pathology in Young Adults. PLOS ONE . PLOS Journal.

David Bolander , M.Div., M.A., LMHCA (he/him), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate offering inclusive, attachment-based therapy for adults navigating anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and relational trauma. His approach is warm, emotionally attuned, and grounded in deep respect for each person’s story. As a gay therapist, David is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community and creating spaces of authenticity, belonging, and emotional safety. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), psychodynamic theory, and contemplative spirituality, David helps clients explore emotional wounds, trace attachment patterns, and reconnect with their worth. His work is shaped by two decades of leadership in spiritual and community settings, and by a belief that healing is relational, existential, and often sacred. David offers individual and group counseling both in person and online. His professional listings are available on Open Path, Therapy Den, and Psychology Today.

The Invisible Leash

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:34:13 GMT

Celebrating the Love of Our Animal Friends and Family

This Sunday at The Garden, Carolyn will host a heartfelt conversation with guest Dr. Amy Czarnecki of Lap of Love. Together, we will enjoy a service dedicated to honoring the love and memories of our beloved pets. We hope this gathering offers a space for reflection, support, and healing as we celebrate the joy and companionship our furry family members have brought—and continue to bring–to our lives.

Through shared stories and quiet moments of remembrance, may we find comfort in knowing we are not alone in our grief. As one ancient verse reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted / he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” –- a timeless truth that speaks to the healing power of presence, empathy, and connection. Whether your loss is recent or your heart is still mending, we warmly invite you to join us as we grieve together and cherish the enduring love of our animal companions.

Shared with permission from Sean Baker

Music by Sean Baker

The Quiet Loneliness of Midlife

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:15:16 GMT

Why Connection Feels Harder—and How We Begin to Reclaim It

At 57, I often move through rooms filled with laughter and familiarity—yet feel quietly alone. Conversations orbit around parenting, marriage, and shared histories I’ve never lived. I smile and offer warmth, but still feel like I’m on the outside looking in.

I long for connection, but often don’t recognize what it truly feels like. I can laugh and interact, yet something aches—a sense that I’m not fully seen or held.

Friends offer support, and I’m grateful. But I quickly fear I’ve overburdened them with my emotional needs. With no other outlet, I withdraw and spiral into depression—only to hurt others when my pain is mistaken for coldness. There’s always some vulnerability I leave hidden—some part of me that feels too tender to risk.

Life has brought natural disconnections: loved ones lost, or ideological divides that feel too personal to bridge. I carry love and hope for reconnection, but I also feel I need to protect my well-being—unsure how to be authentic without risking more hurt. These moments leave me feeling tender, guarded, and quietly adrift.

It’s a strange kind of loneliness—not the absence of people, but the absence of emotional safety. I can be surrounded by others and still feel invisible, unsure whether my truth can be held. That’s the kind of disconnection that lingers.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General called loneliness a public health crisis. Its effects rival smoking and obesity, but the numbers only tell part of the story. The lived experience is far more complex—especially in midlife, when connection can feel elusive despite the appearance of community.

Therapy has helped me see that procrastination, disrupted sleep, and withdrawal aren’t failures—they’re protective responses rooted in old fears and unmet needs. I’m learning to meet myself with compassion, and to recognize that loneliness often stems from a lack of emotional resonance. True connection isn’t about fixing—it’s about presence. When someone hears the feeling beneath my words, I feel less alone. Not all relationships can meet me there, and that’s painful. But it’s also freeing—I can stop chasing approval and start seeking alignment.

Healing isn’t linear. Some days I feel grounded; others, I slip into old patterns. But I’m learning to trust myself and sit with emotions without being overtaken. Therapy hasn’t erased my pain, but it’s shown me I wasn’t broken—I was protecting parts of myself that never felt safe enough to be seen. Attachment theory reminds us that our need to feel safe and understood doesn’t fade with age. Emotionally Focused Therapy reframes these patterns as adaptive. Emotions become messengers, and therapy becomes a space to hear and reshape them.

I’m learning to reach for connection more authentically—not by performing or pleasing, but by showing up as myself. Loneliness isn’t a personal failure—it’s a relational signal. When honored, it opens the door to healing.

Reclaiming connection in midlife isn’t about reinvention—it’s about returning to our need to feel seen and safe. That need deepens with age, and meaningful connection often arises not from shared adventures, but from shared vulnerability. Small acts—reaching out, naming a feeling, staying present—create space for resonance.

You don’t have to be anyone else to belong. The story you carry—shaped by joy, loss, and quiet resilience—is enough. When you honor it, you invite others to do the same. And in that mutual recognition, something sacred happens: connection that doesn’t demand performance, only presence.

Connection begins not when we are perfect, but when we are present.

Reflection & Journaling Prompts

If this reflection stirred something in you, consider sitting with these questions—not to fix, but to gently explore:

Where in your life do you feel most unseen, even when you're surrounded by others? Notice the spaces where emotional safety feels out of reach.
What protective patterns—like withdrawal, over-functioning, or silence—might be asking for compassion rather than judgment? What if these responses are not flaws, but signals?
What would it look like to show up more authentically in one relationship this week? Consider a small act of presence that doesn’t require performance.
What part of your story feels tender, true, and ready to be honored? Let this be a moment to meet yourself with care.

References

Holt-Lunstad, J. (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2016). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection . Brunner-Routledge.

Siegel, D. J. (2010). The mindful therapist: A clinician’s guide to mindsight and neural integration . W. W. Norton & Company.

As a counselor at the CTS Counseling Center in Indianapolis, David Bolander specializes in trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, attachment issues, relational dynamics, and concerns related to gender and sexuality. He holds Masters degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Divinity. He believes healing happens through authentic connection and provides a safe, collaborative space for individuals of all identities and backgrounds, respecting each person’s worldview and spiritual framework. He values diverse perspectives including insights from metaphysics, neuroscience, quantum theory, and near-death experiences.

Before I Die...

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:27:58 GMT

How would you finish the sentence?

This week at The Garden, we reflect on a powerful work of Candy Chang, an artist, designer, and urban planner who created public installations which spark global conversations about life, death, and meaning. Her most iconic project, "Before I Die," transformed abandoned walls into communal chalkboards where passersby could finish the sentence “Before I die I want to…” The responses--raw, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful—-became a living mosaic of human longing.

As we continue exploring the Art of Living and Dying, we’ll consider how Chang’s work invites us to reflect on mortality and how it informs our sense of purpose. Ask yourself:

What do you hold dear?

What dreams have you postponed?

What truths do you rarely speak aloud?

Chang's art highlights the fact that naming our desires can be a powerful step toward living more intentionally.

Join us this Sunday as we engage with these questions together. Whether you’re in a season of clarity or uncertainty, grief or growth, this conversation is for you. Come curious. Come open. Come ready to consider how you would finish the sentence: Before I die…

Full service

Message only

Sacred Journeys: Psychedelics and the Search for Meaning

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:16:34 GMT

Spirituality and Psychedelics

I spent several decades of my adult life as a practicing Marriage & Family Therapist. In all those years, I encountered a handful of people whose depressive symptoms had such a hold on them, they were immobilized. It seemed that no treatments were available to help them enjoy life again.

Today, the medical use of psychedelics is adding a powerful option. Much research is being done in this field, with quite astounding results. There are a growing number of places in Indianapolis where people suffering from depression can take psychedelics in the presence of trained therapeutic practitioners.

Now, research is expanding into the field of spirituality and psychedelics. The best-known study is a 2016 collaboration between Johns Hopkins and NYU Schools of Medicine, involving 22 religious leaders—Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Congregational, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed Church in America, Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Orthodox Jew, Reconstructionist Jew, Renewal Jew, Sunni Muslim, and Zen Buddhist.

The results, which were delayed for almost a decade, are now available. They reveal that 96% of the participants retroactively rated their psilocybin experience among the top five most spiritually significant, profoundly sacred, psychologically insightful, and meaningful experiences of their lives.

Some came to see all religions as part of one truth, while many felt more grounded in their personal traditions. Some attributed their psychedelic experiences entirely to God, while others credited chemical changes in their brains. They reported positive changes in their effectiveness as religious leaders, as well as in their non-religious attitudes, moods, and behaviors.

Are we on the cusp of a dramatic change in the acceptance of psychedelics beyond medical uses?

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 safeguards the use, possession, and transportation of peyote by Indigenous people for bona fide traditional ceremonial purposes. Now, a non-Indigenous group in Utah has sued—and won—their case.

On August 4, 2025, District Judge Jill Parrish of the U.S. District Court of Utah ruled in favor of a religious group called Singularism, which had sued for the right to use psychedelic mushrooms in their worship services as a conduit to profound spiritual experiences. Judge Parrish sided with the group.

Just two days later, on August 6, 2025, Rabbi Jay Michaelson spoke at a Spirit and Place event in Indianapolis. Rabbi Michaelson is a field scholar at the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality and a fellow at Harvard Law School’s Project on Psychedelic Use, Law, and Spiritual Experience (PULSE).

In March 2025, he co-organized the first-ever conference on the legal recognition of religious psychedelic use in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities. His colleague, Gary Laderman—a religion scholar at Emory University—has a book titled Sacred Drugs: How Psychoactive Substances Mix with Religious Life, coming out in September 2025. These two men are leaders in this emerging field of spirituality and psychedelics.

I have lots of questions. Maybe you do too.

Are we approaching a time when psychedelics will be welcomed into the spiritual practices of American faith traditions? If so, how long until that door opens?

Would I be willing to take part in a religious ceremony using psychedelics? Would you?

How would such an experience transform my spiritual life?

Could clergy take part in a psychedelic experience as part of their seminary training?

Do seminaries need to train religious leaders to provide care and guidance to those in their congregations who want to process their psychedelic experiences?

A whole new opportunity for spiritual growth is opening before us. Are we ready?

The Art of Living in the Light of Death

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:45:01 GMT

Finding Grace With Impermanence

Note: We experienced technical difficulties with our video stream this Sunday. After evaluating unsatisfactory options with what we were able to archive, we are posting only the audio as we believe that this will be the best possible experience for remote Gardeners. Thank you for your understanding.

Join us this Sunday, August 10, as Rev. Richard Brendan invites us into a deeply reflective conversation on the transformative power of mortality. Through his message, "The Art of Living in the Light of Death," Richard will explore how embracing the inevitability of death can awaken us to a more vibrant, intentional way of living.

Drawing from philosophies that suggest that awareness of death is the secret of life, Richard will guide us through stories and insights that challenge our assumptions and open our hearts. This isn't a message of fear - it's about freedom from fear. About living with purpose, presence, and compassion.

Whether you're navigating grief, seeking clarity, or simply curious about what it means to live fully, this message promises to be both grounding and inspiring.

From Abandonment to Belonging

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:16:13 GMT

Psalms and the Healing Arc of Our Stories

On August 3, The Garden is excited to welcome therapist Dave Bolander, LMHCA, MACMHC, MDiv . He will share a message about what it means to move from a place of disconnection to one of safety and belonging. Drawing from Psalms 22 and 23, Dave will thoughtfully explore how naming our struggles—like sadness, isolation, or feeling unseen—can begin our journey toward healing and hope. With warmth and insight, he’ll share a seasoned therapist's perspective on how we rebuild trust, find connection, and take small but meaningful steps toward feeling whole again. This service will offer space for reflection, presence, and encouragement—whether you come with questions, wounds, or simply a desire to be reminded that healing is possible.

From Abandonment to Belonging: A Journey Through Attachment and the Psalms

Where Healing and Scripture Meet

As a therapist, the counseling room is my sacred space—where wounds speak, truth emerges, and healing begins to take shape. It’s where therapeutic insight meets the deep longing of the soul—the spiritual hunger for connection, meaning, and belonging.

When these dynamics converge, healing becomes not just clinical but sacred. Therapy helps us hold pain with care; faith invites us to hold it with hope. Together, they make space for deep truth to be met by something greater.

In my work as a counselor, I draw from attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy, approaches that help me listen beneath the surface. I pay attention not just to words, but to gentle signals — a shift in breath, a pause, the emotion carried in a voice. These patterns speak to our deep longing to feel safe, connected, and understood.

And when we enter Scripture with those same instincts, especially the Psalms, we hear echoes of our own stories — cries for comfort, pleas for belonging, hopes for steady love. These ancient prayers don’t simply instruct us; they accompany us, tracing the sacred movement from disconnection to homecoming.

The Psalms invite us to bring our full selves — our longings, our wounds, our truths. They show us that our need for connection is not weakness; it's sacred. And that same need shows up in the counseling room, in our relationships, and deep in our emotional core. Attachment theory helps us name this longing clearly: the ache to feel safe, seen, and soothed. Not just once—but reliably. It’s what we hope for in a therapist, a friend, a partner. And, even, in God.

A Secure Base—Psychologically and Spiritually

And if the Psalms are honest about anything, it’s this: we all need somewhere to go and someone to return to. That is the heart of attachment—a place where rupture is met with repair, and silence gives way to sacred presence.

The psychologist and psychoanalyst, John Bowlby, who is often called the father of Attachment theory, called this safe space, a secure base.

The developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth showed us how we flourish when someone, as this secure base, responds consistently and tenderly — as someone who sees, soothes, and stays.

Whether we’re 8 or 80, we yearn for grounded presence. A partner who doesn’t fix but listens. A friend who remembers your grief anniversary and says, “I’m thinking of you.” A therapist who stays steady through your storm. And yes—a God who is not abstract, but attuned. Who meets our internal cries with external faithfulness.

This longing for secure connection, a secure base, is more than psychological. It’s spiritual. It is the deep cry of “be with me.” The hope of Immanuel—God with us, not as a doctrine, but as embodied presence.

The Emotional and Spiritual Arc: Psalm 22 to Psalm 23

Before we explore the emotional movement between these two Psalms, I’d like to share for you the raw lament of Psalm 22:1–15. The psalm is long and long layered, rich with anguish and honest pleading. But we won’t read it all today — just the moments that help us chart the movement from rupture to repair. These selected verses let us hear the psalmist’s emotional disorientation, embodied lament, and the faint but persistent memory of connection. I invite you to listen, as if these words might give voice to something hidden in your own story…

Verses 1–2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.

Verses 6–8 But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads: “Commit your cause to the Lord; let God deliver — let God rescue the one in whom God delights! ”

Verses 9–11 Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me, you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Verses 14–15 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

Now, let’s explore how this lamenting psalm reflects the emotional arc of attachment rupture—and how Psalm 23 offers a vision of repair and belonging.

Psalm 22: The Ache of Abandonment

It opens with a piercing cry: “ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ” This isn’t mild disappointment.

This is attachment protest — the soul’s rhythm flooded with despair, a heart longing for responsiveness and finding silence.

“I am a worm, not human” echoes internalized shame. The psalmist collapses inward. Relational rupture distorts not only mood, but identity.

Yet even in their anguish, The psalmist experiences a flicker of remembered attunement: “You brought me out of the womb… made me trust in you.” That memory offers some emotional regulation — It’s a tether to past connection. A reminder that trust once lived in the body.

But the spiral continues. The psalmist cries: “ I am poured out like water… my heart is like wax. ”

This is emotional trauma embodied. A somatic, bodily collapse. And scripture doesn’t rush to correct it—it listens. It holds space. Beneath the protest lies longing. Beneath silence lies the hope of repair.

Then, Psalm 23 enters — not as contradiction, but as comfort.

Psalm 23: The Return to Belonging

1 God is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 You make me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside still waters. 3 You restore my soul. You lead me in paths of righteousness for the sake of Your name.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff— they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of God my whole life long.

It’s like a reassuring whisper. A sudden awareness. A realization that pierces through the darkness: “ God is my shepherd; I shall not want. ” Now, we see that God is not far, but near. A steady guide. A secure base. The psalmist expands on this awareness and recognizes God’s presence, “ You make me lie down… lead me beside still waters. ” “ You restore my soul. ” This is attunement. This is Love that steadies us when we cannot steady ourselves. It’s emotional presence. And the body is finally able to find peace again.

And as we go on, you can see that the valley still remains, but the fear shifts: “ Even though I walk through the darkest valley… you are with me. ” Fear now becomes bearable in the presence of a trusted other. “ You prepare a table… anoint my head… my cup overflows. ” The feeling of exclusion becomes invitation. Shame becomes honor. This is secure attachment, connection, and acceptance that is spiritually embodied.

Embodied Presence: Living the Arc

And in all of this, we begin to recognize: God is not just a distant observer of our healing journey — God is the steady presence. The one who listens, attunes, and stays. Who meets our emotional protest with compassion. Who holds our fragmentation with tenderness, and patiently companions us toward integration.

Healing has occurred — not just through techniques or insight, but through the sacred presence of a Love that sees and stays. Psalm 22 and 23 embody this movement: from protest to presence, from rupture to repair. The soul’s rhythm settles. The heart remembers. And these ancient words become a living experience.

And here is the mystery: that same Spirit dwells in us. The Divine Presence we meet in scripture is not confined to the page—it animates us. It moves through attuned presence, sacred listening, and gentle repair. We become secure bases for one another. Not perfect ones, but real ones. Embodied love is the invitation. God-with-us becomes God-in-us, extending belonging outward through us.

Four Invitations for Enacting Attachment Repair

This journey isn’t just poetic—it’s practical. The path from abandonment to belonging shows up in how we relate to others. I’d like to share with you four invitations to enact God’s steady love:

Be Steady In anxious relationships, consistency heals. Show up again and again, and that steadiness whispers: “You’re worth coming back for.”

Be Curious When someone withdraws or lashes out, pause. Ask: “What story speaks beneath this?” Curiosity is sacred—it leads to attunement, not judgment.

Be With You don’t have to fix the problem. You don’t have to fix the valley. Just walk through it. Your presence is often the most healing intervention.

Be Kind A soft word. A gentle touch. A small mercy. These become lifelines. They say: “You matter. You are seen.”

A Benediction of Belonging

Together, these four invitations—steadiness, curiosity, presence, and kindness—quiet the chaos of disconnection and speak healing into our relationships. They remind the weary soul that: your presence matters, your story matters, and you are worthy of love.

So, from the ache of Psalm 22 to the comfort of Psalm 23, we’ve walked a tender path of repair—where the soul relearns what it means to be held. You are not too far gone, not too much, not alone. Because God walks beside you. The Spirit holds space within you.

Love arrives in those who offer presence.

So go with courage.

Offer the refuge you’ve been given.

And, let Love lead you forward.

As a counselor at the CTS Counseling Center in Indianapolis, David Bolander specializes in trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, attachment issues, relational dynamics, and concerns related to gender and sexuality. He holds Masters degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Divinity. He believes healing happens through authentic connection and provides a safe, collaborative space for individuals of all identities and backgrounds, respecting each person’s worldview and spiritual framework. He values diverse perspectives including insights from metaphysics, neuroscience, quantum theory, and near-death experiences.

“Satisfied”

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Richard Marx

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC

“Happy Mistakes”

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Stefani Germanotta & Michael Tucker

Lyrics © Sony/atv Songs Llc, Sg Songs Worldwide, Genpop Music

“People Like Us”

Sung by Abby Cole

Written by James Michael, Meghan Kabir & Blair Daly

Volcano Entertainment III, LLC

"Together in 111" Renamed: Together to Gather

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:43:26 GMT

Together to Gather

When The Garden was at Union Chapel, the name of our after-service gatherings, “Together in 111,” represented more than just a meeting in a certain room — it was a literal space, but also a spiritual one where connection, growth, and shared purpose took root. As we move beyond that physical space and grow into new possibilities, we’ve chosen a new name that carries this spirit forward: “Together to Gather.”

While this new name is playful punny, it also speaks to why we come together. Our gathering isn’t just a habit; it’s an intentional act of community. Whether we’re sharing stories, learning something new, discussing important topics, watching a video, or hearing a guest share insights, we grow in spirit when we do so as a community. "Together to Gather" celebrates the joy and depth we find in simply showing up — on purpose — and with each other.

Together to Gather meets most Sundays right after The Garden service.

Celebrating the Creative Spirit with guest Ryan Lott

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:05:52 GMT

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.

"I’ve Got to Use My Imagination"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Gerry Goffin & Barry Goldberg

"Sir Duke"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Stevie Wonder

Sir Duke lyrics © Black Bull Music, Jobete Music Co Inc, Black-bull-music, Inc., Jobete Music Co., Inc., Jobete Music Co. Inc., Black-bull-music Inc.

"Artist of My Soul"

Sung by Abby Cole

Written by Rick Vale

Looking Back | The Garden Then to Now

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:57:58 GMT

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.

Summary from the video:

This conversation in "Together to Gather" presents an intimate and reflective conversation about the history, evolution, and impact of a progressive faith community known as "The Garden," originally part of St. Luke’s and later becoming an independent United Methodist congregation. The discussion centers around the founding vision inspired by a dream in 1994, the leadership styles of pastors Linda and Carolyn, the community’s unique integration of secular music and movie clips in worship, and the challenges and growth experienced through pastoral transitions and organizational independence.

Linda McCoy, the founding pastor, envisioned The Garden as a spiritual space that blends sacred and secular elements. Her leadership was characterized by contemplative sermons influenced by Celtic spirituality and a creative worship style featuring carefully curated movie clips and secular music that resonated deeply with the congregation. This innovative approach attracted many who felt disconnected from traditional churches.

Carolyn succeeded Linda during a difficult transition marked by tension and division as the congregation adjusted to a more overtly Jesus-centered message. Despite initial resistance and significant attrition, Carolyn’s persistence and authenticity eventually solidified her acceptance, and the community grew stronger. The Garden’s move from its connection to St. Luke’s to becoming a fully independent United Methodist church also brought financial and administrative challenges, but the community's resilience and commitment helped it endure.

The conversation highlights The Garden’s emphasis on inclusivity, social activism, and community connection rather than traditional church structures or dogma. The music and multimedia worship elements provided a fresh, relatable spiritual experience that helped members connect personally and emotionally. The narrative also touches on personal stories of community members, the creative talents involved, and the evolving leadership that shaped The Garden into a beloved spiritual home despite hardships.

Highlights

The Garden’s founding vision came from a dream in 1994, inspiring a unique faith community.
Innovative use of secular movie clips and music became central to worship and community identity.
Linda’s leadership style was contemplative, Celtic spirituality-influenced, and deeply personal.
The transition from Linda to Carolyn was challenging, marked by tensions and significant change.
The Garden transitioned from being part of St. Luke’s to an independent United Methodist church, facing financial and organizational hurdles.
Music and multimedia were key in making spirituality accessible and relatable to an unchurched and diverse congregation.
The Garden community emphasizes inclusivity, social activism, and resilience over traditional church norms.

Key Takeaways

Vision and Divine Inspiration as Foundation:
The Garden’s inception was rooted in a personal dream experienced by Linda, symbolizing divine guidance in shaping a new form of ministry. This highlights how spiritual communities often emerge through profound personal revelations and a willingness to pursue unconventional paths, reinforcing the power of faith-led initiatives.

Blending Sacred and Secular in Worship
The Garden’s integration of secular movie clips and popular music into worship was a pioneering approach that speaks to the evolving nature of spiritual engagement. By using culturally relevant media, the community created a worship experience that was both accessible and emotionally resonant, helping members connect faith to everyday life in meaningful ways.

Celtic Spirituality and Contemplative Style:
Linda’s emphasis on Celtic spirituality and contemplative preaching provided a unique spiritual depth that contrasted with mainstream evangelical or traditional liturgy. This approach fostered a space for reflection, inclusivity, and a spiritual home for those seeking something beyond conventional religious expressions.

Leadership Transition Challenges:
The shift from Linda to Carolyn exemplifies common difficulties religious communities face when changing leadership, especially when the incoming leader brings a different style and theological emphasis. The initial friction and departure of members underscore the emotional attachment congregants have to pastoral figures and the challenge of balancing continuity with change.

Financial and Organizational Independence:
The move from being supported by St. Luke’s to full independence as a United Methodist church involved significant financial strain and organizational restructuring. This transition illustrates the complexities small faith communities face when striving for autonomy, including governance, sustainability, and identity consolidation.

Music as a Spiritual and Community Connector:
Music—particularly secular and diverse genres—and the creative production of worship videos played a critical role in forming community identity and engaging congregants. This shows the importance of arts and media in modern religious practice, not just as aesthetic elements but as integral parts of spiritual formation and community cohesion.

Inclusivity and Social Activism as Core Values
The Garden’s commitment to inclusivity, welcoming LGBTQ+ members, and engaging in social issues positions it as a socially conscious faith community. This reflects a broader trend of progressive churches redefining ministry to include activism and social justice as spiritual imperatives, fostering a sense of purpose beyond worship alone.

Community Resilience and Adaptability
Despite leadership changes, theological shifts, and logistical challenges including pandemic disruptions, The Garden’s community demonstrated resilience. The emphasis on the people rather than the physical space highlights how relational bonds and shared values sustain faith communities through uncertainty.

Personal Growth and Theological Evolution:
Carolyn’s candid sharing about her personal struggles and evolving theology reveals how ministry leadership is a journey marked by vulnerability, self-discovery, and adaptation. It underscores that effective leadership often involves balancing authenticity with the needs of a diverse congregation.

Role of Multimedia and Technology in Ministry
The Garden’s early use of video editing, music production, and creative presentations—-often by volunteers or gifted congregants-—demonstrates how technology can empower small faith communities to craft compelling worship experiences and expand their reach, even before widespread streaming was common.

Non-Traditional Church Model
The Garden’s lack of a permanent building and reliance on various venues for gatherings emphasize a non-traditional ecclesiology focused on community and mission rather than property or institutional structures, aligning with emerging models of fluid and networked spirituality.

The dialogue shed light on how a faith community can innovate worship, navigate leadership and structural transitions, and remain committed to inclusivity and social engagement, offering valuable lessons for religious leaders and communities seeking relevance and vitality in contemporary contexts.

The Gentle Power of Good Neighbors

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:30:02 GMT

Appreciating Kindness Right Next Door

I live across the street from Morrie Dock, a retired pharmacist, married to Barb Bixler. He’s a friendly guy who loves to chat. When new people move into the neighborhood, he brings them challah bread and gefilte fish as a welcoming gift.

At the other end of the block lives Ruth Hayes, the dominant force in the Nora Community Council for years. She was both loved and feared for her fierce determination to keep Nora free of billboards and high-rise buildings. Ruth is now a widow in her late 80s. Sometimes I see her with her walker out for a stroll down Pennsylvania Street.

Weeks ago, as I drove by her house, I saw Ruth struggling to bend over with her walker to pick up her newspaper (yes, some of us are still hanging on to the paper copies of the Star delivered to our houses). Later that day, I mentioned to Morrie that Ruth was having some trouble getting around.

The next day, as I was driving north on Pennsylvania, I saw Morrie walking toward me, so I stopped to chat. Turns out Morrie had decided to walk down to Ruth’s every day and place her paper on her doorstep. (Morrie gets a paper too, so he knows when it’s delivered.)

A week or so went by, and my paper started showing up on my doorstep. I knew immediately that Morrie was delivering to me too. On my morning walks, I’ve also seen him delivering papers on Washington Boulevard.

Morrie is my hero!

Three houses south of my house lives Sam LeStourgeon, a retired salesman, married to Karen. He’s devoted to Scouting and has positively influenced hundreds of young men. He’s a friendly guy too—another one of my chatty neighbors!

One day, as I was driving to church, I thought I saw Sam working in the median east of North Central on 86th Street. I texted him to ask if that was him. Turns out Sam “watches over” all the medians on 86th Street from St. Vincent Hospital to Keystone.

He drives his riding mower north on Pennsylvania and mows the two medians on 86th Street closest to Pennsylvania. The other medians he trims, weeds, sprays, and pesters the city to come mow. Some of the medians are “sponsored,” and he’s working to get sponsors for the rest. He even set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the job. He told me he gave up his gym membership because he gets all the workout he can stand doing the medians.

Sam is my hero!

I’m blessed to know these two wonderful men. If I were ever in trouble, I’m certain I could pick up the phone and they would come running. Our neighborhood is fortunate because Morrie and Sam live among us. They are our neighborhood’s unsung heroes!

Just Passing Through

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:03:41 GMT

Together, Let's See What's Next

Each week, Miss Leanne leads a program for The Garden kiddos called “Stepping Stones.” Every Sunday, kids explore meaningful teachings that set them on a path of discovery and growth. Whatever our age, we're always on a path like stepping stones. Our experiences from childhood to seniority all represent lessons, and each step has purpose. Each trial strengthens us, and our light can shine bright in the darkness around us.

As we take another step this weekend to our temporary location at 740 East 86th Street, we will consider what this means and how we can live with intention during this time. Though the space may be unfamiliar, the spirit of togetherness and reflection remains unchanged. These moments of transition remind us that faith isn’t tied to a building—it travels with us, in our hearts and in our shared commitment to grow.

Let’s walk together on these next stepping stones and focus on our journey forward. Let’s embrace the new, celebrate the familiar, and trust that every step we take is guided by grace. Join us Sunday for “Just Passing Through”—and let’s make this step one of hope, purpose, and connection.ost goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

"Hit the Road, Jack"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Percy Mayfield

Lyrics © Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd., Tangerine Music Corp.

"We May Never Pass This Way Again"

Sung by Michael Read and Caroline Smith

Written by Jimmy Seals & Darrell G. Crofts

Lyrics © Sutjujo Music, Faizilu Publishing

"Life is a Highway"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Thomas William Cochrane

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Canada, Pw Arrangements

Little Star

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:34:26 GMT

Welcome, IYG, our next Big Give Recipient!

Join us this Sunday as we warmly welcome our friends from The Garden’s next Big Give recipient: the Indiana Youth Group (IYG)!

The IYG logo—a colorful asterisk known as the “Little Star”—invites us to look beyond appearances and appreciate the rich diversity of the queer community within both our local and global families. According to IYG’s website, their logo draws inspiration from the asterisk as a typographical symbol, which is “used to indicate that there is more than initially observable [and that the] subject requires additional research or context to be truly and fully understood. More to discover.”

What a beautiful parallel—the asterisk, a small star, holds this deeper meaning! Stars naturally evoke wonder and curiosity—qualities that open our hearts to discovery, understanding, and celebration of a vibrant world filled with diversity and beauty.

This Sunday, let’s explore how we can help create a community where every young person feels recognized, valued, and deeply loved. Each child is a unique spark of God’s spirit—cherished and beloved. Together, we can empower them to shine even brighter.

Don’t miss this inspiring gathering as we celebrate the “Little Stars” among us and commit to nurturing the next generation. Join us in joyful connection and meaningful conversation on how we can uplift Indy’s youth and help them flourish into their fullest, most authentic selves.

Let Freedom Ring

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:48:01 GMT

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!

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 14:18:17 GMT

Messages from the Mountaintop

Today we conclude our journey through the Beatitudes with these words: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” This is more than a promise-—it is a divine calling to pursue peace in every area of our lives.

Peacemakers don’t passively hope for harmony; they actively engage in healing divisions, resolving conflict, and cultivating understanding. In a world fractured by social, political, and personal tensions, this calling is not reserved for a few-—it’s meant for all of us.

Every day, we witness the effects of violence, hostility, and discord. Our faith reminds us that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, love, and understanding. To be a peacemaker is to embody love, to listen deeply, and to foster dialogue even amid disagreement.

This Sunday, we’ll take a closer look at what it truly means to be a peacemaker and how each of us is invited to take part in building a more peaceful world. Join us for Messages from the Mountaintop: Blessed are the Peacemakers.

Planting for Change

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:35:08 GMT

The Greenhouse Challenge Continues

In January, The Garden began an exciting process we call “The Garden Greenhouse Challenge.” Our mission? To explore a transformative question: “Beyond the Sunday experience, how might we foster sacred exploration, create vibrant community, and make a positive impact in the world in innovative ways?”

This question ignited a series of dynamic gatherings and heartfelt conversations, through which we envisioned a future filled with purpose and creativity. We prayed, dreamed, and deeply engaged with our community within The Garden and beyond.

We are now 6 months into the adventure and have engaged with prototypes and partnerships. We continue our conversations around community and space, while developing a plan for the future. Some things are clear. Many important details remain undetermined. As what we're planting begins to germinate, we do not know exactly how what grows will eventually look, but we have planted the seeds, and we are carefully tending and nurturing them.

Join us Sunday for updates on The Garden Greenhouse Challenge.

Faith Distorted: Confronting Superficiality and Reclaiming Depth

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Richard Rohr on Jesus, Justice, and the Crisis of Shallow Spirituality

For over twenty years, I had the pleasure of hosting a weekly radio show titled JourneysFire with Richard Brendan , which featured leading visionaries and social change artists. Among the most profound conversations featured on the show was an interview with bestselling author and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, Fr. Richard Rohr. The following is an excerpt from our conversation, in which Rohr confronts the distortion of faith, the too-often-ignored radical nature of Jesus, and the urgent need for deeper reflection in our world today.

RB (Richard Brendan): Richard, what do you see? As a religious leader yourself, what do you see as the top issues that we need to be addressing in our country? For so long, what we call the religious right has dominated the discussion around "family values," around the abortion issue, same-sex marriage, but there are so many more issues that need to come to the forefront that has everything to do with values.

RR (Richard Rohr): Yes. It's amazing that we've been able to create, like the two you mentioned, litmus tests that have not been litmus tests for the first 1,900 years of Christianity. It's like, where did these come from as a prooftext of whether you're really a Christian or not? And as a Catholic who tries to honor the whole tradition, I want to say where did that come from? You know it's dealing with cultural issues and purity codes and the need to feel superior and right much more than any reliance upon the teachings of Jesus, who never talks about either of those issues, for example, whereas almost every other story of Jesus is talking about love and concern for the poor. So it's really amazing that people who consider themselves followers of Jesus have been able to ignore many of the major things that Jesus talked about.

RB: Talk more about what I would consider the radical nature of Jesus that we often don't hear about, but I think we are now. but just how radical was he?

RR: We have churchified Jesus and we took him out of his historical Jewish reformist context, and we pretty much made him a white, middle-class American, concerned about the same issues that we are obsessed with or preoccupied with. And once you do that, once you pull him out of his Jewish context as a reformer of his own religion, and therefore a reformer of all religion, I think you pretty much have domesticated Jesus. And the things that we are concerned about are very different from the much more radical concerns of his, which have to do with justice, with mercy, and the poor.

RB: Richard, do you see any issues overriding any others that are taking place in the world today, that you deem most important?

RR: This is what comes to my mind right now. I think our biggest problem is superficiality. We have an amazing preoccupation with silliness, with issues of no account, with the lives of movie stars. I think this superficiality is leading us to miss the heart of most issues because we just don't go deep. We settle for cliches', for one-liners, for very quick explanations for everything, and that's what allows us to not to see the evil of war, not to see the global warming issue as a moral issue, not to see the oppression of the poor as a moral issue. It's just that - we're not bad people. We;re just not very deep people.

Fr. Richard Rohr’s insights remind us that honest spirituality calls us to transcend superficiality and engage with the deeper, frequently uncomfortable realities of justice, mercy, and the human condition. His reflections urge us to reclaim a faith rooted in love and concern for the marginalized instead of one reduced to cultural litmus tests. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, can we choose depth over distraction? Will we choose transformation over mere tradition?

Behind a Shield: Seeing My Father for Who He Was

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:00:02 GMT

A Father's Day Reflection

As children, we give our fathers and mothers special status. For better or worse, they hold power over us. We’re vulnerable to and with them. We’re shaped by them, whether we conform to their expectations or actively diverge from them. Even if they’re been absent, they have an impact.

I didn’t have a close relationship with my father. We saw the world very differently. But in my younger years I enjoyed spending time with him. I remember the smell of his workshop, our garage: the scents of motor oil, dirt, dampness, and the distinct odor of metal. And the images of it: those banged-up trash cans to my right as I walked in, next to the big overhead door, open in warm weather, closed in cold; half of the two-car bay empty but for tools and stuff lying on the cement floor, the other half occupied by an old truck I’m sure he tinkered on for years, a truck I don't think I ever saw run. The room was lit by fluorescents and natural light filtered through dusty windows onto cracked pegboard walls holding tools over a workbench with its jars and coffee cans of unsorted screws, nails, and bolts, and my father’s breakfast beer, fizzing by the radio speaker. It was a bit like Sanford and Son, but without the catchy theme music.

One day in that garage, he told me about his work in a tone that made clear he had no love for it. “I crawl into a hole and stare a light all day. Then I come home.” He was a welder. And on weekends, he found ways to put his main vocational skill to use at home. He had a welding machine at home and would use it to patch up old cars and I’m not sure what else. The first time I saw him welding, he warned me, “Don’t look at the light—you’ll go blind.” He reached into a tool box. “You have to look through this,” he said, and gave me a piece of glass like the one in his face shield, so black I could see nothing through it at all. But when he started working again, I saw the glow, still intense but not painful, and a shower of sparks. This was the light he focused on for hours on end, mending ships and submarines at a job he disliked to support his family. All this time staring at a bright light surrounded by the absolute darkness.

I think Sunday mornings were one of my father’s favorite times. I would wake up in the room I shared with my older brother to the sound of hateful, self-righteous, angry sermons. Dad favored Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, and Vernon McGee, and their voices echoed down the hall from the kitchen into my room. My father turned the volume of the radio or TV up high so he could hear it wherever he went in the house. Many Sunday mornings he wasn’t even in the house when I woke up, but he had the sermon on so he could hear it if he stepped inside from the garage where a second radio or TV blared the same broadcast. I really hated that sound, but somehow it comforted him.

He had good reason to wear that shield when he was working, so he wouldn’t be blinded or burned. It offered real protection. And the sermons he studied also shielded him, severely restricting his view of the world. Both at work and at home, he saw world through a very dark lens.

Fatherhood is complicated. Labels and archetypes add layers and nuances of expectation that few of us can live up to fully. I was well into my thirties when I first understood— really understood—that my father was just a person. He judged himself harshly. He loved his children fiercely. He worked hard to support his family. And he tried to live up to the expectations he believed the world had of him. Shaped by his own upbringing—by parents who were themselves just people; by his limitations, real and perceived; and by his faith, rooted in 'fear of God'—he did the best he could.

Our Fathers

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:35:19 GMT

Father's Day at The Garden

The observance of Father's Day began nearly a hundred years ago in the United States. Upon hearing a sermon about the newly-recognized (though not yet official, nationally) Mother's Day, Sonora Smart Dodd, daughter of an American Civil War veteran, advocated with the Spokane Ministerial Alliance for a Father's Day. Dodd's mother had passed away when she was only sixteen, so her father raised six children as a single parent. It would be 58 years before for Father’s Day received official national recognition.

For Father's Day this Sunday at The Garden, we'll hear stories and reflections on fathers, fathering, and fatherhood. We look forward to seeing you there!

Some fun facts about Father’s Day:

The first known Father’s Day service was held in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1908, after a mining accident in which hundreds of men died.

There was some resistance early on to the idea of a Father's Day holiday, primarily from men who saw it as unnecessary or overly sentimental.

Some people observe the tradition of wearing a red rose if their father is living and a white rose if he has passed away.

Father’s Day is now celebrated worldwide, though different countries observe it on different dates. In the U.S., it always falls on the third Sunday in June.

Versions of Father’s Day are celebrated differently in countries across the globe, each reflecting cultural traditions and historical influences.

"Daddy Could Swear, I Declare"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Gladys Knight, Johnny William Bristol & Merald Knight

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

"Wind Beneath My Wings"

Sung by Abby Cole

Written by Larry Henley & Jeff Silbar

Lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Silbar Songs, Musiccube Inc

"Leader of the Band"

Sung by Doran Nash

Written by Dan Fogelberg

"I'll Be There"

Sung by Deb Mullins

Written by Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Berry Gordy, & Bob West

From Shattered to Sacred: Finding Strength in Life’s Storms

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:27:00 GMT

Kintsugi , Renewal, and the Grace of Transformation

We all have to navigate change in our lives. Hurricanes and tornadoes affect millions of people in our country, and there are also the internal storms that ebb and flow in our thoughts and emotions like the waves of an ocean. The question when we face a challenge –– a storm –– is this: will we be broken down and defeated, or broken open and transformed?

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. The mended piece is believed to be more beautiful, more valuable, and stronger, because it has been transformed through suffering.

When life breaks you, every piece of you that feels shattered is a piece that will find a new place, a new purpose, a new meaning. Trust that the cracks are where the light gets in. And sometimes, in our brokenness, we find our greatest wholeness. We find the courage to rebuild, to reimagine, to redefine what it means to be strong. You are NOT broken; you are breaking through...

Here are a few coping strategies for times of struggle:

Practice mindfulness. Learn to embrace the unknown.
Find your support system: friends, family, a therapist
Self care: healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, exercise, and drinking lots of water.
Listen to your heart, pursue your dreams, overcome fear.
Music can provide strength and resilience during difficult times.

As you navigate the storms of life, please know that God is always with you.

The Lord your God is in your midst...

he will rejoice over you with gladness...

he will quiet you with his love.

––Zephaniah 3:17

A Treatment Plan for Life

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 21:50:19 GMT

Messages from the Mountaintop

Twice a year, I find myself seated in the dentist’s chair, the bright lights shining down as he performs his examination. After his assessment, he gives me a treatment plan—-a roadmap for my dental health. It typically includes any procedures he recommends, and he outlines my responsibilities for self care.

In today’s scripture, we see Jesus doing something similar. He looks at the community with compassion and insight, offering them a treatment plan for truly flourishing lives. As we look deeper into these two sentences from the Beatitudes in his Sermon on the Mount, we find further insights about mercy and purity—-two essential elements at the core of our faith. These verses shine a light on the deep connection between how we treat others and our own spiritual transformation.

This Sunday, we'll explore what mercy and purity meant in the original context of Jesus' words and how they resonate today. We’ll reflect on our role in engaging with Jesus’ treatment plan for the health and well-being of others, recognizing how our actions serve our own spiritual journeys.

We are all in need of extending and receiving mercy. The only path to achieving this is by tending to our spiritual pathway. Join us this Sunday for "Lessons from the Mountain Top: A Treatment Plan for Life," where we will uncover the blessings that await us when we embrace mercy and purity.

A Plan for Living

Tue, 27 May 2025 14:17:53 GMT

Messages from the Mountaintop

I believe the desire for "success" (however one defines it) comes from a deep spiritual longing as we seek to find our way, our purpose, and our identity. Our world and the universe beyond are so vast, we're inevitably humbled when we try to find our place in it.

As physical beings, we need––and crave––food and water, but this hunger and thirst also represent a need for something that a higher power can provide: a recognition that no earthy thing, no success or possession or relationship, can satisfy our deep need to know our place in it all, and to feel we are doing what is right.

This weekend, I'll share about my recent exploration of two sentences from the Beatitudes that, for me, pack a big punch. With just two thoughts, Jesus offers us a teaching on attitude and eating right, advice we would all do well to take to heart and put into practice. I hope you'll join us this Sunday for Lessons from the Mountaintop: A Plan for Living.

"Listen to the Music"

Sung by Dave Bradley.

Written by Tom Johnston and originally recorded by The Doobie Brothers

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

"Beauty in Humility"

Written and Sung by by Michael Read

"Mileage"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Ruthie Foster, Tyler Bryant, and Rebecca Lowell

After Tragedy: Supporting Jewish Friends in Uncertain Times

Fri, 23 May 2025 18:50:12 GMT

Speaking Up for Jewish Safety in a Divided World

You are, no doubt, as horrified as I am by the brutal murders of two young Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, as they left a Jewish diplomatic reception in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 21. The person who has admitted to killing them seems to be motivated by his opposition to the war in Gaza. These murders reminded me of a program I attended a few weeks ago about the “State of Antisemitism in Indiana.” This was a program offered by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Community Relations Council , and the Jewish Community Center . I had my eyes opened to the enormous rise in reported antisemitic actions in 2023 and 2024. Much of the increase stems from responses to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. The speaker from the ADL clarified that criticism of the war in Gaza does not equate to antisemitism.

How is antisemitism commonly defined? “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Some of the reported incidents in Indiana were vandalism of property with the use of swastikas. Other incidents involved the distribution of antisemitic fliers in Carmel and Fishers. There were no physical assaults reported. To protect the safety of their members, the JCC and the synagogues have hired security teams.

Jewish communities are deeply concerned about verbal attacks on children from grade school to college. I am aware of an unfortunate incident at the Smokey Row Elementary School in Carmel on March 7, 2025. The school held their annual international festival and one booth had content that stated “the children of Israel have always been a difficult nation” and asked “Did the Jews kill Issa (Jesus)?” This references a centuries-old belief that is at the root of Christian anti-semitism––something wholly inappropriate for a public grade school event.

After the murders this week, I wonder what I can do. My first thought is to make sure that the Christians I know are aware that our Jewish siblings are feeling unsafe and under attack. That’s the purpose of this blog. My second thought is to bring the subject up with my Jewish friends. I would like to know if they feel unsafe as they go about their everyday activities. Are their children and grandchildren being harassed at school? What about all the attention by the Trump administration on protests on college campuses and the accusation that colleges and universities aren’t doing enough to keep their Jewish students safe? Is this really supportive of Jewish students or is it using Jewish students to attack the universities? What about people who are being deported because they speak out against the war in Gaza? I want my Jewish friends to know I am interested in their well-being and the well-being of their families and friends. I can’t prevent the attacks but I can link arms with my Jewish friends to a promote a safe, healthy community. You can, too!

---------------

Resources to Address and Challenge Anti-Semitism from the Anti-Defamation League

Teaching Materials on Anti-Semitism and Racism from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Important note: In researching educational resources to accompany this post from Betty, I found a link to a page from Indiana University offering information about anti-semitism. However, when I tried to visit the page, I discovered it no longer exists. IU has removed all reference to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) because, at Trump's direction, the U.S. Department of Education issued directives warning that schools must eliminate DEI initiatives or risk losing federal financial assistance.

–Matthew Vire

Director of Communications for The Garden

Broken Open: Blessed are Those Who Mourn

Tue, 20 May 2025 14:59:07 GMT

Messages from the Mountaintop

This Sunday, we continue with "Messages from the Mountaintop", with focus on the second of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted."

This Beatitude touches the heart and soul of what it is to be a person of faith. It hits close to home for me personally as I, like many of you, have experienced personal grief. In my many years of service as a hospice chaplain, I have companioned others when they needed to walk through the valley of the shadow of grief.

We describe Grief as a profound sense of loss, but it's much more than that. It is love with nowhere to go, a seemingly endless river of emotions than can consume us as we navigate the pain and heartache of a loss. When we love someone deeply, and they are no longer with us, it's as if a piece of our heart has been ripped away, leaving a void that feels impossible to fill.

With grief comes tears, which are therapeutic and healing. When we have an open heart and we experience loss of some kind, crying is a natural and essential part of being human. The great 19th century American short-story writer, essayist, and diplomat Washington Irving wrote, "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love."

This Sunday, I will share insights on grief and mourning, and also the many beautiful and healing ways that we can give and receive comfort.

–Rev. Richard Brendan

"Winning"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by Russell Glyn Ballard

Winning lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

"Go Rest High On That Mountain"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Vincent Grant Gill

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

"Ribbon In The Sky"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Stevie Wonder

Lyrics © Black Bull Music, Jobete Music Co Inc

Messages from the Mountaintop

Tue, 13 May 2025 17:04:50 GMT

Who's On Your Mt. Rushmore?

Once a month or so, my godson, CK, answers this question from one of his dad’s: “Who is on your Mount Rushmore right now?” He replies with the names of three or four people in his life that he looks up to, people he who support, mentor, or inspire him to be the best person he can be. Sometimes CK chooses people like the Dalai Lama, and other times includes a close peer, a teacher, or favorite artist. I like the question. Who’s faces would I like to see carved into stone? Which persons represent the best of humanity? Who inspires me?

As I am a pastor, it will surprise no one that Jesus would be on my Mount Rushmore. I might also include Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi. Each of these leaders shared ideals that changed the world. They all committed to nonviolence and peaceful resistance against injustice. Fearlessly, they called out abuses of power and worked to uplift all people—not just the wealthy and powerful. Their resolve to live by their ideals led them to endure; indeed, each was martyred for daring to preach unconditional love in action. They envisioned a world where all people could be treated with fairness and dignity, regardless of status. Through their words and actions, they demonstrated unwavering courage and a steadfast commitment to uplifting humanity.

I have been pondering a message series on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount and how we might explore them not only in a uniquely “Gardenesque” way, but also in a contemporary context. What do they mean to us in this moment in time?

Mount Rushmore and the Sermon on the Mount are two landmarks that, at first glance, may seem un-connected. One is a literal monument, looming over the Black Hills, sculpted with the intent to honor figures who shaped a nation. The other represents a message that would change the world, delivered not in stone but in words—a call to live with humility, compassion, and love. Both ask us to reflect: Who do we look up to? What ideals do we want to carve into our lives?

When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, he wasn’t building a monument but offering a blueprint for a world where the poor in spirit find strength, the peacemakers find honor and respect, and those who hunger for justice are satiated. The message was not just a sermon—it was an invitation.

As I think about who would be on my personal Mount Rushmore, I ask myself: How do these ideals inspire me today? More importantly, how can they move us—not just to admire them, but to live them? I believe in the end it is not about who we honor in stone, but who we remember for the impact they made in the lives of others. It’s about how we contribute to their loving legacy through our actions, through the way we live, the way we vote, and the way we treat each other.

So—-who is on your Mount Rushmore? And how might the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount shape your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to make?

"Livin’ On A Prayer"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child & Richard Sambora

Lyrics © Bon Jovi Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Aggressive Music, Universal Polygram Int. Publishing Inc.

"Down On Me"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Janis Joplin

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

"God Is Good"

Sung by John McClain

Written by Jonathan Caleb McReynolds

If you're interested in the First Nations Bible translation mentioned in today's service, you can find it here .

The book of poetry Carolyn mentions in the service is What Narcissism Means to Me by Tony Hoagland

Be "WOKE" Like Jesus

Sat, 10 May 2025 16:26:32 GMT

Jesus Was Woke.

You probably know the origin of the word “woke,” but just in case you don’t, it emerged from the struggles of Black Americans in the early 20th century. In 1938, Black blues singer Huddie Ledbetter used the term “staying woke” in his song about the Scottsboro Boys, referring to the forces that kept power unequally distributed in society, disproportionately disadvantaging the poor and people of color.

In today’s hyper-politicized culture, “woke” has been hijacked and turned into a term used to criticize progressive and liberal initiatives. Shockingly, some churches in the South have been reported to discourage preachers from teaching Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount because it is deemed too “woke.” But Jesus himself was “woke!”

The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous of all Jesus’ teachings. Even if someone is unfamiliar with the Bible, they likely know the Beatitudes and Matthew 25:36–40—a passage that serves as a foundation for mercy and justice throughout the Christian world:

"I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you visited me."

Then the righteous will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

And the King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

So, what are we—as Progressive Christians—to do? Can we take inspiration from our Black siblings and reclaim “woke” as a declaration of resistance against White Christian Nationalism and the injustices of the Trump administration? Can it become our word of empowerment? Can we announce our solidarity with Jesus as we fight against today’s injustices?

Imagine wearing a T-shirt that says, “WOKE just means you give a damn about other people.” Or a yard sign proclaiming, “WOKE: it’s not the insult you think it is.” You can even buy “Stay Woke” buttons in a variety of colors, or find “Jesus Was Woke” buttons on Etsy.

Now is the time to stand tall and declare our commitment to all of God’s children who are targeted because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their religion, or their immigration status. And in doing so, we are in the company of Woke Jesus.

Mother's Day

Mon, 05 May 2025 21:23:39 GMT

Some interesting facts about this special day

We will celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday at The Garden!

Did you know:

• While they didn't observe a "Mother's Day", ancient Greeks and Romans held festivals honoring mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele. These celebrations often involved rituals and feasts to honor the divine feminine.

• In the Christian tradition, the fourth Sunday of Lent was observed as "Mothering Sunday." This day allowed people to return to their "mother church," the main church of their area, and was a time for family reunions. During this period, children would often give gifts to their mothers.

• The modern celebration of Mother’s Day began in the 19th century with Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for a day to honor mothers in the United States. After her mother’s death in 1905, she organized a memorial for her, advocating for a national holiday to celebrate all mothers. Later in her life, Jarvis called for boycotts of Mother's Day because it had become so commercialized.

• In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

• More than a hundred countries globally celebrate Mother's Day with on varying dates and with diverse traditions.

• People make more phone calls on Mother's Day than any other day of the year.

• Mother's Day has a traditional flower: the carnation, with a white carnation representing mother's who have passed, and red ones for living mothers.

• In the United States, people spend over $3 billion on flowers and plants for Mother's Day.

• In the UK, Mother's Day started as "Mothering Sunday", a religious tradition where people went back to their "mother church" and spent time with their families.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate and share in this rich tradition with “Do you want to be the Mother?”

"Mother"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush

Mother lyrics © BMG Rights Management

"A Gift From Heaven Above"

Written and Sung By Brenda Freije

"Mama Said"

Sung by Ali Peck

Written by Luther Dixon & Willie Denson

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

"Song for My Children"

Sung by Joey McClain

Written by Dave Barnes

Timely Movies

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:51:17 GMT

Conclave and Penguin Lessons

Occasionally, a movie producer gets lucky and unknowingly creates a film that proves to be incredibly timely. That’s the case with two movies currently available: Conclave and Penguin Lessons .

Conclave is based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name. The plot centers on the selection of a new pope. Named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the American Film Institute, it received eight nominations at the 97th Academy Awards. It might have faded out of the spotlight, but on April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away. Suddenly, people who had no prior interest in the film were streaming it, eager to learn about the process that will begin on May 7, when Catholic cardinals assemble to select a new pope.

Certainly, the outcome in Rome will differ from the one portrayed in the film and novel, but the process remains the same. That’s why you should watch this movie. Even if you’re not Catholic and have never been interested in how a pope is chosen, you now have an opportunity to witness the emergence of a new moral voice for the world.

Who will the cardinals choose? Will he follow in Pope Francis’s footsteps? Will he reverse course and be more conservative? Will he come from Africa or Asia? What personal experiences will he bring with him? Will he reach out his hand to leaders from other faith traditions as Pope Francis did? So many questions. We’ll begin to get some answers sometime in May, when white smoke announces that a new pope has been selected.

The other incredibly timely movie is lesser known. Penguin Lessons is a 2024 film based on Tom Mitchell’s 2015 memoir . The central story follows a British teacher who finds himself teaching at a boys’ school in Argentina in the 1970s. He rescues a penguin on the beach and takes it back to school, where the bird becomes a catalyst for transforming his classroom.

That’s the “penguin lesson,” but not the reason the movie and memoir feel timely. A secondary storyline explores the brutal regime in Argentina during the 1970s, when people were picked up off the streets and simply “disappeared.” The teacher witnesses a woman he knows being taken from a street corner and does nothing. Haunted by his failure to act, he later makes a decision to right his wrong.

This part of the film raises all sorts of pressing questions in today’s world. What would I do if I witnessed someone being taken? What does it say about a country where such a thing is possible? Is there something I can do to stand up for due process?

I’ve seen both of these movies and highly recommend that you do too. They’ve left a lasting impression on me. If you’d like to get together and talk about their relevance in today’s rapidly changing world, send me an email: betty@thegardenonline.org.

Insights from The Greenhouse Challenge

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:56:43 GMT

Progress Report

This weekend, the leaders of the Garden Greenhouse Challenge teams will share some insights and discoveries made during the first few phases of this project. As we reflect on the ideas and opportunities, we will explore the potential paths ahead, and consider possibilities. This is an important moment for us as a community to pause, listen, and dream about the future we wish to cultivate together.

Together, we will dig into how we may continue to co-create a community that fosters belonging-—a place where everyone feels welcome and valued. We will reflect on ways we may nurture spiritual growth, engage in creative arts, and channel our gifts to inspire and transform the world through kindness, compassion, and the love of God.

This is more than a conversation; it’s an invitation to co-create the future of The Garden. By coming together and sharing ideas, we plant seeds for sacred exploration, vibrant community, and profound impact, ensuring that The Garden continues to thrive in fulfilling its mission for years to come. See you Sunday for "Insights"!

"Upside Down"

Sung by Doran Nash

Written by Jack Hody Johnson

Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

"I Look to You"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Robert S. Kelly

"Try a Little Kindness"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by Bobby Austin & Curt Sapaugh

Lyrics © Beechwood Music Corporation, Glen Campbell Music Inc.

When I Was Hungry

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:45:09 GMT

Let's be the change we want to see

On Sunday, we will once again welcome our friends from Bread for the World to The Garden. Over the years, we have partnered with Bread for the World to help combat hunger and provide hope and nourishment to people in need. As an advocacy organization, Bread for the World passionately works to push decision-makers to take action and help create a world where no one goes hungry. Their mission is rooted in educating and equipping individuals to advocate for impactful policies and programs that address hunger here in the U.S. and globally. There is enough for everyone if we collectively make this a priority!

This weekend during our service, we invite you to be part of this meaningful cause. You will have the chance to lend your voice to those who may feel unheard and advocate for change that uplifts the lives of the hungry. Throughout scripture, Jesus calls on us to be His hands and feet, to share compassion, and to respond to the needs around us. Will we answer this calling and embody love through action? Together, we can make a difference. Join us this Sunday for “When I was Hungry,” and let’s be the change we want to see in the world. We look forward to seeing you there!

Good Friday

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT

"Easy on Me"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Songwriters: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins & Gregory Allen Kurstin.

"Easy on Me" lyrics © Jack Reynolds, Jack Reynolds Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

"Sorrow's Got a Hold on Me"

Sung by Dave Bradley

"Sorrow's Got a Hold On Me" lyrics © Integrity's Alleluia! Music, Paul Zach Publishing, Kate Bluett Music

"Soon You'll Get Better"

Sung by Abby Cole

"Soon You'll Get Better" lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

We Have Confirmation

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:57:30 GMT

Easter Sunday

Join us this Easter Sunday for a special Confirmation service. Confirmation is more than just a ritual; it is a chosen, pivotal step on an individual's spiritual path. While baptism celebrates God’s boundless love for each of us, through confirmation we declare our profession of love and commitment to God.

This Sunday, we will have the joy of witnessing Cara and Ben as they boldly share their statements of faith, publicly affirming their desire to be faithful followers of Jesus. May their testimonies inspire us all and remind us of our own commitments.

Witnessing these confirmations presents us with a sacred opportunity to reflect on our own faith journeys and our dedication to living the example set for us by Jesus. Together, we get to celebrate and strengthen our bonds as a community.

Don’t miss this moment of collective renewal and commitment! Join us this Sunday for “We Have Confirmation” and experience the joy of recommitting yourself to a life of faith. Let's come together to support Cara and Ben and to celebrate the powerful journey of faith that can powerfully unite us all.

"New Day"

sung by Kimberly Morgan

written by Colby Wedgeworth, Danny Gokey, & Ethan Hulse

"Jesus Told Me So"

sung by Michael Read

written by Toy Caldwell

"I Gotta Try"

sung by Caroline Smith

written by Kenneth Clark Loggins & Michael H. McDonald

Wisdom Vision - Full Text

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:43:54 GMT

Full Text of Brenda's Message from April 6, 2025

Lasik Surgery

Several years ago, after wearing glasses and contacts for most of my life, I decided to invest in Lasik surgery. Lasik surgery involves reshaping the cornea to focus light on the retina and improve vision. The first morning after the procedure, I was amazed—I awoke and could see perfectly. I didn’t have to reach for my glasses and would only need readers for things up close.

Recently, I’ve been undergoing another vision improvement process. The results have not been as immediate, but I think I’m starting to see more clearly.

Shortly after the elections last fall, disheartened by our current political climate and the vicious discourse in our media and culture, I started looking for a new way to navigate the existential crisis I was experiencing. How could I live with hope when it seemed like civil society was crumbling? The church teachings, seminary lessons, and spiritual practices I had relied on felt stale, and I wasn’t sure if the Church could survive the nationalistic movement it now faces. I needed a paradigm shift—a revisioning of faith. I needed spiritual Lasik surgery to refocus.

Path of Exploration

One night, restless and unable to sleep, I started researching the Wisdom tradition of the Western Church, a part of Christianity I knew a little about but tended to discount as strange. Spiritually, I start as a head type. I love rational thought and logical thinking. In contrast, the Wisdom tradition talks about inner seeing beyond rational thought and our physical senses—about perceiving reality and the Divine Mystery with the “eye of the heart.”

What does that mean?

I kept reading. I knew enough about the Wisdom tradition and its practices to understand that it has sustained some of the greats in our history—Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, and Jesus. They all found strength, focus, and peace amid turmoil through Wisdom practices. In fact, Wisdom practices have anchored people for generations. I wanted to feel anchored. I decided to do a deep dive into the Wisdom tradition and learn as much as I could about this mystical branch of Christianity.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

be all else to me, save that thou art;

be thou my best thought in the day and the night,

both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,

be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord;

be thou my great Mother, and I thy true child;

be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee, one.

This old hymn is packed with Wisdom tradition ideas—about God dwelling within and our being one or in union with God.

What is Wisdom tradition?

The Western Christian Wisdom tradition has been handed down to us primarily through monastic and contemplative communities. It involves spiritual practices and a process of awakening where you become more connected with and present to God. With spiritual practice, you begin seeing things in union with God and living within that union (a marriage of sorts with the Divine).

This Wisdom process of awakening is not limited to one religious expression. We find it in Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Christian, Muslim, Taoist, Indigenous, and other religions. They all involve similar paths of transformation shaped by love, surrender, and developing a deep, interior knowing or “unitive seeing.”

Jesus was a master of Wisdom. His disciples called him their Wisdom teacher. Jesus taught in parables and Wisdom sayings about awakening and seeing God and the world with your heart. We don’t talk about this aspect of Jesus’ teachings—or how to go about this awakening—very often in the church."

Below is the revised text with punctuation, grammar, and flow improvements. I’ve also included a summary of the changes and the reasoning for them:

Why do we need Wisdom vision?

As the Apostle Paul wrote in the Ephesians text we heard, his prayer is that we come to know Jesus through the spirit of wisdom so that “the eyes of our hearts are enlightened, and we may share in Christ’s hope”—a hope that can anchor and sustain us as we address the complex challenges of our day.

With Wisdom vision, or unitive seeing, all of creation becomes important because it’s all part of God and each of us. Hence, we become more inclined to embrace our ecological responsibilities, love our neighbors, and respond to the needs of the physical world because it’s all interconnected. Wisdom vision helps us move beyond “us/them” attitudes toward a “we are all in this together” perspective.

Wisdom vision also helps us live in harmony with other faiths. Once we realize that we are grounded in shared Wisdom practices and insights, differences in religious beliefs don’t seem as important.

What are we trying to “see” with the heart according to Western Christian Wisdom?

Cynthia Bourgeault, a modern mystic, Episcopalian priest, and Wisdom teacher, has spent a lifetime studying the Wisdom branches of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and other religions. Here’s a general summary of how I understand Bourgeault’s explanation of what it means to see with your heart through Wisdom vision:

We exist in a physical or material realm, where we can see, touch, hear, smell, and taste things. This is the realm of science and rational thinking.
We also exist in a psychic or spiritual realm, where we experience what we can’t access with our five senses and make sense of through rational thinking—intuition, extrasensory awareness, creativity, awe, and God. From this realm, we sense energy from things like attention, will, prayer, and love—things that science doesn’t measure directly but that have real force.
As Bourgeault highlights, humans are conscious of both realms. While we are more familiar with the physical, even people who are not “spiritual” sense the energy that comes from the spiritual realm, even if they discount claims of intuition, a sixth sense, or divine presence.

Wisdom vision is the ability to live in the physical world while being conscious of the spiritual and recognizing how everything is interconnected—unitive seeing. This takes practice in our modern world, where we emphasize rational thinking and intellect.

How do we develop our Wisdom vision?

Through spiritual practices like centering prayer, meditation, completing daily tasks with reverence, and engaging in acts of mercy, justice, compassion, and creativity with awareness of the divine energy fueling our actions. These practices help raise our consciousness to divine love and the spiritual realm, enabling us to grow beyond the limits of our rational minds and egos.

In January, my husband and I decided to experiment with Centering Prayer to see if we could develop our Wisdom vision. Centering Prayer involves sitting in silence for 20 minutes once or twice a day, letting go of thoughts, and returning to a place of no thinking. Often, moments of no thinking are brief before another thought arises. The practice of repeatedly letting go of thoughts and lovingly returning to the center of no thinking opens us to God’s direction.

When we are controlled by our thoughts and egos, it’s difficult for the divine to speak into our lives. Interestingly, the goal of Centering Prayer is not to experience a revelation during the practice, but to become more open and available to God at other times.

I can honestly say the practice has changed us. It’s not like waking up the first day after Lasik surgery with completely clear vision. The change is more subtle. I’m less anxious and more hopeful. My husband says he’s more attuned to looking for God’s involvement in the world and feels a stronger relationship with God.

There’s a reason to develop Wisdom vision beyond mental well-being or a personal connection to God. Bourgeault believes we have a unique human role in the cosmos. As physical beings with spiritual awareness (or spiritual beings having a human experience), we are the bridge between the two realms.

We are conduits who transmit divine love into the physical world. Every act of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, or justice—no matter how big or small—transmits energy. We are God’s hands and feet, making love a physical reality. Bourgeault describes it as food for the physical world. If humans don’t transmit that energy, the physical world becomes undernourished and can starve.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives two commands as being the most important: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Putting these commands into Bourgeault’s framework: Summary of Our Role

- Develop your Wisdom vision to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. If you are a Star Wars fan, this is akin to Luke Skywalker learning to tap into the Force.

- Use the Force seen with your Wisdom vision for good—love your neighbor and all of creation as yourself by feeding the physical realm with food from the spiritual realm: love, compassion, mercy, and justice. Each of us has a unique ability to do this, and we need to determine how best to offer that ability to the world.

Last summer, many in the Garden community read Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution by Rainn Wilson. Wilson believes contemporary culture is in desperate need of transformation. He calls for a spiritual revolution that brings meaning, purpose, heart-centered seeing, and collective awakening to the forefront of our cultural conversation. I agree.

Wilson suggests, however, that we form a new religion everyone can get on board with. I disagree. We need shared values and principles, but we don’t have to throw all the babies out with the bathwater. Wisdom vision and the path of transformation common to most religions already provide vehicles for spiritual revolution. We can maintain our distinctiveness while uniting in collective awakening and improving our ability to see with our hearts. This is a revolution I want to be part of.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise:

be thou mine inheritance now and always;

be thou and thou only the first in my heart;

O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Today, we have an opportunity to become part of a spiritual revolution. My hope is that the Garden can become a catalyst for this revolution, fostering the kind of transformation the Wisdom tradition offers—a path for living and being in the world that has stood the test of time. Human survival and the healing of our world may depend on it.

Crowd Control | Palm Sunday at The Garden

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:44:22 GMT

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday comes this weekend, marking the beginning of Holy Week and recalling the day we traditionally remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. According to the story, throngs of people crowded the streets—waving palms at Jesus, honoring him, and proclaiming him the long-awaited Messiah as he strode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Like many scriptural narratives, the tale is most likely apocryphal—meant to convey an idea rather than serve as a strictly factual account of an event. Liturgically, the story prompts us to reflect on themes of hope, the triumph of love, and what it means to follow Jesus' humble example.

This Sunday, let's consider where we find ourselves in the crowd. Perhaps you are right up front, looking for a hero; or maybe you stand on the opposite side of the street, complaining that this figure may upset the status quo. Perhaps you're watching him pass, wondering what your role might be. Are you there searching for someone to save you, or does your presence inspire you to consider how, as a follower, you can use your gifts to serve others? Or maybe you're not even there.

Palm Sunday reminds us that everyone—from the humblest to the most influential, elevated, and privileged among us—has an important role in history. Faith calls us to decide where we will stand. Join us on Sunday for "Crowd Control."

Wisdom Vision

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:49:08 GMT

Exploring the Timeless Path of Wisdom

This Sunday, we will into the rich world of mysticism and the Wisdom tradition—a timeless spiritual path that offers renewal, deeper understanding, and guidance in our overstressed and multi-faceted world. The Wisdom tradition invites us to bridge the divide between science and religion, encouraging unity and collaboration in a time of division. It challenges us to embrace our ecological responsibilities with a sense of sacred stewardship and respond to the deep human longing for meaning and coherence. It also opens space for harmonious dialogue and mutual respect among diverse faiths, grounded in our shared practices and universal insights of Wisdom across traditions and cultures. Together, let's explore how "Wisdom Vision" can empower us to navigate life's complexities and celebrate and find meaning through our interconnectedness.

"Magical Mystery Tour"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

"Be Thou My Vision"

Sung by Brenda Freije

Traditional Irish, Translated by Mary E. Byrne

"Place in This World"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, & Wayne Kirkpatrick

Spiritual But Not Religious

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:09:27 GMT

Soulful Paths: Embracing Spirituality Without Religion

An amazing number of people have thoughtfully reconsidered the theology they grew up with and decided to reject those beliefs. This process of reevaluation and rejection has come to be known as “deconstruction.” Our own experiences tell us that deconstruction can be painful and chaotic. You might have a personal story about your own deconstruction process. But now that you have deconstructed, what comes next?

For many, the process of “reconstruction” remains incomplete, leading them to identify as “spiritual but not religious.” They go on believing in a divine power but they are unattached to a community of like-minded people. The vacuum created by the absence of both belief and belonging has enormous consequences for the individual and the larger society.

Interestingly, Rainn Wilson, an actor best known for his role as the annoying Dwight Schrute on the American version of The Office , has written a book that speaks to those people who have deconstructed and are now in a belief/belonging vacuum. The book, Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution , speaks to some of life’s big questions. "The Notorious G.O.D."; "Death and How to Live It"; and "Religion Schmeligion" are just three of the chapter titles. Wilson tells the reader about the ten essential universal truths that all the great religious movements have in common. He then goes on to outline a blueprint on a way to reconstruct and live a meaningful and productive spiritual life. He even recommends more potluck dinners.

I had the enormous good fortune to meet Rainn Wilson and share a meal and conversation with him. One of the things he talked about is a spiritual conversation group he and his wife host in their home. They open with a time of meditation, then share some quotes picked from a variety of spiritual traditions and finally take time for discussion. Sometimes the group does a service project or takes a walk together. Pretty simple, but often profound. Rainn contends that people are hungry for this kind of simple, deep conversation and community building.

What about you? Are you hungry for a spiritual conversation group? Let me know at betty@thegardenonline.org.

What Color is Your Parachute?

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:45:33 GMT

Freeing Your Spiritual Gifts

This Sunday, we continue our Lenten journey and embark on a deeper exploration of the beautiful world of spiritual gifts. Each of us has been lovingly and intentionally designed by God with specific talents, abilities, and perspectives. These unique attributes are not merely coincidences—-they are purposeful flowers in the gardens of our creation. Our differences, rather than dividing us, enrich the collective strength of our communities and the world.

Think for a moment about the diversity in nature. Each flower, each leaf, each snowflake is a masterpiece of uniqueness, and yet they all belong to the same creation. Similarly, we are each crafted with distinctive qualities that contribute to the greater whole. Together, our uniqueness forms a gloriously diverse and rich garden of purpose and potential.

Consider the seeds of thriving plants like dandelions, milkweed, cottonwoods, and thistles. These beings rely on nature’s gift of wind to carry their seeds far and wide. Each seed is cradled by a delicate parachute of silky filaments, enabling it to soar gracefully through the air until it finds its place to take root and grow. These seeds remind us of our own spiritual gifts, which are designed to lift us, guide us, and help us find fertile ground where we can thrive and serve. Just as its parachute helps provide lift and movement for the seed, your spiritual gifts are your God-given tools for navigating life’s challenges and fulfilling your purpose.

These gifts are not meant to be hidden or held back. Like seeds that rise into the wind, our spiritual gifts are meant to spread beauty and hope, reaching places we may never have imagined. When you embrace your gifts—your vibrant colors—you become part of a divine cycle, planting seeds of light, love, and transformation in the hearts of those around you.

This week, we invite you to pause and reflect on the ways God has uniquely equipped you. What are the talents and passions that set your heart on fire? How can you use these gifts to serve and to live each day more fully? Discovering and embracing these spiritual gifts is not just about self-fulfillment; it’s about stepping into your calling and fertilizing and enriching the garden of life.

Join us this Sunday as we contemplate the truth that each of us has been wonderfully made for a purpose. Together, we will explore how to identify our unique gifts, how to lean into our calling, and how to walk through our lives meaningfully and intentionally. Are you ready to soar?

That's a Good Idea!

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 23:44:28 GMT

Let's Embark on an Adventure

This January, we embarked on an exciting journey called “The Garden Greenhouse Challenge.” Our mission? To explore a transformative question: “Beyond the Sunday experience, how might we foster sacred exploration, create vibrant community, and make a positive impact in the world in innovative ways?”

This question ignited a series of dynamic gatherings and heartfelt conversations, through which we envisioned a future filled with purpose and creativity. We prayed, dreamed, and engaged deeply with our community—both within The Garden and beyond. The results? Over 700 incredible ideas emerged from our collective imagination!

We’ve carefully analyzed and organized these ideas, and now, we stand on the threshold of something new. We’re ready to experiment, to prototype, and to bring our top concepts to life! Along the way, we’ll ask ourselves essential questions: What if? How? Where? Who? And why not? Together, we’ll navigate this exciting path of discovery to uncover our way forward.

This Sunday, we invite you to take a bold step into uncharted territory with us. Together, we’ll explore what it means to choose a new direction and answer the call we’ve received. We’ll also draw inspiration from stories of organizations that took risks and transformed their futures, and reflect on those that hesitated and missed their opportunities.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of something extraordinary! Join us for “That’s a Good Idea,” and let’s embark on this adventure together!

Tell Your Stories, Recite Your Poems - They are Your Prayers

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:38:51 GMT

Our Stories are Our Sacred Moments

“I’m going to ask your mother to put this verse away,

So you can read it for yourself upon some future day.”

James M. Buck (1909-1994)

These are closing lines of a poem my father wrote to me on May 17, 1944. He was a private in the U.S. Army waiting at Ft. McClellan, Alabama to be shipped to Belgium, where he eventually became a part of Patton’s Army, participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and helped with the liberation of Germany. I was 10 months old. I am glad I can still read this poem more than 80 years after he wrote it. My mother saved the letters my father wrote to us along with some pictures taken during those war years.

I knew my father wrote poetry because, in his 70’s, he began to make audiotapes of his war stories and his poetry. He was particularly proud of his poetry because he thought it was the reason he survived the war. By the time he arrived in Europe, he was 35 years old – by far the oldest PFC in his unit. Most of the guys were very young and some were illiterate. My father soon became the unit scribe, writing poems and letters to the mothers, wives, and sweethearts of his friends, and reading the return mail that the men were so hungry for and couldn’t read for themselves. He believed that the strong young guys kept the “old man” alive by bringing him food and keeping him safe. They needed his special gift. He needed their willingness to steal and barter and maybe even kill. I am forever indebted to these men whose names I do not even know.

We love a God who wants us to love each other. There is no finer way to love your families, friends and even strangers than to hear their stories, their poems, their songs. These oral exchanges become a prayer – the concrete evidence of the love you share with each other. As I read this poem my father wrote to me over 80 years ago, my eyes fill with tears and I am surrounded once more with a father’s love even though he has been dead since 1994.

Thank you for reading my story! Now it is your turn to go tell your stories. If someone comes to you with a story, listen with all the attention you can muster. When the family gathers for a holiday or a birthday, ask everyone to tell a story and you will experience a celebration overflowing with healing, forgiveness and love. Sacred moments!

There's No Blessing Like an Irish Blessing!

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:04:22 GMT

Hogeye Navvy Returns to The Garden

Join us this Sunday as we welcome back Hogeye Navvy for a celebration of Irish Blessings. These timeless words of wisdom and hope remind us of the power of community, love, and faith in our lives. From the rolling hills of Ireland to our hearts today, we will explore how these blessings invite us to embrace joy, resilience, and the warmth of God's presence. Come ready to be inspired, uplifted, and connected through the rich tradition of Irish culture. Let the spirit of these blessings fill our hearts and guide our steps as we journey together in faith. Sláinte!

Hogeye Navvy:

Mac Bellner - Vocals, guitar

Leslie Selden - Fiddle

Tim McNinch - Vocals, mandolin, guitar, pennywhistle

Garry Farren - Vocals, bodhran

Ireland Bestows a Kiss

“Merrily Kiss the Quaker” | Traditional

Finding the Right One

“Misty Moisty Morning/Haste to the Wedding” | Traditional

Bestowing a Wedding Blessing

“Mairi’s Wedding” Written by by John Roderick Bannerman

Loving Through Hard Times

“Still I Love Him” Traditional

Loving Long Distance

“The Maid of Culmore” | Traditional

A Place To Call Home

“My Own House” | Traditional

Memories Of Home

“Colcannon” | Traditional

The Mixed Blessing Of Work

“Pound a Week Raise” | Written by Ed Pickford

Hope For the Future

“Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears” | Written by Brendan Graham

A New Home

“Staten Island Hornpipe” | Traditional

A Legacy Of Blessing

“Grandfather’s Immigrant Eyes” | Written by Guy Clark

Shine!

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:30:00 GMT

The Power of Being Uniquely You

Jewish storytellers love this story attributed to Martin Buber, the famous 20th century Jewish philosopher and theologian. Buber tells of the great Hasidic Rabbi Zusya (Rabbi Zusya of Hanipol) who, on his deathbed, began to cry uncontrollably while his students and disciples tried hard to comfort him.

They asked, “Rabbi, why do you weep? You are almost as wise as Moses; you are almost as hospitable as Abraham; and surely heaven will judge you favorably.”

Zusya answered them: “It is true. When I get to heaven, I won’t worry so much if God asks me, ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Abraham?’ or ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Moses?’ I know I would be able to answer these questions. After all, I was not given the righteousness of Abraham or the faith of Moses but I tried to be both hospitable and thoughtful. But what will I say when God asks me, ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Zusya?’

This is the question that might sit on our hearts as well. Believing that God gave each of us “something special” to bring to the world, how can we make sure that our “something special” shines brightly? It would be sad to let it die within us. We are stuck with two challenges: first knowing what that “something special” is, and then how to let it shine.

Since I was young, I knew I had a gift to lead. I grew up in a Chicago suburb, and the easiest way to get to downtown Chicago was to take the Chicago Northwestern commuter train into the city. That’s what my father did every day to get to work. I clearly remember when I was twelve, my friends and I wanted to go into the city to go to the movies. The other girls’ parents said they could go if I was in charge. It was no problem for me to get a train schedule, pick a train, get us on and off, get from the station to the movie theater and then retrace our steps to get home. I’ve always been grateful that my parents had enough confidence in me to let my leadership abilities shine.

Do you have a story about a quality or a gift that surfaced early in your life? Maybe you brought home stray animals or played an instrument. Maybe you stuck up for kids that were being bullied or were fascinated by the night sky. You owe it to yourself and the world to operationalize your “special gifts.” That doesn’t mean you are the only person with that gift but it does mean it is your special version of that gift.

Secondly, is that gift shining brightly in the world? I knew a woman who wrote beautiful letters. I have saved some of the letters she wrote to me because they were so meaningful. Unfortunately, the expectations of what a woman should be got in the way of her ever sharing her gift with a larger audience. She died with her much of her talented voice still inside of her. I wept at her funeral not only because losing her was sad, but because I knew her unrealized gift had been lost to the world.

Is there something covering up your gift and preventing you from shining brightly? Are you living out someone else’s version of you? Are you afraid you’ll be criticized or that you won’t do something perfectly? Are the events of the present day encouraging you to stay safe and hide your light?

Focus on your special gift. It’s especially important to shine in difficult times. Make a point of doing something every day to let your light shine. Remember that your light will be seen from wherever you are. You have a unique gift! Let it shine!

You are the Salt of the Earth, the Light of the World

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:58:34 GMT

Lent Begins

Wednesday, March 5 marks the first Sunday of Lent, a season where we are invited into reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is the 40 days before Easter where we examine our hearts and lives more closely, draw nearer to God, and to deepen our understanding of what it means to live as an apprentice of Jesus. This year, we will look more closely at the Sermon on the mount and explore what it means to be "salt" and "light" in the world.

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.” These simple yet profound statements challenge us to consider how we are living, and if we are living each day to the fullest in the love of God. Salt, in its essence, preserves, flavors, and purifies, while light illuminates, guides, and dispels darkness.

As we journey together through these forty days, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s transformative work within us. May we be inspired to take our place as agents of change in a world that desperately needs the flavor of hope and the brightness of love. Let us embrace our calling to be salt and light, not just during Lent, but throughout our lives.

Choosing Your Spiritual Journey: Lent 2025

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:00:07 GMT

What Will Lent Mean for You?

The church my family belonged to when I was growing up was the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, Illinois. This church had its roots in the Social Gospel movement of the early 20th Century which applied Christian ethics to issues of social justice. Our church focused on solving the social problems of the day, not how Jesus had died for our sins or how we were going to get to heaven. Traditional Christian observances such as Lent were hardly ever mentioned. I knew my Catholic friends would give up eating chocolate and hitting their little brothers during Lent. My takeaway wasn’t curiosity about Lent. It was being glad I wasn’t Catholic. Many, many years later, I began to pay more attention and embrace Lent. My new-found interest grew out of observing my Muslim friends during the Holy month of Ramadan as they focused on the spiritual dimensions of their lives by fasting, praying, giving generously to others and celebrating their faith within their communities. It seemed to me that the Christian season of Lent offered similar opportunities for me to focus on the spiritual dimensions of my life.

I’ve learned that Lent is a time for spiritual growth, reflection and embracing community. Now I mark the 40 days (not including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter with the spiritual discipline of writing one gratitude note every day. I certainly want the people who receive the notes I write to know how grateful I am for all they do for me and others but I am also aware that just the writing of the notes enriches my life. I know I am happier and more joy-filled for those 40 days and the happiness and joy spills over into my interactions with everyone I encounter.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you might consider adding a Lenten experience this year. Here is a resource I found that offers some ideas. Lent 2025 can be a meaningful time for all of us.

Le-Go Play in The Garden

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:01:55 GMT

Building Together Creatively

Did you know that LEGO, the beloved building blocks we all know, were invented in 1932 by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen? Originating from a simple desire to inspire children to "play well," these colorful bricks have become a global symbol of creativity and collaboration.

This Sunday, we invite you to join us for a unique message titled “Le-go Play in the Garden.” Together, we’ll explore how the lessons of LEGO—creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving—can deepen our faith and strengthen our community. Come ready to build, connect, and discover the spiritual insights that lie within each brick. Let’s create something beautiful together!

Servant Leadership: A Better Way

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:58:07 GMT

About 55 years ago, a man named Robert Greenleaf wrote an essay titled “The Servant as Leader.” He started an entire movement, which we know today as Servant Leadership. In essence, Servant Leadership is a philosophy and set of principles that enrich the lives of an individual, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Servant leadership flips the traditional model and puts the CEO at the bottom in a supporting, serving role. The Servant Leader is a servant first. This represents departure from a leader-first approach, where leaders may prioritize acquiring power or material possessions.

The basic pillars of Servant Leadership include:

1) LISTENING – You always know when someone is really listening.

2) EMPATHY – Empathy relates to sympathy, but goes deeper into an active sharing of the others' experiences.

3) HEALING – Healing relationships and bringing people together through dialogue and common experiences affects not just the people involved, but also the larger community.

4) AWARENESS – A Servant Leader is aware of their strengths and weaknesses and surrounds themselves with people that will complement those strengths and weaknesses.

5) PERSUASION – Persuasion is based on relationships built over time. A Servant Leader’s words and ideas can be trusted in times when discernment is needed.

6) CONCEPTUALIZATION – Articulating an organization's the lived experience into concise ideas or principles helps those involved move forward together.

7) FORESIGHT – Servant Leaders actively think ahead and consider the potential positive and negative consequences of decisions.

8) STEWARDSHIP – Servant Leaders keep the reputation and integrity of the organization in mind at all times.

9) COMMITMENT TO GROWTH OF PEOPLE – Servant Leaders want staff and volunteers to grow personally as they serve the organization. The goal is to become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous and more likely to become servants.

10) BUILDING COMMUNITY – Building trusting relationships is at the heart of building strong communities. Servant Leaders build trusting relationships.

Listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, stewardship, foresight, commitment to the growth of people and building community. What do you think? Do you know people who possess these characteristics? In a world where the hunger for power is so evident, we must recognize and support those among us who choose a different path. Servant Leaders need your support! Reach out today and let them know they are valued and not alone in their quest for a just and loving world.

---------------------

For more information about Servant Leadership go to www.greenleaf.org.

Find Greenleaf's book, Servant Leadership

on Amazon

on Bookshop.org

Keep Calm and Carry On

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 22:31:28 GMT

Introspection...

This Sunday, we'll dig into the profound practice of reflection and introspection as a path to living our most fulfilling lives. This journey inward involves employing spiritually driven discernment, a crucial ability to judge wisely and differentiate between truth and falsehood, benefit and harm, wisdom and folly. It's about aligning our intentions with thoughtful action, trusting that when we commit to what is right and true, our efforts will be grounded in something larger than ourselves. In today's world, saturated with information and diverse opinions, cultivating discernment is more vital than ever. It empowers us to make informed decisions, navigate life's inevitable challenges with greater clarity, and foster deeper, more meaningful connections with ourselves and those around us. Join us this Sunday as we explore this inner landscape and discover how to "keep calm and carry on" with a renewed sense of purpose and peace, knowing that our well-considered actions will find their proper course.

Fear of Missing Out

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:49:06 GMT

One Time FOMO Paid Off

I’ll confess! I have an extreme case of FOMO – fear of missing out. Sometimes this gets me into trouble and I won’t bore you with those details. I’d rather focus on a time my FOMO paid off.

Recently I heard an interesting lecture by the author John Green in the late afternoon. My brain was full of stimulating ideas. Any sane person would have gone home and savored that experience. Instead, I rushed home, grabbed something to eat and headed back out to a local bookstore to attend a “Hear Our Stories” event. These events feature people who have been incarcerated for various reasons. They share their stories about life before, during, and after incarceration. I didn’t want to miss out!

If you want to hear stories of transformation, these events are for you. Sometimes the transformative moment is finding God, but others are transformed by serving another human being or finding friendship within a circle of former inmates as they open their hearts in a safe space. These stories shatter every stereotype I might have held about people who have served time for committing violent crimes.

One of the storytellers that evening was a former drug dealer, Montez Day, who began to sell drugs at the age of 12 and worked his way up to armed robbery until his incarceration in the Federal Prison in Terre Haute. At this event I heard how Montez volunteered to teach a fellow inmate to read so that the inmate wouldn’t lose his prison job. Montez and the inmate met in the prison library twice a week for 6 months. The inmate’s life was forever changed because he learned to read and kept his prison job. More importantly, Montez found purpose in his life. He said that he had been angry and lost ever since he was 12 years old and could never figure out why he was alive. Being of service to another human being and using teaching skills he didn’t even know he had set him on a path as an educator and leader. Now he works for a large not-for-profit as a workshop facilitator. What a transformation!

I don’t want to miss out on these opportunities to hear stories of transformation and hope. I need them to balance the invitations that are readily available every day to become despairing and cynical. This time my FOMO paid off. I’m not encouraging you to take up the FOMO practice but I am encouraging you to look for stories of transformation and hope. Then share those stories with anyone who will listen.

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* The Garden supports “Hear Our Stories” but the heavy lifting of coaching the storytellers and finding the venues is done by Storytelling Arts of Indiana. You can see a picture of Montez Day on Storytelling Arts of Indiana's Home page – www.storytellingarts.org

Our Beloved Community

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:17:14 GMT

Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter

Inclusive communities are essential to fostering environments where all individuals can thrive. They create space where people from various backgrounds feel valued and understood. When we value and foster diversity, we more create stronger, more resilient communities. Diversity enriches communities by expanding collective perspectives, leading robust and creative solutions to challenges. Embracing diversity fosters mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to this as the “Beloved Community," a concept rooted in the biblical notion of agape love. Some see it as a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, where love, justice, and peace reign, where all people learn to live in harmony with one another and God. King espoused this vision, seeking to create a society where God’s will is done on Earth as it is in heaven.

This Sunday, our topic will be Our Beloved Community. What are some of the features of such a place and how can each of us play a part right now? Questions asked and answered as we gather together again. Be kind to yourself. Love to all.

Stretching into Reality

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 21:44:56 GMT

On Reading Banned Books

Since I have never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I have taken up an alternative habit—choosing a “Word of the Year.” After some thoughtful deliberation, I have chosen “stretch” as my word for 2025. My intention is to live into the word quite literally by stretching my body every day, but I also want to stretch myself intellectually, spiritually, and socially.

Fortunately, an opportunity to stretch came along right away because my book study chose to read John Green’s teen fiction book, Looking for Alaska . This book frequently appears on lists of the most banned books, and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. After reading the entire book (most people who want Looking for Alaska banned read only a page), I think the fuss is about Green’s determination to respect that his teen readers can look reality right in the face.

Green tackles big existential/theological questions that teens struggle with as they stumble toward adulthood:

How do I cope with the inevitable pain and loss of growing up?
What do I do if a friend seems to have a mental illness?
What happens after someone I love dies?
How can I go on when there are no “for sure” answers to my questions?
How can I find my way through the wide variety of feelings that come up every day?
How can I get past feeling guilty and forgive myself?
Is hope even possible when everything seems to be falling apart?

Green believes that all these questions are already present in the lives of teenagers. His writing about them is not introducing them to these subjects. Rather, his books give teens permission to think and talk about these important life issues.

How good are we, as adults, at looking reality straight in the face? Are we more likely to escape into a fantasy world or a numbed world? Are books on the Most Banned Books list because these books look at some piece of reality that we don’t want to see? To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee looks at racial injustice in the American South. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison looks at racism, incest, and child molestation. One of my favorite books, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, looks at the horrors of the Vietnam War. The number one most banned book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, tackles the tough issues of alcohol abuse, poverty, bullying, violence, sexuality, and bulimia.

These books on the banned list should be required reading for all of us who want to leave behind the comforts of a pain-free world and “stretch” ourselves into the reality of the world we live in. We have to face these realities if we want to correct the injustices and abuses that these books uncover. Thankfully, we don’t have to do this alone. We can hold hands as we stretch into these realities together.

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Would you be interested in a book club focused on reading banned books? If you might like to participate in such a group, let me know .

Stir it Up!

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:39:17 GMT

The Courage of a Compassionate Heart

I’ve come to see that one of the greatest challenges of being alive is to witness the injustices and deep division in our country, and not allow it to extinguish our light. It’s important to feel it all….the pain, the fear, the anger, the sadness. And in time, continue to be used as instruments of peace, being a voice for the voiceless, speaking truth to power, and taking a bold stand for freedom for all. It means having the courage to have a compassionate heart while living in this world.

Compassion and empathy are not mere virtues, they are essential lifelines that can mend the fractures that divide us. The power of compassion can heal wounds, bridge divides and foster genuine human connection. So, it’s time to stir it up! To allow our hearts to remain open and pliable and stir up the compassion that is already within each one of us. And then to share it lavishly with others who cross our path.

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"You Will Be Found"

Sung by Matthew Vire, Caroline Smith, Hannah Schwyn, and Doran Nash

Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for the musical Dear Evan Hansen.

"You Will Be Found" lyrics © Pick In A Pinch Music, Breathelike Music

"Hammer and A Nail"

Sung by Hannah Schwyn

Written by Emily Ann Saliers. Recorded by The Indigo Girls.

"Hammer and Nail" lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

"There’s Hope"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Anthony David Harrington, Branden Burch, India Arie

"There’s Hope" lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc

This Sunday, The Garden welcomes Rev. Richard Brendan , who has been been an ordained minister in the Indianapolis area for decades. During that time he has served as a pastor, hospice chaplain, founder and president of JourneysFire International, co-founder of The Walk the Talk speaker series, executive producer of a cd with Cathy Morris titled Sacred Romance (featuring the music of Cathy Morris and Richard giving voice to the mystic poetry of Rumi and Hafiz), and he was host and producer of a weekly talk radio show for over twenty years on 88.7fm WICR at the University of Indianapolis. The show, JourneysFire with Richard Brendan featured a full hour of conversation with leading visionaries and social change artists. He is a life member of The Dead Poet’s Society.

Be the Non-Anxious Presence

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:06:42 GMT

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.

Throwing Paint Against the Wall

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:54:29 GMT

Let's Get Creative

This Sunday, get ready to throw some paint against the wall... figuratively speaking, that is. We're diving into a brainstorming session to explore this question: “How might The Garden foster sacred exploration, community, and impact the world in loving, positive, and creative ways?”

Think of it like this: we're each bringing a unique palette of ideas, and we're going to splash them onto the canvas of our imaginations. No idea is too bold, too outlandish, or too small. We'll step back, admire the vibrant mess, and see what new possibilities emerge.

Through mindful conversation, we'll consider the needs around us and how God might use The Garden – and us – to bring light and love to the world. We'll take a moment for quiet contemplation, allowing the colors to blend and speak to our souls. And as always on the first Sunday of the month, we'll conclude with communion, nourishing our spirits and renewing our sense of purpose.

Come ready to think messy, imperfect thoughts, to be inspired, and to see the world – and The Garden – with fresh eyes.

"A Million Dreams"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

A Million Dreams lyrics © Fox Music, Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

"Walls"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan

Written by Jon Bon Jovi & John M. Shanks

Lyrics © Bon Jovi Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Int. Ltd., Working To Code

"Better Thigs"

Sung by Hannah Schwyn

Written by Ray Davies

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Songtrust Ave

Faith in Action: Keeping Informed with Objective Sources

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:02:31 GMT

What Media Do You Trust?

At The Garden, we seek to help transform the world through love, respect, acceptance, justice, and kindness. With that in mind, here are some suggested sources you may appreciate exploring:

Indiana Capital Chronicle (local) https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/

Indiana Citizen (local) https://indianacitizen.org/

Indianapolis Recorder (local) https://indianapolisrecorder.com

A Native Son by Eddie Glaude (Substack newsletter and podcast) https://www.anativeson.org

Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

Meidas News https://meidasnews.com

The Contrarian co-founded by Jennifer Rubin and Norm Eisen https://substack.com/@contrarian

The.Ink by Anand Giridharadas https://the.ink

1440 https://join1440.com

Innovation: Co-Create!

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:57:19 GMT

Introducing The Garden Greenhouse Challenge

This Sunday, we're getting hands-on with our Garden word of the year: "Co-Create"! We'll be exploring what it means to be a truly collaborative and innovative community, and how we can all contribute our unique talents and perspectives.

To help us on this journey, we're excited to welcome Brenda Freije, one of the brilliant minds guiding our visioning process! Brenda and Carolyn will introduce us to and get us thinking about The Garden Greenhouse Challenge. Just as God created a beautiful world, we can Co-Create something amazing here at The Garden.

So what exactly does "Co-Create" mean? It's all about working together, sharing ideas, and blending our strengths to achieve something truly special. What would we like to do and become? What solutions to challenges can we imagine? What might we create when we push ourselves to think beyond standard models?

This Sunday, bring your gifts, skills, ideas, energy, love, and talents to The Garden and consider how you might share in Co-Creating our future!

"Go Your Own Way"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Lindsey Buckingham. Orginally recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Music Hub

"Imagine"

Sung by Brenda Freije

Written by John Lennon

Lyrics © Budde Music France, Downtown Music Publishing

"Let It Go, Let It Flow"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by Dave Mason

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

"Anyway"

Sung by Betty Klein

Written by Brett Warren & Martina Mcbride

Lyrics © E O Smith Music, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Into the Light

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:53:07 GMT

Not long ago, a team came together to reflect on what we believe, the principles The Garden espouses. As we sorted through the process, I could not help but think about a line from the musical, Hamilton. Hamilton says to Burr: "If you stand for nothing Burr, then what will you fall for?" The saying may be harsh, but it is undeniably true. It prompts the question, "what do you stand for?"

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, having a clear sense of purpose and shared values is more important than ever. Knowing what we stand for as a community provides a sense of stability, belonging, and direction. It allows us to make informed decisions, navigate challenges with resilience, and build a brighter future together. On Sunday, let's consider the principles and beliefs at the center of our community in The Garden. Join us Sunday for “Into the Light.”

"Light of a Clear Blue Morning"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Written by Dolly Parton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

"I Can See Clearly Now"

Sung by Michael Read

Written by Johnny Nash

Lyrics © Cp Masters Bv, Nashco Music Inc, Dovan Music Inc

"Glory"

Sung by Kimberly Morgan and Doran Nash

Written by Che Smith, John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn

Recorded by Common, John Legend

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

God's compassion is fathomless, refreshing the soul.

God's justice is absolute, lighting up the eyes.

God's love is radiant, rejoicing the heart,

more precious than the finest gold,

sweeter than honey from the comb.

Help me to be aware of my selfishness,

but without undue shame or self-judgment.

Let me know you are always present,

in every atom of life.

Let me keep surrendering myself

until I am utterly transparent.

Let my words be rooted in honesty

and let my thoughts be lost in your light,

Unnamable God, my essence,

my origin, my life-blood, my home.

Psalm 19, adapted from the Hebrew

by Stephen Mitchell

Out of the Dark

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:09:20 GMT

Memory Lane

This Sunday, we wandered down memory lane, dug deep into the fertile soil of The Garden's history, unearthed stories, and rediscovered the roots that have nourished us along the way. For some, it may have been a stroll through familiar landscapes; for others who joined The Garden in more recent years, it may represent new terrain.

We revisited the dream that first planted the seed of The Garden in Linda McCoy's heart, and trace the journey of how that seed germinated and grew. We remembered the early days, tending those first fragile shoots in the darkness – a time of growth, nurtured by generosity, faith, vision, openness, curiosity, and love.

After The Garden's departure from its first home in a dark theatre space, it blossomed and found new life bathed in the sunlit space we know today. We've flourished in this environment, our community branching out in countless ways.

Now, as we prepare to transplant The Garden once more, we look for insight in our history and how we have grown. What lessons have we learned? What strengths have we cultivated? How can we ensure our roots remain strong as we seek new ground in which to grow?

This Sunday was "Coming out of the Dark" – a journey through time and a glimpse into the future of The Garden. Reflecting on the past, celebrating the present, and looking with hope towards a future filled with light and possibility.

"Come In From The Rain"

Sung by Deb Mullins

Originally recorded by Melissa Manchester

Written by Carole Bayer Sager, Melissa Manchester

Lyrics © Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave

"Coming Out of the Dark"

Sung by Caroline Smith

Originally recorded by Gloria Estefan

Written by Jon Secada, Emilio Estefan & Gloria Estefan

"Reelin’ In the Years"

Sung by Michael Read

Originally Recorded by Steely Dan

Written by Walter Carl Becker / Donald Jay Fagen

Lyrics © American Broadcasting Music, Inc., Red Giant Music Inc, Red Giant, Inc.

Pastoral Letter Addressing the Plight of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees in the US Epiphany 2025

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 13:34:37 GMT

Jesus said, “When you welcome the stranger, you welcome me….” Matthew 25:35

At no time has the church in the US had a greater opportunity to welcome Jesus among us as he journeys with migrants, immigrants, and refugees than today. We your bishops are clear that the situation these beloved of God face as the Trump Administration comes to power threatens their humanity, livelihood, and basic human rights.

For decades, a broken immigration system in the U.S. has kept migrants, immigrants and refugees in this country living in the shadows of society in a state of perpetual fear. They have come to the U.S. under forced circumstances fleeing extreme poverty, hunger, political and religious persecution, war, cartel and gang violence, and the severe impact of climate change. Some are actively recruited by large U.S. companies who need their labor. Yet migrants, immigrants and refugees help to sustain the U.S. economy, serve our families caring for our children and our elderly, cleaning our homes, landscaping our properties, building our roads and the houses we live in, and cultivating and picking the crops that feed our families. They are our neighbors, our friends, and members and pastors of our churches.

Deplorably, racist, xenophobic, nationalistic, and anti-migrant hate speech has become standard rhetoric for many US politicians, including President-elect Donald Trump. He has stated that under his administration he will order the mass deportation of the 11 million undocumented migrants who live and work in the U.S. He has threatened to use military and law enforcement at all levels for this mass deportation. If allowed, this mass deportation of migrants will cause further racial profiling, the separation of families, the undermining of communities and congregations, the weakening of the economy of this country and its democratic systems of law and justice. President-elect Trump has also threatened to end birth-right citizenship, dismantle Refugee resettlement in this country and further strip away the possibility of the U.S. welcoming Asylum Seekers onto this land.

We are living in a dark time that more than ever calls us to be the light of Christ, people of faith who take our baptismal vow to “resist evil in all its forms,” with utmost seriousness.

As United Methodists we have firmly declared through our Social Principles that we are called to actively welcome the migrant, immigrant, and refugee among us.

• Affirming the dignity, worth and rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees.

• Recognizing that displaced people are particularly vulnerable as their in-between status often provides them with few protections and benefits, leaving them open to exploitation, violence and abuse.

• Urging one another to welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into our congregations, providing concrete support, to them including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support.

• Opposing all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees.

• Decrying attempts to detain displaced people and hold them in inhumane and unsanitary conditions.

• Challenging policies that call for the separation of families, especially parents and minor children.

• Opposing the existence of for-profit detention centers that are used for the purpose of detaining migrants, immigrants, and refugees including minor children.

(Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, The Political Community Basic Rights and Freedoms, Section G. Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees)

We, your bishops, call upon the people of The United Methodist Church to pray for migrants, immigrants, and refugees among us and to welcome them with the fullness of Christian love, remembering that as we welcome these, our brothers, and sisters, we welcome Jesus our Lord.

Bishop Tracy S. Malone

President - Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church

My One Word

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 19:00:09 GMT

What Will Your One Word Be?

As we step into a new year, it's easy to get caught up in long lists of resolutions and grand plans for change. But what if there was a simpler way to focus our intentions and move forward with clarity?

Enter "My One Word," a practice that invites us to distill our hopes and aspirations for the coming year into a single, powerful word. The chosen word becomes a guiding, illuminating our path to help us navigate the year ahead.

At The Garden, we're embracing the "One Word" process one again after introducing. In 2024, our community word was "Hope", which served as our guiding star for 2024.

This Sunday, as we celebrate Epiphany and remember the Magi's journey following the star, we remember the power of light to lead us through darkness. We again seek the light that overcomes the darkness with "My One Word."

What will your "One Word" be for 2025? Choose a word that resonates with your soul, a word that inspires and motivates you. Let it be your guiding star throughout the year.

Jazz Sunday

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:29:31 GMT

Reflecting the Sacred

Sunday is “sleep-in Sunday” a Jazz Service at 10 am. Come celebrate the last Sunday of the year with friends, food and jazz. This will be a shared service with Union Chapel so as we sip our coffee and eat your treats we can get to know our Union Chapel neighbors. We will still have a little something online at 9 am but come join us LIVE at 10 am Sunday morning or do BOTH!

Immediate Needs for Families Seeking Shelter

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:38:46 GMT

IMMEDIATE NEEDS FOR FAMILIES SEEKING SHELTER

IF YOU CHOOSE TO DONATE, PLEASE BRING ITEMS ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 OR USE THE AMAZON WISH LIST LINK

The City of Indianapolis’ Family Winter Contingency Shelter, run by Aspire Indiana Health, is providing winter shelter for families with children at the former Susan Roll Leach IPS Elementary School, 2107 N. Riley Ave., through March 31. Though not ideal, it’s a safe alternative to being outside. The shelter needs community support for basic needs, and you can find the list and an Amazon Wishlist here. For questions or ideas, contact ophs@indy.gov .

Family Winter Contingency Shelter Donation Instructions:

- Drop-off Location: Door 4 at 2107 N. Riley Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46218 (formerly IPS School 68)

- Drop-off Times: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM or send Wish List Items directly via Amazon .

Family Winter Contingency Shelter Needs List

(ONLY THE THINGS ON THIS LIST)

Water Bottles
Continental Breakfast/Snacks
Toilet Paper
Paper towels
Disposable plates and utensils
Coffee pots
Coffee
Children’s toys and books
Pack and plays
Car seats
Formula
Baby Bottles
Diapers
Wipes
Pacifiers
Sweatshirts, Sweatpants – kids and adults. All sizes.
Socks, underwear – kids and adults. All sizes.
Coats
Hats, gloves, and scarves
Socks
Lice kits
Over the counter medicine, including kids medicine
First-aid items – band-aids, etc.
Shampoo, conditioner
Feminine products
Lotion
Chapstick
Cleaning supplies (bleach wipes, etc.)
Disposable gloves
Shower shoes/flip flops
Towels/wash cloths
Soap
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Hygiene kits

Christmas Eve Storytime & Sing-Along

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:29:43 GMT

Join Us on Christmas Eve

Dear Friends,

It is a joy to welcome all to Christmas Eve at The Garden. This afternoon, we embark on a beautiful journey, sharing the Christmas story and the profound mystery of the Incarnation. Each lesson will illuminate the story of hope, love, and joy that unfolds through the ages, leading us to the wondrous event of Christ’s birth. As we listen to the readings and raise our voices in carols, we invite you to open your hearts to the message of peace that this season brings.

Whether you are a Gardener or new to The Garden community, know that you are warmly welcomed. Our prayer is that you leave here tonight sharing love, light, peace, and goodwill to all.

As we hear the familiar story again, may it serve as a reminder of the light that continues to shine in our lives today. Let us carry that light into the world, sharing the love of Christ with our families, friends, and neighbors.

We pray that you find this time to be a moment of reflection, joy, and connection. May it inspire you to embrace the true meaning of Christmas and carry that spirit into the New Year.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas filled with love and joy!

Peace,

Carolyn

Love on a Starry, Starry Night

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:04:34 GMT

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Have you noticed the moon this week? Big and full, accompanied by the stars. Some of those stars are big and bright, while others only appear as tiny lights in the distance, barely visible. In a way, they serve as a reminder to all of us that we are the light. Some of us are burning brightly, while others are doing all they can just to put a little light out into the universe. And we can trust we will always find a way to bring light into the world because light has no end.

On this last Sunday of our Advent journey, let's look up to the skies and find the light of Christ. A light that may illuminate our paths, fill our hearts with hope, and compel us to share that light with others. In a world often overshadowed by darkness, we are called to be light-bearers, shining brightly with love and grace. Join us Sunday as we look to the light on a Starry, Starry Night.

Joy on a Starry, Starry Night

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:36:21 GMT

The Third Sunday of Advent

Stars have always held a special place in our human experience. They are symbols of wonder, beauty, and guidance. People have looked to the stars for navigation and inspiration for centuries. In the context of the Christmas story, the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem symbolizes the joy and love in the birth of Jesus.

Joy is an interesting emotion. We often confuse it with happiness, which can be fleeting and dependent on our circumstances. Joy, however, is deeper. To me, it is a profound sense of contentment and peace that springs from knowing we are loved and cared for by God.

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, especially during the holiday season, it can be easy to lose sight of this joy. We become consumed by the pressures of gift-giving, the stress of family gatherings, and the endless to-do lists. Yet, the essence of Advent calls us to pause and reflect on the source of our joy.

Join us Sunday as we explore Joy on a Starry Starry Night.

Peace on a Starry, Starry Night

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:20:32 GMT

The Second Sunday of Advent

Last week, Michael Read welcomed the Advent season by singing “Starry, Starry Night” to usher in the lighting of the Advent candle of hope. As I walked the dogs Sunday night, the lyrics echoed in my mind: “Starry, starry night / Paint your palette blue and gray / Look out on a winter's night (in place of summer's day) / With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.” Gazing up at the heavens, I was met with a breathtaking sight. It was a magical, peaceful moment amidst the darkness, a truly holy experience.

With the busyness of this season swirling around me, it took a simple upward glance on a late-night walk with my dogs to remember where the true magic lies – in the quiet moments when the world's noise fades away. Perhaps the best way to find our direction this Advent season is by looking up at the vast expanse of the night sky. In gazing at those tiny beacons of light, we are reminded that we, too, are stars, part of something infinitely larger than ourselves.

This Sunday, we'll look skyward together to explore what it means to live in peace. We'll seek to discover a sense of peace that transcends our daily struggles and worries. Join us for "Peace on a Starry, Starry Night.

The Garden's 3rd Annual CHRISTMAS CABARET

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:17:12 GMT

Leah Crane with Pavel & Direct Contact

The Garden invites you to its third annual Christmas Cabaret! This year we are excited to present the incredible Leah Crane with Pavel & Direct Contact.

About this amazing quartet:

Pavel & Direct Contact is known for energetic, fiery performances, much in the vein of the modern pyro-technicians of today’s Latin Jazz world. Led by Internationally-known Dominican pianist and Chicago Music Awards Nominee, Pavel Polanco-Safadit, Direct Contact brings an unforgettable experience of Latin Jazz, Salsa, and Latin-infused American pop song. With a combined experience from around the globe, the band members have played throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The band is composed of Indy Jazz Hall-of-Famers, studio musicians, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra players, and International artists. These professional musicians have shared the stage with legends such as Ray Charles, Peter Erskine, Kenny G, Dave Valentin, Max Weinberg, Patti LaBelle, Roscoe Mitchell, Gunther Schuller, The Who, The Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, Ben E. King, and Henry Mancini.

Pavel & Direct Contact features vibrant horns, Latin rhythms, and vocals in both Spanish and English. In 2010, Direct Contact released their first album The Other Side (2016). Since then, they have produced four recordings with AireBorn Records: Rush Hour (2017), D’la Calle (2018), Americanisao (2019), and Día Bonito (2021). These compositions by Steve Dokken and Pavel feature David Allee, Leah Crane, Rob Dixon, Matt McGraw, Freddie Mendoza, and Gerardo Beccera. Along with their single, “You” (2020), these can be found on all platforms. Most recently, the band released an album of their most downloaded & streamed songs called Essentials (2023). In addition to performing, Pavel has been named "Artist in Residence" at Butler University and Eskenazi Hospital. With dancing shoes or not, you will be immersed into a world of entertainment!

Starry Nights: An Advent Devotional Full of Light and Wonder

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:53:40 GMT

Advent, Light, and Wonder

Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and wonder. Not like “waiting in line,” but rather like waiting for a concert to begin, a love letter to arrive, or the stars to come out on a cold, clear night. A time of anticipation, expectation, and excitement. A time of renewing our hope, peace, joy, and love, getting ready for the marvel on the way.

The word itself is from the Latin adventus (“arrival”) – and of course the wondrous One who’s arriving is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Over the next four weeks, we’ll read scripture, pray, sing, and light candles to remind us of the growing light of God’s presence, even and especially in the shadows of despair, conflict, sorrow, and hate.

Indeed, Advent arrives as the nights grow long and deep and dark (at least in the Northern Hemisphere!). Around December 21st, the winter solstice marks the longest night of the year – and though we sometimes think of “night” as a metaphor for difficulty, this year let’s lean into a different kind of poetry, the poetry of the stars.

Dark skies are perfect for stargazing, for seeking out the Light of the World among the deep indigos, bottomless blues, and inky blacks of God’s night sky. Just as the shepherds and Magi looked up to the heavens and faithfully followed the stars, we’ll spend the next four weeks training our eyes to wait, and to watch, and to wonder at all God has done – and will do – for the love of this broken, beautiful world.

A Candle of Hope

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:25:22 GMT

The First Sunday of Advent

Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and wonder—not like “waiting in line,” but more like waiting for a concert to start, a love letter to arrive, or the stars to emerge on a crisp, clear night. It's a time of anticipation, expectation, and excitement, a season to renew our hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare for the marvel that's on its way.

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival.” The One we eagerly await is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Over the next four weeks, we'll read scripture, pray, sing, and light candles to remind us of the growing light of God’s presence, especially amidst shadows of despair, conflict, sorrow, and hate.

As the nights grow longer and darker, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, Advent arrives. Around December 21st, the winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. While "night" can be a metaphor for difficulty, this year, let's embrace the poetry of the stars. Dark skies are perfect for stargazing, for seeking the Light of the World amidst deep indigos, bottomless blues, and inky blacks of God’s night sky. Just as the shepherds and Magi gazed at the heavens and faithfully followed the stars, we'll spend the next four weeks training our eyes to wait, watch, and wonder at all God has done—and will do—for the love of this broken, beautiful world.

There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves…Then they will see “the Child of Humanity coming in a cloud”

with power and great glory. Luke 21:25-27

Friendsgiving

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 23:47:09 GMT

In the 18th-century classic, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life , William Law wrote, “Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it. Could you therefore work miracles, you could not do more for yourself than by this thankful spirit, for it turns all that it touches into happiness.” Law makes a great point. When you see God at work and respond to what God is doing with thankfulness instead of resistance, we will soon discover a way to live a life of thanksgiving. Join us Sunday as we celebrate the power of thankful living.

"Crowded Table"

Recorded by The Highwomen

Written by Brandi Carlile, Lori Mckenna, Natalie Nicole Hemby

Lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC, CTM Outlander Music LC, Universal Music Publishing Group

"Thank You For Being A Friend"

Written by Andrew M Gold

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc

"Autumn Leaves"

Written by Jacques Prévert, Johnny Mercer & Joseph Kosma. Recorded by Eric Clapton.

Hope

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:16:59 GMT

Revisiting The Garden's Word of the Year

The word of the year for the Garden is HOPE. On Sunday, we will be reminded of our hope-filled journey in 2024 where we learned hope is a choice.

In the face of trials that test the limits of our endurance, that tempt us to despair, hope remains as a choice. Even in the darkest hours, the human spirit reveals remarkable resilience. We are called upon to rise above adversity, to extend a hand to those in need, and to face the our fears of the unknown and the things we cannot control with courage and compassion. In the shared struggle, in the humble commitment to help each another, we can forge a strength to transcend trials that seek to break us.

In times of uncertainty and challenge, the words of J.R.R. Tolkien in his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy speak to the essence of hope, resilience, and community. As Frodo laments the burden placed upon him, Gandalf’s wisdom sheds light on the power of our choices and actions. "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

On Sunday we will focus on choosing what we can control and that is living in hope. Hope emerges as we lean on each other hope emerges as we lean on one another for support. By choosing to extend a helping hand, we not only strengthen our own resolve but also kindle sparks of hope in those around us, proving that together, we can navigate even the darkest of times.

Join us this Sunday for a message about the power of Hope.

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

When others hate, may you love.

When others curse, may you bless.

When others hurt, may you heal.

When others divide, may you unite.

When others rage, may you calm.

When others deny, may you affirm.

You are a servant of the light.

You need not be afraid of darkness.

God will strengthen you to carry on with your work

to faithfully follow Jesus:

to love the stranger, to love your enemy, to love your neighbor.

Amen

Based on a prayer by Steven Charleston, Native American Theologian and former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska

Take a Hike!

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:32:20 GMT

Have you ever been told to “Take a Hike”? This phrase became popular in the 70s alongside expressions like “get out of here” and “hit the road, Jack.” It was used to encourage someone to move on.

In 1976, The Hiking Society decided to leverage this movement and introduced an annual “Take a Hike Day.” This event encourages people to step into the great outdoors. For people of faith, stepping out into nature is an essential part of the faith pilgrimage.

Taking a hike allows us to escape the noise and distractions of daily life and immerse ourselves in the splendor of the natural world. It's an opportunity to meditate on God’s goodness and be reminded of the Spirit’s presence. As we pause to appreciate the beauty around us, our hearts are drawn closer to God.

On Sunday, we will take time to highlight the power of connecting with God in nature and give everyone a chance to “Take a Hike.”

 Devotional Moment

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime;

therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;

therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;

therefore we are saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint;

therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.

—Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History

All Saints Day 2024

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:49:30 GMT

This Sunday, The Garden invites you to a special All Saints Day service, a time to remember those we have lost and to celebrate the promise of eternal life. It's a day to acknowledge the bittersweet joy of love that transcends even death.

We'll gather to honor the memories of those who have passed, both in recent times and long ago. We'll share stories, laughter, and perhaps a few tears, as we remember their lives and the legacies they left behind.

All Saints Day is a beautiful reminder that while earthly life may end, love and life continue in a new way. It's a time to find comfort in the promise of eternal life and to celebrate the enduring bonds we share with those who have gone before us.

Join us this Sunday for an All Saints Day celebration filled with remembrance, hope, and love.

Blinded by the Light

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:22:35 GMT

In what ways are we blind?

Have you ever been in a situation where someone sees something in the clouds like an animal or person? They say “look at that,” and everyone turns and sees what the person is talking about. That is, everyone but you. You look and look. People point it out and you move your head but, alas, you cannot see what is right in front of you. It can be frustrating for sure. More than once, I have not been able to see what others see right in front of me.

This weekend, we will revisit the story where Jesus heals a blind man named Bartimaeus. We will recall how Bartimaeus sees what he needs to do to connect with Jesus, while others are blinded to the amazing life Jesus offers. We will look more closely at the story and ponder the questions, "What are we blind to? What keeps us from seeing the life we are called to live? Are we blind to the ways God is already working in our lives?"

Sometimes, we miss the miracles unfolding around us because we're committed to the life perspectives we have become accustomed to, even when they keep us away from the light. Join us Sunday as we consider what it means to be Blinded by the Light.

"I Believe"

Written by Paul Michael Barry, Brian Higgins, Steve Torch

I Believe Lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Sony/atv Tunes Llc, Bmg Rights Management (uk) Limited, S.M.Y. Publishing, Breakthrough Creations, Xenomania Songs Ltd, Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited

"Here I Am"

Written by Joey Gian

"Doctor My Eyes"

Written by Jackson Brown

Opportunity or Obligation?

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:19:20 GMT

Our "being" can inform our "doing".

We live in a time ripe with opportunities to transform the world through God's love. For many, this is an incredible chance to deepen their faith and put it into action. These are the people who, when they see a need, jump in wholeheartedly.

Yet, others feel overwhelmed by the world's problems. Instead of engaging, they struggle to discern where they're called to serve. When they do get involved, it often feels like an obligation. I'm sure most of us have experienced both scenarios—eagerly embracing opportunities and feeling burdened by obligation.

This Sunday, we'll explore what it means to be people of faith and action. We'll discuss discernment, how we're called to serve, and how our "being" can inform our "doing."

It's important to remember that even Jesus didn't do it all. He didn't meet every need. He left people waiting to be healed. He left one town to preach in another. He took time to rest and pray. He got tired. He never interacted with most people on the planet. He spent thirty years preparing for only three years of ministry.

Jesus didn't try to do everything, and yet, he did everything God asked of him.

Join us this Sunday as we delve deeper into being people of faith and discern what we are called to do.

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

whenever I feel helpless

in this overwhelming world

I become a helper

oh, oh

my love

on the days

when it feels like

I have no power

I serve others

you see,

whenever I wash

the world's feet

my hands

immediately

stop shaking.

john roedel

Indigenous Peoples' Celebration

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:58:08 GMT

Honoring Indigenous Voices

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors who lived on the land now known as North America. These communities thrived for thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived. Several prominent Native American nations, including the Miami, Shawnee, and Illinois, lived in Indiana.

On Sunday, we will look more closely at what we can learn from our native brothers and sisters and their relationship with the earth, creation, one another, and the spirit. Their deep connection to the land and respect for all living things offer valuable lessons for us today. Join us for stories and lessons from the indigenous voices of Indiana, as we celebrate their enduring legacy and wisdom.

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

Grandfather,

Look at our brokenness.

We know that in all creation only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way.

We know that we are the ones who are divided and we are the ones who must come back together to walk the Sacred Way.

Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love, compassion,and honor that we may heal the earth and heal each other.

–Ojibway prayer .

The Garden Presents Silver Night

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 14:56:39 GMT

A dance formal for neurodivergent teens

We are excited to announce that The Garden will be hosting a special formal dance for neurodiverse teens on Friday, November 22nd. We understand that teenagers with autism or other neurological differences may sometimes feel excluded from traditional events like prom or homecoming. Our aim is to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all. We are looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks such as set-up, clean-up, supervision, promotion, refreshments, and decorations. Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of these teens.

Where: The Great Room at Union Chapel Indy

When: 6:30-9:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Cost: Donations appreciated. Free for all.

Attire: "formal"... whatever that means to you. We invite teens to dress in what makes them feel good and special.

Questions: Use the form to submit your questions.

Hope Grows Here

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:35:10 GMT

Our 2025 Stewardship Campaign Has Begun

Dear Gardeners,

This is the time of year when we ask you to make a financial pledge to The Garden. We prayerfully hope that you will do so by joining our 2025 "Hope Grows Here" pledge campaign. As you may recall, we chose "hope" as our community focus in January 2024. With that focus, we have indeed seen that hope is growing and does not disappoint!

We have great reason for hope as we look forward to the future, as The Garden continues to grow and transform the world with the love of God. Hope is growing in The Garden through increased attendance, enhanced programming, and outreach. We continue to see hope come to fruition in our existing, firmly planted programs like our Big and Little Gives, Faith and Action, and participation in efforts like Soups’ On and Shalom Zone.

This year, we brought on Betty Brandt as our Program Director. With just a few seeds, she has planted programming that has taken root and continues to grow with Together in 111 and the Art Gallery. In addition to those efforts, our Faith in Action team continues to grow, and The Garden has joined a team of churches on the north side committed to peace and unity.

Our worship continues to bring hope to Gardeners in-house and online. Our numbers are increasing on-site, and we have Gardeners watching from Montana to Delaware. Together, we all share in the spiritual connection of Shalom, Salaam, Namaste, and Peace. Doran Nash, our Music Director, continues to bring a variety of music and musicians that make Garden services deeply meaningful.

I give God thanks that Hope Grows Here in The Garden, and I believe that we are positioned perfectly to continue to grow wherever hope is planted in 2025. The Garden continues to be a dynamic, vibrant community that is committed to transforming the world with the love of God.

Please consider planting hope with a first-time pledge or planting more seeds by increasing your pledge in 2025. We hope to reach our goal of 70 family units pledging a total of $175,000. Last year we had 62 family units at $154,000. Will you please submit your pledge by Sunday, November 24? That way, we can include you in a special blessing. You will find all the information you need about pledging on the back of this letter.

Thank you for believing that Hope Grows Here!

Peace,

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes, Lead Pastor and Beth Young, Leadership Team Chair

Welcome to the Shalom Zone

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:05:37 GMT

World Communion Sunday

This Sunday World Wide Communion Sunday, when we come together in unity to celebrate God’s work through the global church. We will celebrate our work with other churches on the Northside in a program known as “The Shalom Zone.”

Shalom Zone is an inspiring example of interfaith collaboration in action. Diverse churches – Allisonville Christian Church, Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, Epworth United Methodist Church, St. Pius X Catholic Church, The Garden, and First Friends Quaker Church – are driven by their shared mission to serve the community and build God's kingdom.

Shalom Zone's activities are as diverse as its members. They host eco-film screenings with expert discussions, organize electronics recycling drives to promote environmental responsibility, and hold annual garage sales that fund local charities like School on Wheels. Recognizing the issue of food insecurity, they provide free lunches for children during school breaks. Furthermore, they foster a spirit of unity through an annual ecumenical Thanksgiving service. Through their support of SAWs, a non-profit that builds wheelchair ramps, Shalom Zone empowers those with disabilities to live independently and remain connected to their community.

World Wide Communion Sunday reminds us that while we may worship in different languages, cultures, and traditions, we are all called to share in the transformation of the world with the unconditional love of God. We will highlight some of the special projects The Shalom zone will be offering, and share how you can get involved. Join us Sunday as we celebrate coming together in The Shalom Zone.

Devotional Moment

May the love of life fill our hearts.

Mat the love of earth bring joy to heaven.

May the love of self deepen our souls.

May the love of neighbor heal the world.

As nations, as peoples, as families this day,

may the love of life heal our world.

John Philip Newell

"Praying with the Earth"

Pillars of Faith

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:19:49 GMT

Building a Spiritual Revolution

Have you ever stood in awe before an ancient monument like the Parthenon, marveling at the towering pillars that have withstood the test of time? Even when the building itself crumbled, those pillars remained as a testament to their strength and resilience.

Pillars play a vital role in construction, providing strong support and distributing weight, allowing structures to stand at new heights. In the same way, pillars of faith can uphold our lives, offering stability and strength in the midst of life's challenges.

This Sunday, we invite you to join us as we explore the Pillars of Faith that will fuel our Soul Boom Revolution. Together, we'll consider how we can support each other in community on our life journies. We'll reframe our narratives, embracing joy and hope, and question cynicism. We'll visualize a brighter tomorrow and actively work towards it. This is about more than just individual growth – it's about being part of a spiritual movement that seeks to transform our world with the unconditional love of God.

Join us this Sunday as we build a stronger foundation, together.

Soul Boom: A Spiritual Revolution

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:27:57 GMT

Loving Change Starts With Us

As we grapple with pandemics, economic injustice, and the effects of climate change, it's tempting to feel overwhelmed. Many of us find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Rainn Wilson, in his thought-provoking book Soul Boom , proposes a radical solution: not a political or economic shift, but a spiritual revolution. Isn't that what The Garden is all about?

Through a blend of personal anecdotes and broader observations, Wilson challenges us to look beyond the surface-level chaos and consider the deeper spiritual roots of the challenges we share. True change, he argues, begins not in boardrooms or legislative chambers, but within our hearts. Wilson envisions a transformation of consciousness, a collective awakening to our interconnectedness. As Gardeners, we can let our spirits lead, move beyond self-interest, and help promote a sense of global community. Let us recognize the possibilities within serious the challenges we face.

This Sunday, join us as we contemplate the transformative message of Soul Boom . We will explore how we can be part of a spiritual revolution, how we can awaken our hearts and minds to create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world.

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

Lord, listen to my prayer; hear me in my hour of need.

I am overwhelmed by my troubles and terrified by my thoughts.

Guide my feet on your path; don't let me stop or falter.

Teach me how powerful your love is and how unsubstantial my fears....

Protect me; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Cover me with your mercy; rock me to sleep in the dark.

And let me, when I awaken, see nothing but the light of your face.

Adaptation of Psalm 17 by Stephen Mitchell

A Garden on the Move

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:00:58 GMT

The Current Situation

This Sunday, we reflect on the history of our church and how God has always called communities of faith to be on the move. From the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, to Jesus sending out the 12 Disciples and the 70 in Acts, the church has always been on the move. However, at some point, we moved the church indoors, into buildings, and this shift has had a significant impact.

Join us as we look back at where the church has come from and where we are headed. We’ll share important information about our current location at Union Chapel and its impact on The Garden community. We’ll also pause to be mindful that, whatever the future holds, The Garden will always follow God’s calling. Our journey is not just physical but spiritual as well.

Join us this Sunday for “A Garden on the Move.”

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end… I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust You always.

Thomas Merton in Thoughts in Solitude

The Tenderness Tour

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:14:48 GMT

The Garden Welcomes Guest Richard Propes

Only days before he leaves on his 150-mile wheelchair ride to eliminate medical debt in Indiana, Richard Propes joins The Garden to explore what it means to bring Micah 6:8 to life in our daily lives... Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly... and invites us to reflect on how these are the ways that we love one another.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

A Labor of Love

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:24:07 GMT

Celebrating Labor Day

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, marks the time in the U.S. when we honor the contributions and achievements of workers. It's a day of rest and reflection meant to honor the tireless efforts of those who have built our nation. The labor movement’s roots go back to the late 19th century, when workers fought for rights, fairer wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable working hours. Their struggles paved the way for the labor laws and protections that many now take for granted.

From the early days of industrialization to the present, the labor movement has been a force for positive change in our society. It's a reminder that every worker, regardless of their profession, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As we celebrate Labor Day, we recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and equality for all workers, recognizing that their well-being is essential to the health of our communities and our nation.

This Labor Day, let's not only celebrate the achievements of the labor movement but also reflect on how we can continue to build a more just and equitable society for all. Our faith calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that includes those who work alongside us, those who serve us, and those who depend on us. May this Labor Day be a reminder that our work is not just a means to an end but a labor of love, a way to express our creativity, our compassion, and our shared humanity.

What is Christian Nationalism?

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:19:36 GMT

This Sunday at The Garden, we invite you to join us for a thought-provoking message on the topic of Christian Nationalism, inspired by Andrew Whitehead’s insightful book, American Idolatry . Whitehead, a Sociology Professor at Indiana University, researches and documents how Christian Nationalism has shaped and influenced American Christianity. His work challenges us to reflect on the ways in which power, fear, and violence can distort the gospel’s message of love and compassion. As we gather, let’s approach this discussion with open hearts and minds, seeking to understand and embrace the true essence of our faith and embrace our responsibility to model the golden rule and remember that as Christians, we do not hold a monopoly on God. Together, we can explore how to foster a community rooted in empathy, justice, and the loving teachings of the gospel. We look forward to seeing you at Sunday service and sharing in this important conversation Together in 111.

Thank You from Andrew

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:45:00 GMT

A note from Andrew

Members of the Garden Community:

As I begin to get back to a work routine, I want to again thank you for all that you have done for Carolyn and me as I have had my surgery and as I have been at home. I want to thank you for allowing Carolyn the time to be with me and for all the cards and phone calls. I am very grateful for the visits made to the hospital and to the house. We are both blessed to have a supportive church family and I know that your prayers have been answered.

Thank you.

Andrew

What is Idolatry?

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:01:43 GMT

Christian Nationalism Part 1

The Bible warns against idolatry. But what is it exactly? How can I avoid it if I don’t know what it is? Colossians 3:5-6 offers an edict that fearful people might be tempted to use as justification for hatred and persecution. It says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Its purpose, though, is not that we should judge others. Instead, it encourages us to examine ourselves and let go of harmful behaviors and desires that can negatively impact our lives and the lives of those around us. From a secular, progressive perspective, this passage represents a call to self-improvement and ethical living. It urges us to move away from actions driven by greed, lust, and malice, and instead focus on cultivating positive qualities like empathy, integrity, and respect for others. By doing so, we can create a more just and compassionate society, free from the destructive influences of selfishness and harmful desires.

Join us this Sunday as we explore the concept of idolatry and its impact on our lives. We'll discuss what idolatry really means, how to recognize it in our daily routines, and why it's important to stay mindful of our priorities.

Summer Reading Suggestions

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:20:29 GMT

Summer Reading

What are you reading this summer? Carolyn and Betty have some great recommendations! They suggest American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church by Andrew Whitehead, who will be speaking at North Church on September 15th. Gardeners are invited to attend, and the event will be followed by a conversation.

Another recommendation is Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution by Rainn Wilson.

Discussions on both books will be part of the Together in 111 series.

Word Up

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:01:16 GMT

How's it going with your One Word?

As we welcomed 2024, Gardeners again each chose a single word to guide our spiritual focus for this year. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to reflect and ask, “What’s your word?” or “How is it going with your One Word?”

For many of you, this note serves as a gentle reminder of the commitment you made to keep your word at the forefront of your spiritual practice. Some of you might be thinking, “Of course, I’m practicing my word!” You’ve been dedicated to a clear and direct spiritual discipline, keeping your word front and center. Others might read this and suddenly remember they haven’t thought about their word for weeks or even months. And then there are those who might be wondering, “What is this word she’s talking about?” Perhaps you, like me, find yourself somewhere in between.

This weekend, we’ll check in on how The Garden has been living into our community word of the year. I HOPE (hint hint) you’ll join us on Sunday for “Word Up?” to share your experiences and reconnect with your spiritual focus.

See you there!

Why I Am Not an Atheist

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:17:07 GMT

Guest Pastor Terry Daniel

This Sunday we welcome a guest, pastor Terry Daniel, pastor of Metanoia: Church of Transformation, United Church of Christ, for a thought-provoking message titled "Why I Am Not an Atheist." Terry speaker will share personal experiences that reveal the reality of a Divine Presence, experiences that resonate with many of us. Discover how "God is not a Someone to search for in the heavens, but the power that brings all someones alive." Explore the idea that "God is everywhere and nowhere," and how "God is the love that shows up in community, especially when we have run out of answers." This message promises to be a heartfelt exploration of faith and the divine in our everyday lives.

Show and Tell

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 12:50:42 GMT

Sharing Our Stories

Do you remember the excitement of participating in Show and Tell during your early school days? It was a special moment to share something meaningful from your life with your friends, giving them a glimpse into what mattered to you. This Sunday, we invite you to relive that joy with a special Show and Tell Gallery edition at our service.

Members of the Garden community will present photos they have chosen for the Gallery, each with a unique story and significance. These images are not just pictures; they are windows into the lives and experiences of our fellow members, offering us a chance to connect on a deeper level.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus uses the Parables of the Lamp and the Measure to remind us of the importance of sharing our light with others. Just as a lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house, we are called to share our stories and experiences. Show and Tell is not just a childhood activity; it is a vital part of our spiritual journey.

By sharing our stories, we illuminate the path for others and foster a sense of community and understanding. Join us this Sunday to see the beautiful and meaningful photos our members have chosen, and to reflect on how we can all participate in this spiritual Show and Tell. Let’s come together to celebrate the light within each of us and the ways we can share it with the world.

Jazz Sunday

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 22:25:05 GMT

Welcome to Jazz Sunday at The Garden!

Today, we celebrate the rich history and transformative power of music. Among the four instruments in our small ensemble, we have the conga drum, which has played a significant role in jazz. Originating in Afro-Cuban culture, the conga drum became a cornerstone of Latin jazz in the 1930s and 1940s, thanks to pioneers like Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. Their fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies created a vibrant new genre that continues to inspire.

Similarly, the steelpan instrument from Trinidad and Tobago exemplifies how repeated actions can lead to transformation. Born out of necessity, the steelpan emerged from everyday objects like oil drums and cookie tins, evolving into a unique musical instrument through persistent drumming.

Just as these instruments transformed through repeated actions, our spiritual practices can also lead to profound change.

This Jazz Sunday is made possible by the GLT’s extra funds to promote Indianapolis music at the Garden, thanks to the success of our Hogeye Navvy program. We aim to feature new and exciting Indianapolis artists quarterly, and we’d love to hear your suggestions! Please drop a comment with your feedback.

Enjoy the music and the journey of transformation it represents!

From Practice to Action

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:53:00 GMT

Spiritual Disciplines Part 4 of 4

Over the last few weeks, we have explored spiritual disciplines—practices that help us engage deeply with our faith, strengthen our relationship with God, and foster spiritual growth. These disciplines are designed to draw us closer to God, nurture spiritual maturity, and guide us in living according to the example set by Jesus. We have delved into spiritual direction, faith practices, and the power of prayer. This week, we will take a closer look at what happens when our spirit moves us to action. What unfolds when the still, small voice of God leads us to unexpected paths and places we might never have considered, or even resisted? For many, this is where the true journey of faith begins. It is in these moments of divine prompting that we often find our faith tested and our spiritual resolve strengthened, as we learn to trust and follow God’s guidance in new and transformative ways.

Do You Mind?

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:39:23 GMT

Spiritual Disciplines Part 3 of 4: Mindfulness

This Sunday we continued our series on Spiritual Disciplines with a focus on mindfulness, the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment. When we are mindful, we take space to connect with the spirit beyond the physical realm. Through mindfulness, we can intentionally step out of the ordinary and into the presence of God. Even Jesus had to create space for mindfulness and divine connection.

One might say we live in a world that does not promote mindfulness. Most of us are driven to distraction thinking about what is happening now, what we need to do, or what we have done. Let's just admit it: we are a busy people and it's hard for us to be still. But the truth about life is business often blocks mindfulness. One cannot connect with the spirit without being still. Mindfulness involves paying attention to one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. In this service, we looked at some practical ways to live connected to the spirit through mindfulness.

Faith and Practice

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 14:44:31 GMT

Spiritual Disciplines Part 2 of 4: Buddhism and Yoga

This Sunday at The Garden, we'll continue our short series exploring spiritual disciplines with a guest, Betty Klein. She will share her journey with Buddhism and how the simple mindfulness and meditation techniques of Buddhism can enhance your spiritual journey, fostering inner peace and compassion. Her journey will encourage your own personal connection with the Divine.

After the service at 10am, Betty will continue her time with us in Together in 111 where she will do some basic chair yoga with its emphasis on breath and movement.

Whether you are new to these practices or have been exploring them for years, this service and class promise to offer valuable perspectives. Join us for a morning of reflection, learning, and spiritual growth.

Listening with the Ear of Your Heart

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:10:31 GMT

Spiritual Disciplines Part 1 of 4: Inspirations of Grace

Have you ever wondered how to better understand the inspirations of grace in yourself? In the quiet spaces of our lives, there exists a sacred practice—-an artistry of presence. It’s the art of listening with the ear of your heart. Imagine your heart as a finely tuned instrument, attuned to the whispers of grace, the echoes of pain, and the melodies of hope. It’s in this tender listening that we encounter the divine.

When we listen with our hearts, we become bearers of burdens. We hold the fragile stories of others—their joys and sorrows, their triumphs and defeats. We don’t merely hear; we cradle their words, allowing them to resonate within us.

The ear of the heart discerns beyond surface noise. It hears the unspoken ache, the silent plea for understanding. It leans in when someone shares their dreams, their fears, their questions about purpose. And in that leaning, we fulfill the law of love—the law that binds us together, transcending borders and beliefs.

A spiritual director is a guide who can help you on this journey, leading you to the destination God has in store for you. Join us at The Garden this Sunday, with special guest Bill Johnson.

Manadala Workshop with Susan Whitney Alley

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:34:12 GMT

Together in 111

Susan has been drawing mandalas for 14 years, ever since she retired from her practice as a Marriage & Family Therapist. With her love of color and spaces, she cultivates a spiritual practice without words, leading to a quiet, vibrant way of connecting with the Divine. Join her in Together in 111 on Sunday, June 23 for a mini experiential workshop. You, too, can create a mandala to reflect your inner spirit.

The Spirit of Fatherhood

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:12:57 GMT

Father's Day

As we approach Father’s Day, it’s a time to honor not only fathers but all who have fathered us in life’s journey. Just as we’ve expanded our metaphors for God beyond “God the Father,” we recognize those who, though not our biological fathers, have provided love, care, and sustained guidance. This Sunday, we celebrate Father’s Day with a broader perspective, appreciating everyone who has offered unwavering support and embraced the essence of fatherhood, no matter how they came into the role.

How to Be an Ally

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:58:50 GMT

Why "Pride"?

I once had a close friend ask me, "Why is there a 'Pride' month? Why does the gay community talk so much about pride?" He was an ally to be sure, but he did not understand how pride came to be associated with being gay. I think it's a good question, and one I expect many people have.

Last week, I came across a meme someone had posted on social media criticizing Pride month. The gist of it was that people in the LGBTQ community have not accomplished anything simply by being LGBTQ, so they have no reason to be celebratory and prideful. The tone was clear; this was not the statement of an ally, but of someone who wishes the LGBTQ community would just be quiet and stop making themselves so visible.

In fact, with courage and tenacity, LGBTQ people have accomplished a great deal in the past few decades. Attitudes have changed dramatically, the majority of Americans support marriage quality (and that percentage keeps increasing), and people are embracing their gender and sexual identities more readily than ever. That IS something to celebrate. Even so, Pride in our community is not really about accomplishments. So, what is it about? What can you, as an ally, tell people if this question arises?

Pride is a direct response to the message of shame that has been put upon queer people for generations. We say we have pride because the message that we should be ashamed of who we are remains prevalent. We reject that message, and we embrace pride because it is the opposite of shame. We are not proud of our sexual identities and/or non-conforming gender identities because we think we should be rewarded for them. We are proud because we know we are worthy of love, acceptance, and equality.

Pride month is about celebrating diversity and affirming our right to be seen, accepted, and respected, even if we are not necessarily understood.

This Sunday at The Garden, we will welcome some guests from the LGBTQ community who will help us understand what allyship is, and how we can be allies for each other.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

Tue, 28 May 2024 17:48:00 GMT

The Memories that Move and Shape Us

Not long ago, I attended a funeral for my friend’s brother. Before the service, they shared a slideshow of photos from his life. As I did not know him, I watched the slideshow with great interest. I was amazed at how much I could learn about him through these snapshots of his life. The series of photos offered a glimpse into the life of a man who clearly loved his family, had a great sense of humor, enjoyed time with friends, and lived each day to the fullest, even through illness. As I left the service, I thought about the slideshow that could be played at my funeral. When the day comes for people to gather and celebrate my life after my passing, what snapshots will be chosen to represent my life? What would someone learn about me by simply watching a 5-minute slideshow? This Sunday, we will explore the memories that move and shape us, the snapshots of our lives. What will be the lasting images of your life’s adventure? Join us for "A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words."

– Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

A New Day

Tue, 21 May 2024 15:52:44 GMT

Takeaways from the General Conference

After delays and postponements, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church conducted its international session in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23 to May 3, 2024. It was worth the wait! The conference marked a watershed moment, sweeping away outdated language and lifting ordination barriers tied to human sexuality. This bold stride forward heralds a new era for the church, one that embraces every individual as a cherished part of God’s diverse family. This Sunday, we'll share an overview of resolutions passed and contemplate the exciting journey ahead for the United Methodist Church as it steps into a future that embraces loving inclusivity.

12 Exposures - A Play by Matthew Vire

Mon, 13 May 2024 16:47:04 GMT

Special Theatrical Performance June 2

Together in 111 on June 2, enjoy a new play to be performed by Atlanta-based actor Charmain Howington and The Garden's own Kimberly Morgan and Matthew Vire, with discussion to follow. 12 Exposures delves into the tapestry of our memories, posing the poignant inquiry: Which snapshots of your existence have imprinted themselves indelibly upon your soul? As you sift through the gallery of your life, which moments have illuminated the essence of your passions, the subjects of your affections, and the core of what you hold dear?

10:30 a.m. June 2, 2024

2720 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN

Free admission

When I Was Hungry

Mon, 13 May 2024 14:17:51 GMT

Bread for the World & Crooked Creek Food Pantry

On Sunday, we will welcome Grace Kozak from Bread for the World Indianapolis, and Kathy Hahn Keiner, Executive Director of the Crooked Creek Food Pantry. Over the years, The Garden has partnered with these two organizations to help end hunger in our communities.

As an advocacy organization, Bread for the World urges decision makers to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger. Their mission is to educate and equip people to advocate for policies and programs that can help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Crooked Creek Food Pantry is a drive-thru food pantry on the northwest side of Indianapolis. They work to eliminate hunger while building relationships to support the needs of families and people it serves. This Sunday, you will be given the opportunity to dig in and help fight hunger in Indianapolis through letter writing, engaging at Crooked Creek, and helping out with Garden’s Gardens.

Mothers' Day

Tue, 07 May 2024 16:21:18 GMT

The Interview

This Sunday, we gather to honor the essence of motherhood on a day dedicated to cherishing the nurturing spirit of Mothers. The archetypal heart of a mother represents a beacon of love, a wellspring of care, and a guide through life’s journey. A mother's selflessness knows no bounds, as they place the needs of their kin above their own, ensuring the flourishing of those in their care.

This Mother’s Day, our tribute extends beyond the realm of biological ties. We take a moment to celebrate the maternal affection and care demonstrated by women in many forms. Be it an aunt, a godmother, a mentor, a caregiver, or a steadfast ally in life’s odyssey, our mother-figures' contributions are priceless and deserving of acclaim.

Let us come together on Mother's Day to bask in the warmth of maternal affection, a gift that enriches our lives immeasurably.

Welcoming the Stranger

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:54:13 GMT

Who is My Neighbor? Part 3

In the library of biblical texts, you'll uncover a recurring motif, woven some 300 times with threads of wisdom about the sojourner, the outsider, the one who treads paths into lands unknown to them. These ancient words do more than merely acknowledge the existence of such individuals; they paint a vivid picture of our duties towards them. Here's a subtle clue for the curious heart: it's not about erecting barriers. Embracing the stranger is a sacred act, a testament of faith, where we are called to extend a hand of kindness, to offer solace to the widow and the orphan, to uplift the dispossessed and the overlooked, with the gentle touch of respect, dignity, and heartfelt empathy.

We invite you to gather with us this Sunday for a communal reflection on the grace of hospitality and compassion.

Who is My Neighbor? (part 2)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:42:49 GMT

Welcome our Guest, Judge David Shaheed

On this Sunday, we welcomed Judge David Shaheed, who shared his Muslim faith tradition with us. He and his daughters recently returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to make the spiritual journey of Umrah, the lsser Hajj. He has made the entire Hajj twice in his lifetime. These pilgrimages are deeply transformative experiences and provide a time of unity, humility, and devotion. Making the Hajj is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam and Judge Shaheed will help us understand the 5 Pillars and their significance to Muslims all over the world. Judge Shaheed has been a trial judge in the Marion County Superior Court for over 20 years, has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation and was recently honored as the 2024 CIC Interfaith Ambassador of the Year. Following the service, Judge Shaheed joined us for “Together in 111” to share slides from his recent trip and answer questions.

Who is My Neighbor?

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:05:59 GMT

It is the season of Passover for our Jewish brothers and sisters, a time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of the enduring faith and resilience. It is a time to remember the struggles of the past and to reaffirm the values of freedom, justice, and compassion in the present. On Sunday we share beloved stories from the Jewish tradition. We will also welcome Dianne Kelley from the Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, who will share about her faith and service.

Our Kaleidoscope Community

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:57:59 GMT

Jesus at the Gender Clinic

Join us April 14 when we welcome guest Patrix Carmen Daugherty from Kaleidoscope and Roberts Park UMC. After the service, there will be a presentation on #SelfMade, an innovative new service designed for transgender and non-binary individuals.

Pastrix Carmen Daugherty serves as Executive Director of Our Kaleidoscope Community, Inc., a newly formed nonprofit organization and the first extension ministry of its kind in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kaleidoscope’s mission is to prioritize and elevate queer voices, celebrate the vastness of human diversity, and reclaim our trust in Love by gathering in intersectional community.

Pastrix Carmen lives in central Indiana and received their Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. They serve under appointment at the pleasure of the Bishop at OKC as well participate in the life of Roberts Park UMC as their connectional church.

Pastrix* Carmen and her partner were college sweethearts and they have three amazing children together. They have a set of rainbow twins, a girl and boy, born 14 minutes apart from different uteri, in different hospitals, and a younger daughter. They are very proud of their queer and diverse family! In her spare-time, Pastrix Carmen enjoys throwing pottery, gardening, getting tattoos and everything queer.

*Rev. Carmen Daugherty embraces the title, "Pastrix", which author Nadia Bolz-Weber reclaims in her book, Pastrix , a messy, beautiful, prayer-and-profanity laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith. The term Pastrix (pronounced “pas-triks”) has historically been used by some Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors. (Source here)

Shadows and Light

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:36:16 GMT

The Solar Eclipse

As natural phenomena, total solar eclipses have captivated humanity for centuries, provoking awe, fear, and wonder. The spectacle of the moon blocking the sun's light inspired myths among cultures all over the world as various peoples attempted to explain what they saw. On April 8, we found ourselves in the path of the last total solar eclipse we will see in the continental U.S. until 2045. As we witness the rare event of the moon passing in front of the sun, casting a shadow over the earth, we may ponder the grandeur and beauty of the universe. But beyond the visual experience, does the eclipse hold a deeper spiritual significance that can illuminate our hearts and minds? This Sunday, we celebrated the historic eclipse of April 8, 2024.

Good Friday Video Premiere

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:19:44 GMT

Music Videos to Touch the Heart

In honor and in observance of Good Friday this year, The Garden team created a special music video service with covers of songs on themes of illness, grief, and loss. To all who struggle with pain of grief, whether from the loss of a loved one, from the pain and fear of illness, or from the end of a relationship or an unexpected job loss, please join us and know you need not walk this painful journey alone.

Easter Sunday 2024 at The Garden

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:31:40 GMT

And So it Goes: The Good, the Bad, and the Tiny Space in Between

When Kurt Vonnegut’s father was dying, he said to his son, ‘I want to thank you because you’ve never put a villain in any of your stories.’ On Easter Sunday, we will further explore the idea that, in some way or another, we all have human elements and divine possibilities in this world. We like to think of Judas as the villain in the Easter story, but the truth is we all have aspects of Judas in our personalities. The good news is we also have aspects of Jesus as well. It’s just what choices we make in living the Easter story. This Easter Sunday, we looked at… ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Tiny Space in Between.’

Palm Sunday: A New Kind of Patriot

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:19:47 GMT

And So It Goes

On Palm Sunday in 1980, Kurt Vonnegut was invited to preach at Saint Clements Episcopal Church in New York City. In that sermon, he said “I am enchanted by the Sermon on the Mount. Being merciful, it seems to me, is the only good idea we have received so far. Perhaps we will get another idea that good by and by--and then we will have two good ideas. What might that second good idea be? I don’t know. How could I know? I will make a wild guess that it will come from music somehow. I have often wondered what music is and why we love it so. It may be that music is that second good idea’s being born.”

Inspired by the words he shared that day, let us explore Palm Sunday through the eyes of Kurt Vonnegut this weekend. What can the gospel look like for one who is not concerned more about how we are choosing to live right here and right now rather than in an afterlife.

Read the Bulletin

A Musical Tour of Ireland with Hogeye Navvy

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:12:30 GMT

Outlaws & Tinkers / Seafarers & Drinkers:

Meet Visionaries On a Tour of Ireland with Hogeye Navvy!

St. Patrick’s Day is a high holy day that observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. This Sunday at The Garden, we welcomed Hogeye Navvy, a Celtic/American folk band presenting a musical tour of Ireland along with an inspiring message.

Hogeye Navvy has been a chantey-singing band for more than 35 years, long before many in the world discovered chanteys of the tall ships. Their repertoire includes songs of Ireland, the UK, and North America in traditional styles, as well as instrumental music. The band’s current line up features Garry Farren on vocals and bodhran, Mac Bellner on vocals and guitar, Leslie Selden on fiddle, and Dmitri Alano on Irish flute, penny whistle, and Highland bagpipes. The band performs every first Friday at The Aristocrat at 52nd and College Avenue in Indianapolis. Join them for good food, drink, music, and the craic!* Visit the band’s website to learn more about them and find other opportunities to hear them!

* craic

/krak/

an enjoyable social activity; a good time.

Read this week's bulletin.

A Trustworthy Prophet or a Sharp-Eyed Satirist?

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 23:38:58 GMT

And so it goes.

I remember reading Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five in high school, but that is about all I remember. So, with the encouragement of the Creative Team, I have been revisiting the work of Kurt Vonnegut. Some of it, I get. Some is still over my head. If I had not studied about WW II or had a chance to visit some of the battle sites throughout Europe, Vonnegut's work (particularly Slaughterhouse-Five ) might have been completely over my head. But having had the experience and learning more, I can see now what he was preaching. He knew first-hand the atrocities of war, and he knew the challenge of getting into the minds and hearts of those in power. Like so many prophets before him, Vonnegut knew the pain of war and the power of unity. His work is his prophetic word of warning with a side a satirical optimism. In this service, we looked at the role of our modern prophets and lessons from the prophets of old. --Carolyn

Read this week's bulletin

Breaking Down Vonnegut

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:26:30 GMT

The Garden welcomes Chris Lefave

On Sunday, March 3, we welcomed Chris Lafave. Chris is the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library Curator. He has been a Vonnegut fan since attending Ball State and became the Curator in 2012. Chris has a Master’s in Library Science, has played in a bluegrass band and loves what Indianapolis has to offer its residents. He made possible the Vonnegut art exhibit that will remain through Easter. During the service Chris shared his thoughts and insights on Vonnegut and the impact he has had on his life.

Read This Week's Bulletin

Always Someone to Talk With, to Play With, to Learn From

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:58:14 GMT

And So It Goes

In her book, Breaking Down Vonnegut , Julia Whitehead gives the reader a glimpse into Vonnegut’s childhood. His early childhood appears idyllic, playing with his siblings, trips to the summer cottage, and being cared for by the family cook. But in the background, there was the hardship of the Great Depression, financial struggles, his parents' troubles, and his mother's mental illness. Clearly these experiences influenced Vonnegut's writing and worldview. This Sunday, we will consider how looking back and reflecting on the past impacts how we experience the present and how we think about and move into our future. As we continue on the Lenten journey, we will explore how we learn from the people who raised us, the people around us and how our relationships impact the faith journey. How can we build a life on a faith we that will withstand the tests that will come?

Read This Sunday's Bulletin

And So It Goes: A Season to Pause

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:31:51 GMT

A Season to Pause

Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut uses the phrase "and so it goes," throughout his novel, Slaughterhouse-Five after moments of death, tragedy, or absurdity. "And so it goes" reflects Vonnegut's existential perspective on life and the human condition. It suggests that regardless of events or circumstances, life continues in its unpredictable and indifferent way. It conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of things happening as they do, without any control or meaning attached to them. He uses the phrase to emphasize the recurring themes of war, death, and the apparent senselessness of human existence. It serves as a reminder of the absurdity and futility of trying to find meaning or order in a chaotic world.

As we entered the holy season of Lent, we took time to pause and reflect on how we are living our numbered days. This year, we looked at the season through the eyes of Vonnegut, who had a love and appreciation for Jesus but was skeptical of Christianity. Vonnegut was known for his critical and satirical reflections on humanity and its struggle with caring for one another. He was raised in the humanist tradition but, as a little boy, much of his childcare came from a woman named Ida Young, whose grandparents were enslaved. She shared her faith with him. In his later years, Vonnegut was invited to preach on Palm Sunday, and in his message he shared this: “Being merciful, it seems to me, is the only good idea we have received so far. Perhaps we will get another idea that good by and by – and then we will have two good ideas.” This lent, we further explored the good idea of being merciful, looking more closely at the sermon on the mount and The Lord’s Prayer. We considered Jesus apart from Christianity and pondered how we can live out the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

Read this week's bulletin

Watch a wonderful video featuring the voice of Kurt Vonnegut as he reflects on his writing and childhood.

Best Buddies

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:25:25 GMT

The Garden's 1st Quarter 2024 Big Give Recipient

This Sunday at The Garden, we welcome friends from our first quarter Big Give recipient, Best Buddies Indiana. Best Buddies International represents a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This weekend, we will have an opportunity to meet and engage with some of the artists who have donated the art work that has been on display in our hallway in support of Best Buddies. Join us Sunday for a special day of Celebration and to learn more about our local Best Buddies Chapter.

Our Hope-Full Habits

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:29:50 GMT

In the month of January 2024, we were on a journey of Hope, exploring how we can become more hopeful with goal setting, will power, way power, and coming together as community to transform this year with Hope. On this Sunday, we looked back at the last 30 days, the journey we have been on, and considered how we can continue to nurture and cultivate a hope-full life, community, and world in 2024.

WE Power

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:43:16 GMT

Cultivating a Community of Hope

Studies have shown for years that it takes 11 positive messages to overcome one negative message delivered to a child. The same can be said for adults, and we are surrounded by negative messaging in the world. On Sunday, we will explore ways we can create a "hope-full" revolution with practical ways to bring hope into our homes, workplaces, and our daily journey.

Road Closed

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:46:55 GMT

Road Closed

There is nothing worse than having a journey planned out and all is going smoothly, then you run into a road block. Things are not going to plan! It can be frustrating and take the wind out of your sails. There are some folks who have found a way to navigate road blocks with hope. On Sunday we look at hope full ways to go around the road blocks of life with hope in our heart.

"Where there's a WILL there's a WAY" Power

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:02:02 GMT

Science tells us that the way we think has an incredible impact on the way we live. We are what we think and if we find a way to focus on hope we will find more meaning in life. On Sunday we will consider and assess what robs us of our hope and seek to find a way back to hope.

A Roadmap to Hope

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 22:51:22 GMT

Moving Forward with Intentional Hope

When heading out on a journey, we use many different resources to help map our route. For some this is GPS; others like a good old-fashioned map, a compass can help, and some people might even follow the sun. No matter what resource you use for guidance, you need to know where you want to go. Hope is one of the words that we think we know, but when it comes down to it we all may define it differently. On Sunday, we will define hope –- what it is and what it's not. We will give you an opportunity to consider how you define and measure hope in your own life.

The Power of One Word

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 22:30:31 GMT

What will yours be?

The New Year is upon us, and many are busy making resolutions, focusing on making this year better than the last. A number of years ago, The Garden grew weary and tired of resolutions that don’t stick and decided to do something different. We simplified and streamlined our new year goals by suggesting you find ONE WORD to guide your year. This year we will expand on the concept to the greater congregation and community. In addition to your one word, The Garden will have a word that will help us find a ministry focus in the year to come. Join us New Year's Eve at the Garden.

Christmas Eve

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:22:48 GMT

Join us Sunday as we hear, once again, the Christmas story through song and scripture. Ponder with us what hope, peace, joy, love and light mean to some of our Gardeners.

Join us Sunday for a Christmas Eve to remember.

The Wise Women of Advent: Part 4

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:40:48 GMT

What Is Her Name?

Throughout Advent we have been introduced to women whose wisdom lives throughout the ages. Women like Elizabeth, Anna, and Mary have all left their mark on history. Their stories remind us of all the women throughout history who have lived with wisdom and helped impact on the world around them. Their voices and teachings live on today. It's important that we listen. One of the women from the advent stories is not named at all. She is identified as a samaritan woman, going about her daily tasks of gathering water. She meets Jesus and their encounter reminds that the wisdom we need for living is already here and all we have to do is look for it. Her impact is as important as those women of Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, yet we do not know her name. Instead, she has become known as the woman at the well. On Sunday, we will hear her story and contemplate the stories -- told and untold -- influential yet unnamed women throughout history.

The Wise Women of Advent: Part 3

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 22:19:33 GMT

Girl, Interrupted

On Sunday, we continue our journey with the wise women of Advent. This week, we will seek wisdom from a young woman named Mary. Scripture tells us she found favor with God. Some might question whether this truly was a sign of favor as it led an unwed teen to become pregnant in unbelievable circumstances. But sometimes it's not the circumstances we find ourselves in, but instead how we handle ourselves in the midst of life. Sunday, we will consider Mary, a young woman wise beyond her years who is favored by God.

The Wise Women of Advent: Part 2

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:40:08 GMT

Wait for It: Anna, the Prophetess

We have all heard a lot about the three wise men in the story of Christmas. Too often left out are the stories of three important wise women in the Christmas story. Having learned about Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist last week, this Sunday, we will examine Anna's part in the story. Anna was deeply faithful widow of advanced years who spent day and night in prayer at the temple.

In my excitement for Christmas, I got us started with Advent a bit early last Sunday. Moving forward into Advent following that little jumpstart, we'll continue talking about the women in the story of Christmas this Sunday by focusing on Anna, who was among the first to recognize the divinity of the boy Jesus.

The Wise Women of Advent: Part 1

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:34:04 GMT

Elizabeth: Finding Her Voice

When we to think about the Christmas story, some names come to mind, like baby Jesus (of course), Mary, and Joseph. Our further thoughts might move on to shepherds, wisemen, and angels. We often overlook some very important voices in the narrative and, as is so often in history, these include those of the women. For example, Elizabeth and Anna are part of the Christmas story and some of its most important contributors. This year, we will listen to “her story” in the Advent journey. You may know some of the names and, perhaps, not others.

On the first week of Advent, we will meet Elizabeth, who found her voice when her husband lost his. We will consider how her story reminds us that we can overcome discrimination, societal expectations, and self-doubt to prepare the world for a love that will not let us go.

Getting Ready for the Wave

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 18:43:51 GMT

Walking on Water

I have never been into surfing, but recently found my interest piqued by a program called The 100 Foot Wave . It explains that catching the wave is only part of what needs to happen in surfing. Getting ready for a wave is just as -- if not more -- important. The preparation involves a combination of physical and mental stamina. One needs the equipment, of course, the knowledge of how to use it, and the environmental conditions must be just right. Finally, the surfer must find the right positioning, timing, balance and energy. Then, if they hit it just right, they can catch the wave.

We are entering into Advent, the season before Christmas. To best enjoy this season, we too, have to prepare. We prepare our hearts and minds. We need to prepare our equipment, get our team together, and then catch the wave. And even then we may experience environmental conditions and things out of our control. On Sunday, we will look at ways we can prepare to Catch the Christmas Wave of 2023.

Finding the Yes

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 13:30:00 GMT

When we find the "Yes," we step into our power

How often do we default to "No" when faced with something even just slightly outside our comfort zones? Sometimes "finding the Yes" means simply looking for the positive, the gift, the light in a situation -- especially one outside our control -- in which we've been focusing on the negative. Positive thinking is about personal empowerment, not denial. When we find the Yes, we step into our power.

On Sunday, November 12, motivational comedian Kevin Wanzer takes over The Garden service to share a message of joy, optimism, and personal empowerment. Join us in person or online for inspiration on Finding the Yes!

Loving Memory

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 17:56:53 GMT

All Saints' Day Remembrance

In observance of All Saints' Day, we pause and remember those who have gone before us. It can be a confusing day with sadness and celebration intertwined. Certainly, the sadness accompanies grappling with loss, and we need space to grieve. Yet the overall experience may include joy and hope as we remember life isn’t over but beginning again. Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the cloud of witnesses and pray for the sense of belonging together in communion and community.

Halloween Fun!

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:17:54 GMT

Music, Storytelling, and Fun

We celebrate Halloween as a secular, spook-tacular affair dominated by candy, costumes, and trick or treating. But did you know the holiday’s roots go back to an annual Celtic pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced "SAH-wane")? The Celts gathered on October 31st to celebrate Samhain, as they believed the change in season gave some prankster ghosts a doorway to come back and act out in mischievous ways, damaging fields impacting the next year’s harvest. The festival gave druids or priests the opportunity to address the ghosts and send them back. They used the occasion to remind the community that the darkness of winter would eventually be overcome by light and the cycle would begin again.

Join us this Sunday for a fun day at The Garden - music, story telling and a fun day of tricks and treats. Join the fun by dressing up and bringing a joke to share!

Peace Begins Here

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:03:52 GMT

In Our Hands, Our Hearts, Our Actions

How do we keep our focus on Peace in this conflicted world? With conflicting viewpoints and news feeds, it’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed. On Tuesday, downtown churches came together, sharing a Communal Prayer for Peace Service. My husband Andrew was one of the leaders in that service. In interviews following the service, he reminded us that we must continue to be ambassadors of Peace. So, what exactly does it mean to be a peace ambassador?

First, we must continue to pray, meditate, and focus our energy on Peace. If people from different faith traditions seek Peace, the Peace that passes our understanding is possible. I don’t know about you, but as I listen to the news and what is happening on Capitol Hill, the energy that serges and the words that come tend to be the opposite of Peace. In these cases, I must find a focus, so I have put the Prayer of St. Francis in arms reach.

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Other steps include promoting Peace and giving others The Prayer of St. Francis or a prayer of your choosing. Ask others to pray for Peace. Bring Peace in all circumstances. Commit to peaceful conversations and engagements. This will create a place for promoting and advocating for Peace in our world.

Educate yourself and find resources that promote Peace. We live in a world where we are encouraged to take sides. We must learn how to be bridges for Peace. We can do this by learning how to be peace communicators. For example, the resource of Nonviolent Communications helps develop communication-centered empathy and authenticity. Or you can become part of the Interfaith Peace Project , a group that promotes creating Peace through understanding. These are just two of many available resources. Only look, and you will find more.

Find a humanitarian peace initiative you believe in, help support, and commit to the effort. Your engagement could include peaceful protesting or campaigns that advocate change.

Finally, believe that Peace and Justice are possible for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Israel, and this world. When I lived in Northern Ireland in the 1990's, peace seemed only a dream. Today, after years of prayers, a commitment to nonviolence, and a lot of hard work, it is a reality. Believe we can be God’s instruments of Peace. That faith, hope, love, and Peace will prevail in God’s world.

Peace,

Carolyn

Baskets for Fletcher Place

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:28:11 GMT

Essential Household & Self-Care Items for Families in Need

Each fall season, we collect of donations of laundry baskets filled with household supplies for Fletcher Place, which gives them to local families in need. Public support programs do not typically provide these essential items, so your donations mean a great deal.

Please bring baskets to The Garden by Sunday, Nov. 26.

Thank you!

Walk on Water with The Garden

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:34:39 GMT

Please Help The Garden Grow into 2024

Soon, Outreach will start our annual collection of supplies in laundry baskets for Fletcher Place. As I helped deliver them last year, a woman came to me and said, “Oh, I love this time of year. That basket is one of my favorite Christmas presents. Thank you so very much!” Public assistance does not cover hygiene and laundry supplies, but through your generosity, over seventy families received these essential supplies many of us take for granted. Please know that this faith community never takes YOU for granted! It is only through your generosity, dedication, and support that we will, in grateful service, continue nurturing and growing The Garden in 2024.

When I asked us this summer to consider “wading in the water,” I had no idea what God had in store. I noted ways we must consider “getting out of the boat” in faith, and, among other considerations, I talked about The Garden’s expected shortfall at the end of this year. Then, through Kimberly Morgan’s thrilling rendition of the song “Wade in the Water,” the Spirit took our breath away. After the service, a Gardener who watched online texted me during a meeting. He said, “I want to ‘Wade in the Water’ and help The Garden with this deficit.” I shared that text with the team, and by the end of the meeting, they put together an unprecedented summertime plan to raise money with a goal of 60 donors and $30,000 in 60 days. We knew it was ambitious, but we had faith. Within a few weeks, we hit those marks, and by the end of the campaign, we surpassed them, raising 149% of our goal!

With autumn’s arrival, we have entered the season of our annual stewardship campaign, when we ask you to pledge financial support for The Garden in the coming year. Continuing the Wade in the Water campaign’s theme of miracles through faith, we have adopted “Walk on Water” as our 2024 Stewardship Campaign theme.

Through last year’s stewardship campaign plus the Wade initiative, over 90 Gardeners pledged and donated nearly $200,000 to support The Garden in 2023. As we step toward the coming year, we ask you to help us match that support and reach our goal of $200,000 in pledges for 2024. This will ensure funding for our weekly services, missions, and outreach programs, Big Give grants, music ministry, Sunday morning refreshments, audio-visual technologies, facilities... everything that allows us to continue our work serving and uplifting our community.

In the coming weeks, we will reflect on this year and consider our aspirations as we move forward. In 2023, we waded into the water. With your continuing commitment and generous pledge, we will, with faith, “Walk on Water” into 2024.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. YOU make The Garden possible!

Carolyn

2023 Highlights

You nurtured “The Garden’s Garden” to grow & donate tons of fresh produce to the Crooked Creek Food Pantry.

You helped provide, prepare, & serve hundreds of meals for the hungry in partnership with Soups’ On at Roberts Park.

You supported these local service organizations through our

Big Give Grants:

• Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding

• Visually Impaired Preschool Services

• Camptown, Inc.

• Joy’s House

You donated 70+ laundry baskets

of supplies to families through Fletcher Place

You engaged in these partnerships

with Union Chapel:

• Lift Up Pantry

• Blessing Bags

• Angel Tree

• Family Promise of Greater Indiana

Your Faith in Action Team led Gardeners to write 128 letters to state legislatures urging more support for the hungry

You supported our continued Stepping Stones children’s programming

You attended book discussion groups and a Lenten Journey program

You joined us for Euchre games

You embraced Conversations

with Carolyn

You welcomed new musical talents

Your support helped us launch multiple website enhancements and audio/visual technology improvements

You welcomed new members

You enjoyed Sunday refreshments including:

• Approx 1,900 donuts

• Over 600 bagels

...and lots of coffee!

The Grateful Flow

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:09:12 GMT

Gratitude in Practice

This Sunday, October 22, we return to our exploration of "the tools" developed and taught by psychiatrist Phil Stutz to help us bring about bold & dramatic changes in our lives & in our connection to the Source. As we focus on "the Grateful Flow" tool, we will hear stories from three people who have developed the spiritual discipline of gratitude. Come learn what effect it has had on their lives and be inspired to create your own gratitude practice.

We encourage you to watch Stutz on Netflix . If you are reading the book, The Tools by Phil Stutz & Barry Michels (not required, but we recommend it!), look at Chapter 5 for this week. Our focus on the Grateful Flow tool will continue after the service in Conversations with Carolyn. All are welcome!

"Thank You For Everything" written by Jacob Sooter / Jason Gray / Jonathan Lindley Smith. Lyrics © So Essential Tunes, All Essential Music.

Wading, Walking, Reflecting

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:51:54 GMT

Fall Stewardship Campaign Begins

The United Methodist Church requires congregations to hold an annual meeting every year. Preparing for this requires reviewing the ministry statistics, number of participants, and all such details to quantify the church’s ministry for the year. When this task comes around, it always reminds me of tax season with its list of numbers and data needing collection and organization by a specific day. And even though it happens every year, we can be tempted to procrastinate on digging in and parsing out the details. Once we have it done, though, with the reports completed and signed, we feel a sense of accomplishment. This year has been especially rewarding as The Garden waded into troubled waters with its anticipated shortfall and found as a community of faith that God was making a way to significantly reduce that burden. We saw God calling us to wade into the water and dare to walk on water. This Sunday, we will reflect on this year and its blessings and contemplate the directions toward which God may be calling us forward.

The Sum of Us

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT

A Vision of Equity and Inclusion

What might a future look like in which we lived in community where we were all one in God? We hope for such a future, yet we continue to stumble along the way, choosing deliberately or unconsciously to maintain the status quo. In her book, The Sum of Us , Heather McGhee brilliantly analyzes how we arrived where we find ourselves: too-often divided, self-destruction, materially rich but spiritually starved, and sadly unequitable. With startling empathy, McGhee's heartfelt message offers us a new vision for a future no longer perceived and built as a zero-sum game.

------------------------

In Conversations with Carolyn following this service, Gardeners Tricia Frye and Patrice Bradley will lead a discussion group about The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee.

Watch Heather McGhee's TED Talk:

Opening the Toolbox: The Reversal of Desire

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:38:27 GMT

Pain Into Possibility

Most of us habitually avoid pain. We may find temporary relief when we defer something painful, but often at a cost. When consequences don’t come until later, we can lack motivation to face pain here and now. However, this way of living often leads to regret and missed opportunities for forgiveness, acceptance, transformation, love, and unimagined possibilities.

As we come to communion this week, may we consider pain we have been avoiding or denying in our lives. By naming, claiming, and stepping through pain, we can discover surprising new beginnings. When we cease to avoid our pain, God can instill in us the courage to move beyond narrow comfort zones and get life moving again. As we continue to open our spiritual toolbox, let us pause this week to consider how, with God’s help, we can work through any pain and transform it into possibility. We look forward to seeing you Sunday for Opening the Toolbox - The Reversal of Desire.

What's In Your Toolbox?

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:21:56 GMT

Your Spiritual Toolbox

One of the first things my father gave me when I moved out of the house was a toolbox. It had some things that came in handy when I moved into my first house. Over the years I have added to the toolbox but the basics are still there, and I return to use those tools over and over again. Admittedly, I married a handy guy, so I don’t use my toolbox as much. I opened it not long ago to find that some of the tools had become rusty. Tools are like that. Left unused, they rust.

On Sunday, we are going to open up our spiritual toolbox and make sure we are using the gifts that God has given us to work our way through life. We will consider what tools are working and what might need some sharpening.

After service, we hope you will join us for Conversations with Carolyn where we will dig in a little deeper and look at some tools that can improve our spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. See you this Sunday for “What’s in Your Tool Box?”

Count Me In

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:29:47 GMT

Welcoming New Members

This weekend we welcome new members to The Garden. By joining a faith community, individuals often feel greater sense of belonging simply by saying, “Count me In.” When you do so, you find your place with other like-minded people who believe the world can be a better place through loving Jesus and each other. Joining helps you put some skin in the game and encourages you to take steps in deepening your spiritual growth and taking seriously our own roles in transforming the world with the unconditional love of God. Join us Sunday for “Count Me In.”

Come On, Everybody's Doing It

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:31:29 GMT

Positive Peer Pressure

On Sunday, September 17, we will welcome new members into the Garden Fellowship. In a world where we celebrate individualism, it's important to remember that we are better together and our differences make us stronger. Together we can inspire one another, lift each other and transform the world with the love of God. There is beauty in belonging to a tribe of people who believe the world can be a place where there is more than enough for everyone. Join us Sunday September 10 for “Come on – Everyone is doing it!”

A Labor of Love

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 20:36:20 GMT

Lessons from Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

This weekend we continue our Children's Literature series looking at Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel. Virginia Lee Burton wrote this beloved story in 1939, when the United States was still trying to find a way out of the Great Depression. On this Labor day weekend, we celebrate a story about a working class man and a steam shovel which reminds us of the "can do" spirit that lives even in a changing world.

The Little Engine that Could

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:41:22 GMT

When Our Intentions Align with Faith

This Sunday, we celebrate the completion of the midsummer Wade in the Water campaign. As we continue our contemplation of children’s literature, I cannot help but think today about the Little Engine that Could. For over 100 years, this book has provided inspiration and a reminder of the power of intention. When our intentions align with our faith, God can do amazing things through us. We know that with God all things are possible. On Sunday, we reconnect with the "can do" Spirit and celebrate God at work in this world.

Where Imagination Takes Flight

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:48:34 GMT

Our Creative Gift

Imagination is a wonderful gift from God that allows us to see beyond the ordinary and experience the extraordinary. Imagination is the source of creativity, innovation, and art. Imagination is also a way of connecting with God, who is the ultimate Creator and Artist. This Sunday, we continue our journey with children’s literature focusing on imagination through the poetry of Shel Silverstein. A man ahead of his time, Shel Silverstein was a gifted artist, author and musician. He had a gift for looking at life with the eyes of a child and reminding us we are to use our imaginations as we navigate life. In a way, Shel’s poetry evokes a sense that becoming like a curious child may help us enter into God’s presence. On Sunday, we will seek to get in touch with our child like spirits as we open our imaginations and our hearts.

Where the Wild Things Are

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:34:25 GMT

Not long ago, the creative team took some time to think about the stories that are important to us. I was surprised it wasn’t War and Peace or something by Shakespeare or even the Bible, that came to mind. Instead, the first stories that came to mind were all children’s books. Stories by Dr. Seuss and E.B. White topped the list. True, we find some of the most powerful life lessons in children’s literature. Today we begin a series on lessons we take with us from children’s literature. We'll use our imaginations and contemplate living with courage, living into the gifts we have been given, and finding our place in the world.

After service you will be invited to dig deeper and see how these lessons are also found throughout the bible.

Songs in the Key of Life

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:55:35 GMT

Songs in the Key of Life

It has been said that you can’t help but love someone once you have heard their story. As part of a faith journey, we're often challenged to accept things that trouble us and that we do not understand because we do not know the whole story. On Sunday, we will have an opportunity to hear a story of faith and look back to see how God was at work even when we didn’t know it. Join us Sunday for “Songs in the Key of Life.”

Gonna Tell You a Story

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:40:45 GMT

Join the Fun

A campfire attracts people, provides warmth, is a place where people tell their stories and often creates a sense of instant community and camaraderie.

This week, we will do service in the round - around the campfire.* We have invited folks to share in some fun campfire tales and will break up the service like a traditional camp fire. We hope you will join in the fun!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6 - 7

IRA Charitable Giving

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 18:37:02 GMT

Some Qualify to Give from an IRA

Did you know it is possible to make a gift to The Garden with an IRA distribution tax-free? We have several donors who do just that, as it’s a smart way to help satisfy their minimum distribution (RMD requirements) without paying income tax on that distribution.

There are some rules and limitations to consider. The donor needs to be at least 70 ½ years old and the donation must be made directly to a qualified charity from the IRA. The benefits include lowering one's adjusted gross income and fulfilling philanthropic goals, without taking money out one's day to day checking, savings, or credit card accounts.

Charitable giving from an IRA can be a smart and generous way of using retirement savings to make a positive impact in the world. However, it is important to consult with a tax professional and a financial planner before making any decisions, as each situation may vary.

If you qualify, we hope you consider The Garden if you elect to use your IRA distribution in this manner! To read more about the requirements, click here.

Sit Around the Campfire

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:03:35 GMT

Let's Gather

Join us on Sunday as we continue our camp theme and ponder the warmth and beauty of the campfire. There is something enchanting about the flickering flames, the crackling wood, and the cozy atmosphere of the fire in the open air. Whether you are on a beach with a roaring bonfire, in a forest with a small fire, or in your own backyard with a fire pit, sitting around a fire invites you to have meaningful conversations and connect with others. And as our friend Dr. Christopher Lynn has shown, this experience can also have positive effects on our health and wellbeing.

Don’t miss this opportunity to pull up a chair and sit around the campfire* with us this Sunday.

*We will be indoors, so we won't have a real campfire.

My Summer Playlist

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:45:21 GMT

Music Sunday!

This Sunday, The Good Earth Band takes over The Garden Sunday service for "My Summer Playlist!"

Join us for what promises to be a fun, uplifting musical experience!

Gone Camping!

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 11:06:47 GMT

Camptown

This weekend at The Garden, we head out to the great outdoors (metaphorically) and welcome our third quarter Big Give recipient, Camp Town, a program designed to get kids out into the great outdoors. Camptown's mission is to challenge, mentor, and teach youth about life through outdoor adventure and nature programs that help build confidence, character, and hope. Programs include a Natural Wonders Day Camp, Wilderness Adventures, Service Projects, Youth Leader Adventures, Spiritual Missions, plus programs for schools and for students with differing abilities. All Camptown staff are trained wilderness guides.

Also on Sunday, we will review a story from Genesis where God calls Abram out into the great outdoors to an adventure that would change his life forever. Join us Sunday for "Gone Camping!"

Wade in the Water

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:44:42 GMT

Help us narrow The Garden's budget deficit for 2023

Dear Gardener,

As Carolyn mentioned during The Garden service on Sunday, June 25 , we need to “step out of the boat” and trust in Jesus to lead us through the challenges we face in our congregation, our community, our country, and around the world. The tradition of The Garden sets us on a progressive path to make a difference wherever we can: by accepting all people; feeding the hungry through our community garden; marching to draw attention to gun violence locally and nationally; writing our representatives asking them to take action to serve those less fortunate; and supporting local organizations’ efforts to improve the lives of children and families with our Little and Big Give initiatives.

Of course, to do this takes all of us. Our prayers as well as our donations of time and treasure help make a real impact. Inspired by Carolyn’s message, The Garden Leadership Team would like to address our current budget shortfall and to “wade into the water” with our eyes fixed on Jesus with faith, not fear.

With that in our hearts and minds, we are sending out this special call-to-action, the “Wade into the Water” campaign, to raise $30,000 for The Garden in the next 60 days (July and August). We already have a few individual donations totaling $3,000, and an anonymous donor will match every additional donation of $500 or more up to a total matching donation of $5,000. We hope this will help us quickly raise the first third of our goal. However, all donations, whether large or small, will help make this campaign a success.

All you need to do is make a special donation apart from your annual pledge amount in the harvest basket on Sunday morning, noting on your check “Wade into the Water,” or donate online through this link using the specific campaign designation.

Watch Realm and your weekly bulletin for more details and to track our results!

In God’s Love,

Beth Young

The Garden Leadership Team Chair

Freedom

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:20:13 GMT

Freedom to Love, Forgive, and Serve

The freedom Jesus teaches refers not to the absence of boundaries or constraints, but rather a freedom that empowers us to transcend our own limitations and live in balance and in alignment with a higher power. He speaks of a freedom that liberates us from the destructive cycle of violence, materialism, and self-centeredness. By embracing his example and living out the principles found in his teachings, we can experience a freedom to love, forgive, and serve. May we courageously embark on this journey and become bearers of true freedom in a world yearning for its embrace.

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:38 – 42

Jump In - The Water is Fine!

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:27:41 GMT

Water is Essential to Life

Water covers as much as 3/4 of our Earth’s surface. It makes up roughly 70% of an adult’s body, and makes up about 85% of the adult brain. Water is essential to life as all living things need water to survive. In the heart of creation there is water and the Bible mentions water over 700 times. This Sunday, we will contemplate water's role in our lives and on our faith journey.

You Look Like Your Father

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:38:58 GMT

Father's Day

Fatherhood means different things to different people. In the best of circumstances, the word fatherhood brings up feelings of love, joy, gratitude, responsibility, and sacrifice. We all have different relationships with our fathers - sometimes complex and troubled, other times a source of comfort and support. Regardless, fathers -- and father-figures -- can profoundly impact who we are and how we see ourselves.

Naturally, for those with positive paternal relationships, Father's Day represents a time to celebrate and express gratitude for a father or father-figure's support and love. For other people, though, fatherhood comes with negative connotations. Many of us have troubled relationships with our fathers for any number of reasons, many of them painful. In such cases, Father's Day may evoke mixed emotions - feelings of resentment, anger, or even indifference. But fatherhood is not only biological and not even, necessarily, parental. Anyone, regardless of gender or ancestry, can be a father in spirit or practice.

At their best, fathers act as mentors, role models, and guides, helping influence our personalities, values, and beliefs. They offer us support, wisdom, and guidance in times of need, and we carry these lessons with us for the rest of our lives.

It's no secret that family is one of the things that drives us. Fatherhood shapes us, changes us, and offers us learning experiences for our whole lives. We can define "father" in many ways, and it is not exclusively about parenting. A father may provide, guide, protect, teach, nurture, inspire, serve as a role model. A father loves. And a father is -- being human -- flawed and complicated. This Sunday we will celebrate our Garden fathers and look at how we can all help in parenting our most precious resource.

Born This Way

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 22:50:44 GMT

Celebrating Pride

Who better to quote than Lady Gaga during rainbow season! This weekend marks LGBT Pride, also referred to as Gay Pride or simply “Pride,” here in Indianapolis. Major cities worldwide will celebrate some form of Pride event this month, chosen to align with the month of the Stonewall Riots in New York in 1969.

Expect to see rainbows everywhere this weekend. Across faith traditions, the rainbow symbolizes God’s promise to love us, building up rather than destroying, and promoting love rather than hatred. We will explore how we can create inclusive communities and invite others to participate in the promise of love during Sunday’s sermon.

This weekend, show your PRIDE and join us by sporting the rainbow!

Color My World

Tue, 30 May 2023 17:28:53 GMT

Rainbows

The sight of a rainbow has always captivated the human imagination. They mesmerize children and adults alike. Nearly every culture from Greco-Roman to Chinese, Hindu to Norse, and who can forget the Irish pot of gold... all have stories and myths related to rainbows.

In Jewish and Christian traditions, a rainbow is more than just a pretty sight, it is a sign of God’s presence and promise to be with us through it all. It is a promise that God will work for good for all. The arc of the rainbow connects heaven and earth. It signifies the divine relationship between God and humanity. Jewish tradition notes that the rainbow is the opposite of a bow or a weapon. It serves a sign of God’s protection. In June, we will take some time to consider how we share in God’s protective promise. We will consider how we use God’s paintbrush to color the world. The first weekend in June we will paint the world ORANGE, as we unite in wearing orange in our call to end gun violence. Together, we call for meaningful action to save lives.

Taking the Flag: The Finish Line

Sun, 21 May 2023 22:10:17 GMT

Black & White: Part 2 of 2

The Indianapolis 500 isn’t the only contest in the month of May where the racer crosses the finish line. We know it's a season of big finishes. School ends and our graduates prepare for the next step on the adventure. Teachers finish the year and pack up the classroom for summer. Many of the year-long activities from book clubs to sports leagues finish the season and take a break over the summer. This Sunday, we will take a look at what it means to finish a race and how we can celebrate in the winners' circle, then plan our next race. Join us Sunday for "Taking the Flag: The Finish Line."

The Garden's 2023 Garden Has Begun!

Sun, 21 May 2023 21:37:44 GMT

Volunteers Plant and Tend Garden for Crooked Creek Food Pantry

Each spring, dedicated volunteers from The Garden Community Church plant a vegetable garden in order to donate the produce to a local food bank. On Saturday, May 21, "Gardener" gardeners got together to plant the garden for 2023. Each week from now through the end of the summer, volunteers will tend the beds, pull weeds, water, and perform all necessary tasks to maximize yields. As the vegetables grow and finally ripen, volunteers will harvest and donate them to Crooked Creek Food Pantry .

Would you like to volunteer and help feed hungry families in our community? Click here to sign up.

The Garden's Garden is located at 6940 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Take the Flag

Mon, 15 May 2023 14:00:20 GMT

Black and White | part 1 of 2

It's racing season in Indianapolis! Fans of the 500 know the series of flags that help communicate to the drivers as they speed around the track. Together the colors lead drivers to victory. We know green means go; when you see yellow you drive with caution; and red means stop. A white flag lets drivers know they have only one more lap, and black one tells a driver to exit the track. The next two weekends at The Garden, we will consider what it takes to capture victory in the checkered flag. Join us Sunday as we seek to “Take the Flag.”

Mother's Day

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:41:30 GMT

Mothers' Love

A dear neighbor passed away recently and her son, John Boe, wrote this in tribute to her. With John's gracious permission, I share it here to help us all reflect on our love for our mothers.

– Carolyn

My lovely mother, Jane Quimby, passed away on March 29th. Those words still seem unreal to write. Her husband, Bruce Sabaini, and I stayed by her side until the end. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but she deserved our presence.

She was 77 years old, and had been vibrant and healthy until March 6th when she was diagnosed with metastatic & inoperable colon cancer. She chose to enter hospice care shortly after coming home (anyone who knew her would know that chemotherapy would have never been an option for her). We thought we would have a few good months, but unfortunately her disease progressed very rapidly. It’s still hard for me to believe that we celebrated our birthdays together (she always said I was her best birthday present ever) on February 18th and that she was bowling the week before going to the hospital.

As I have sat by her side or laid awake at night these past three weeks I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on many things:

No one will ever love you as unconditionally as your mother. No one will ever care about your accomplishments, your losses or sadness like your mother. You will never have a relationship like the one with your mother again. Cherish every moment you get. Answer the phone call, go on the lunch date, or just take a walk. Invite them to events, parties, and award ceremonies.Get off your phone and speak to them. Listen to their stories, even if you’ve heard them before. Eat the food they cook for you (if your lucky enough to have one that does this) and tell them how great it is. Don’t assume you will some day have the time with her to do all these things. Tomorrow is not promised.

Take pictures. Be in the pictures. I took so few of my mom and me over the last 20 years. When I think of all the times we were together and how few pictures I have… Be in pictures with your spouse, kids and friends too. If something happens to you tomorrow your family is not going to be looking for pictures of themselves.

My mother told me many times that she did not fear death. She was a strong Christian and was looking forward to seeing all of her friends and family again that preceded her in death. I know she found her way in to the Good Lord’s embrace yesterday.

ORDER OF SERVICE:

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Song: You Are the Sunshine of My Life Written and Recorded by Stevie Wonder

Sung today by Doran Nash

Message Part 1: Kids’ Moment - My Mother’s Chair by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

and LeaAnn Koekenberg

Candle Lighting and Universal Words of Welcome and Prayer

Christina Fidone

Song: Landslide Written by Stevie Nicks. Recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

Sung today by Julie Hackett

Message Part 2: Are You My Mother

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Message Part 3: Love You Forever

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Song: Mama, This One’s For You Written and Recorded by Beth Hart

Sung today by Whitney Carpenter

Benediction by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

Feeding the Hungry

Wed, 03 May 2023 16:17:34 GMT

Our guest this Sunday: Grace Kozak of Bread for the World

Members of the Faith in Action team at The Garden feel called to seek justice and care for the least, the last and the lost. At this Sunday's service, we will welcome our guest, Grace Kozak, State Organizer of Bread for the World in Indiana, who will share about this organization and its mission. We invite Gardeners to help make a difference in lives of hungry children by sharing in the offering of letters. We believe we are called to embrace our Creator’s vision of hope, love, and peace. We are called to embody it in public as we commit to live in solidarity with those who are made vulnerable by the inequities that drive hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.

To see the video we referred to in today's service, please visit IndyHunger.org .

Put Another Log on the Fire

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:00:23 GMT

Spring has sprung and, for many, this means moving back outdoors, setting up our fire pits and gathering around the flames to enjoy those cool spring evenings. There is just something about a good campfire that warms the heart. Maybe its the flickering light, crackling sounds, warmth and that good old campfire smell. So why, with all our modern conveniences, are we still drawn to a campfire?

According to Dr. Christopher Lynn, our guest this Sunday, it has to do with our evolution. Early humans needed campfires for survival, heat, and warding off danger. Campfires illuminated dark places, facilitated cooking, and provided a place for socialization, a place to tell stories. Dr. Lynn’s studies show that unwinding around a fire decreases blood pressure and enhances relaxation.

Fire is part of our faith story, where it most often points to the presence of God, from the burning bush to tongues of fire. This Sunday at The Garden, we'll put another log on the fire and have our own "Burning Man" gathering.

Remembering Kevin Summers

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:43:28 GMT

Kevin Summers

9/22/1959 - 4/8/2023

Kevin, you will be missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared here for the Summers family.

Are You a VIP?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:33:37 GMT

Introducing 2nd Quarter Big Give Recipient

We usually use the term "VIP" to refer to people who have some kind of elevated status, such as a celebrity, a leader, an award winner, or a guest of honor at an event. Such VIPs tend to enjoy special treatment above and beyond that which non-VIPs would expect to receive. The status indicates that in some fashion these people deserve more respect or service than everyone else. As always, perspective makes all the difference.

Jesus treated everyone with love and respect as he saw beyond surface things like wealth and status. While we often clamor to get ahead in life, even competing to do better than others, Jesus has some suggestions to help us find our way to the back of the line.

This Sunday at The Garden, we will introduce our second-quarter Big Give recipient, an organization dedicated to serving a special kind of VIP... Visually Impaired Preschoolers.

Uncomfortable

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:54:14 GMT

Celebrating Emancipation Day

We learn in our history classes that President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War in 1863. Many of us do not realize, though, that although it freed thousands of slaves, it took more than two years before news of their freedom reached those still enslaved in Texas. And did you know that the proclamation expressly did not free the slaves in the slave-owning states that had already come under Union control? While the repercussions of the injustice of slavery continue to powerfully impact the lives of black people in America today. Sadly, many among us do not acknowledge this--some with active denial. Our laws say we are equal, but the truth and reality are not so simple.

The Bible has been used to justify slavery. While it tells a story of Paul appealing to a slave owner, reminding us we are all One with God, in other stories and passages, it seems to support slavery. This Sunday, we celebrate and observe Emancipation Day, also known as Juneteenth, and pray that we may move past our fears and prejudices and work toward a world where all may truly experience freedom and justice.

Easter Sunday

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 20:35:53 GMT

As Easter is this Sunday morning, we look back through the story we’ve explored throughout Lent, from the wilderness to the mountain top, from the well at high noon to Jerusalem. Soon we arrive on Easter Sunday to find but an empty tomb! At first look, one could be disappointed. But if we really take a good look, we will find everything they need to live each day to the fullest.

Join us on Easter Sunday as we consider what resurrection mean in today's world. We consider the question, "how can we learn from the empty spaces in our lives?" Join us Sunday for “What is in there?”

Easter at The Garden

Changes to The Garden's Music Program

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:33:54 GMT

New Interim Music Director Joins The Garden

It is with sadness we announce the departure of The Garden's Music Director, Rhonda Baker. We thank Rhonda for her many years of service and wish her the best in her future endeavors. Changes are always difficult at first, but we know you will continue find the music as vibrant and inspirational as it has always been at The Garden.

Please help us welcome our Interim Music Director, Doran Nash. Doran graduated from Bellarmine University with a dual degree in Jazz studies and vocal & piano pedagogy. Currently, Doran is a freelance musician, the keyboardist for the LivingProof band, and is also a private keyboard and voice teacher at Guitarworks. In his spare time, Doran enjoys reading, playing guitar and bass, and making improvements to his newly-purchased home. Please join us on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to extend a warm welcome to Doran Nash!

Good Friday at The Garden

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:15:05 GMT

Good Friday at The Garden

We hope you will join us this year for The Garden's annual Good Friday service. At 7 p.m. on April 7 in the Great Room of Union Chapel, we will revisit the tale of Jesus' crucifixion through storytelling and songs performed by The Good Earth Band.

This year, the songs will include:

Be Still, If I Could Turn Back Time, Wash My Hands of You, Make You Feel My Love and Let it Be.

Be Still written by Joseph King / Isaac Slade / David Welsh / Ben Wysocki

Let it Be written by Lennon, John Winston / Paul McCartney

If I Could Turn Back Time written by Diane Eve Warren

Make You Feel My Love written by Boaz Jong De / Walterus Marcel Schimscheimer / Ricardo M Burgrust

Wash My Hands of You by The Jackie Boyz.

20 Minutes of Prayer with Carolyn

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:01:40 GMT

Palm Sunday

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:55:22 GMT

Walking the Red Carpet

As we continue our The Colors of Lent series this week, when we come to Palm Sunday and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, it just so happens the color for this week's theme is red. Ironically, this falls just a couple of weeks after the stars hit the red carpet for the Oscars. It all has me thinking about how Jesus might enter the city and what the scene might look like today. Would Jesus jump out of a limo and come down a red carpet? Would he stop and engage with the media? Would he be the guy everyone wanted to talk to? I do believe with the right agent Jesus could have made quite a splash today. But that is not the way it is. What we get in the story of Palm Sunday today is Jesus riding a donkey and being honored by people who have no power but something much stronger… They have HOPE.

Join us Sunday for the Colors of Lent where we take a walk down the Palm Sunday red carpet.

The Colors of Lent: Purple

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:01:29 GMT

Remembering Linda

As we continue with the Colors of Lent, our theme this weekend deals with grief and loss. How fitting this theme falls at a time when we come to terms with and grieve the loss of our beloved founder Rev. Dr. Linda McCoy. Often when we lose someone we love, we find ourselves asking, "Why do bad things happen? Why doesn’t God intervene?" In this week's text, we witness a sister asking those questions as she confronts asks Jesus, "Where were you and why did my brother die?" This week, we will reflect on the importance of asking questions through pain and loss, even in the absence of the answers we may wish for.

Songs covered by The Good Earth Band in this service:

You Can't Always Get What You Want / I Shall Be - sung today by Deb Mullins

Written by Written by Keith Richards, Mick Jagger & Bob Dylan

Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Life Ain't Always Beautiful - sung today by Michael Read

Written by Tommy Lee James & Cyndi Thomson

Lyrics © Sony/atv Cross Keys Publishing, Still Working For The Man Music Inc., Ballad Boy Music, Still Working For The Man Music, Inc

Angel from Montgomery - sung today by Jeannie Mahue

Written by John Prine

View the Bulletin

20 Minutes of Prayer with Carolyn - March 21, 2023

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:59:31 GMT

Remembering Linda McCoy

20 Minutes of Prayer with Carolyn - March 14, 2023

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:36:57 GMT

The Color of Light

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:42:24 GMT

The Colors of Lent: Yellow

Perhaps you have seen some of these modern day medical miracles, such as children hearing for the first time or a teen seeing herself for the very first time after receiving a cornea transplant. We witness many of these amazing moments because someone is near by with a smart phone and thinks to capture the magic moment. This Sunday, we read about a miracle. As we will have only the written word, we must use our imaginations to paint the picture of what happened. We will look at how Jesus brought sight to a blind man and light to the world. Join us for The Color of Light.

0:00 SONG: The Sun Will Rise sung today by Rachael Whitlock

3:23 Welcome and announcements

5:02 Stepping Stones with Lea Ann Koekenberg

8:00 The Garden's First Quarter Big Give Recipient

13:25 SONG: Do Unto Other s sung today by Rhonda Baker, Michael Read, Dave Bradley, and Rachael Whitlock

16:29 Introduction to today's message and theme

20:35 Prayer

23:04 SONG: Light a Candle sung today by Michael Read

26:18 MESSAGE: The Color of Light by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

47:00 SONG: The Sound of Sunshine sung today by Dave Bradley

50:53 Benediction

I Need a Drink

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:21:25 GMT

The message begins on the video at the 15:07 mark.

From the Wilderness to the Mountaintop

In the first two weeks of Lent, we have gone from the wilderness to the mountaintop. With all this wandering, we heightened our awareness of our basic needs: food, shelter, and water. We contemplated Jesus finding his way through the temptation that comes with hunger, anger, loneliness, and literal and metaphorical thirst. We ascended the mountain, put our heads in the clouds, and come down with a new perspective.

In the story we explore in this service, we witness someone thirsting for more. We never learn her name, though through her story we relate to her pain, isolation, and loneliness. She doesn’t like her circumstances and knows there is more to life than the daily grind of going to the well for water in the heat of the day and listening to others whisper behind her back. By chance, she encounters Jesus, who offers her a new perspective on life. She needs only to drink the water he is offering. In this water, he promises to quench her thirst with a promise of love and grace. And it is a water we can have to this day. I don’t know about you, but I Need a Drink - of this water!

20 Minutes of Prayer with Carolyn - March 7, 2023

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:17:24 GMT

20 Minutes of Prayer with Carolyn - March 7, 2023

A Tint of Transformation

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 22:34:26 GMT

0:00 Opening

1:10 SONG: Wandering Spirit sung by Rhonda Baker

4:40 Welcome and Announcements

11:40 Stepping Stones

14:30 Intro to service, centering, prayer

19:25 SONG: Love Now sung by Kimberly Morgan

22:00 MESSAGE: " A Tint of Transformation" by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

50:18 SONG: I Can Change sung by Caroline Smith

53:28 Benediction

SONG: Love Now sung by Kimberly Morgan. Written Davy Nathan & Marieme.

SONG: I Can Change sung by Carolyn Smith. Written by James Murphy / Patrick Mahoney. Lyrics © Guy With Head and Arms Music, Les Souvenir.

Change Can Be Scary

On the second Sunday of Lent, we leave the wilderness and follow Jesus to the mountain top for a challenging experience. Here we witness a miraculous change in Jesus and with that change we see what happens with the unexpected. We watch the disciples experience a mix of emotions - fear excitement, wonder, confusion.

Have you ever witnessed someone go through a transformation? What kind of change was it? A good change? A concerning change? How did you respond?

Join us this Sunday as we follow Jesus up the mountain top where he is transformed and reminds us we too can be transformed by the Spirit and love of God.

Tuesday 2-28-23 Prayer with Carolyn

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 19:57:29 GMT

Tuesdays 20-min of Prayer for Lent

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:05:22 GMT

The Lenten season for 2023 has begun and runs through Easter Sunday, April 9. In addition to The Colors of Lent program , you can find Carolyn sharing 20 minutes of prayer on Facebook each Tuesday at 2 p.m. (we will share those videos here, too).

Sunday services throughout lent will draw inspiration from the Henri Matisse-inspired Lenten devotional program. Services are at 9 a.m. each Sunday at Union Chapel Indy, and you can stream online right on the home page of our website.

We hope you will take the journey with us!

Join Carolyn for 20 Minutes of Prayer

Live on Facebook during Lent.

Finding Our Way in the Wilderness

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:00:02 GMT

Our Lenten Journey Begins

This year during Lent, we will explore the art work of Henri Matisse, using it as a guide for the season. This is the a time of year when we follow the final chapter of Jesus’ earthly journey through the wilderness to resurrection. During the 40 days of Lent, we, too, are invited by the Spirit to look deeper within and listen. This week, we head into the “wilderness,” a place where we can clear our heads, challenge ourselves, and reflect on how we want to continue to grow.

This service features The Good Earth Band covering:

True Colors , sung today by Julie Hackett. Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper. True Colors lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.

Desperado , sung today by Rhonda Baker, Michael Read and Julie Hackett. Written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Copyright Asylum Records. Cass Country Music/Red Cloud Music, LLC.

Can't Find My Way Home , sung today by Michael Read. Written by Steve Winwood. Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

0:00 Opening and SONG: True Colors sung by Julie Hackett

3:53 Welcome and Announcements

10:30 Stepping Stones with Lea Ann Koekenberg

12:08 Centering and Prayer

17:49 SONG: Desperado sung by Rhonda Baker

21:50 Message: "Finding Our Way in the Wilderness"

50:38 SONG: Can't Find My Way Home sung by Michael Read

53:40 Benediction

Justice for All

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:19:41 GMT

What is Your Role?

Powerful verses about social justice appear in the Old Testament, and justice for all became foundational to the Christian faith.

In Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, author N.T. Wright says that our longing for justice "comes with the kit of being human." Unfortunately, though we strive for justice, we often fail to achieve it. Wright further states, “There is such a thing as putting something to rights, as in fixing it, as getting it back on track. You can fix a broken leg, a broken toy, a broken television. So why can't we fix injustice? It isn't for lack of trying."

In spite of failures to fix injustice, we keep dreaming that one day all broken things will be set right. Wright contends that we hear a voice within us calling us to live with a dream for justice. Christians, he says, "believe that in Jesus, that voice became human and did what had to be done to bring it about."

What role can each of us play to help bring about justice?

Healthy Competition

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:12:33 GMT

Looking at competition in our culture

Super Bowl Sunday... down to the last two teams who will battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy!

As we look forward to the big game, we say “may the best team win!” We have woven competition into our culture at many levels. On Sunday, we will consider biblical references to competition and ask, “How can it bring us closer together or tear us apart?”

Our service this Sunday will feature The Good Earth band performing Waiting all Day for Sunday Night by Jett and Underwood (recorded by Carrie Underwood), Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty, and I'm Winning, written by Ballard and recorded by Santana.

Click here to skip right to the message at 26:57.

Watch this inspiring Tedx Talk about competition.

Why? A Big Question.

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:05:28 GMT

A Big Question

Why?

The Garden's Sunday service on February 5, 2023

Curiosity drives us to ask the why questions (and How, Who, When, Where, and What –– but let's just focus on the Why for a moment). Why are we here? Why do we care? Why do bad things happen? Why do they ––or I –– act that way?

This service features The Good Earth band performing Counting Blue Cars by Dishwalla, More to this Life by Steven Curtis Chapman, and Peter Frampton's Show Me the Way.

Did Curiosity Really Kill the Cat?

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 17:51:18 GMT

Curiosity and Faith

We are all familiar with the saying that warns, “curiosity killed the cat.” However, stifling curiosity and the desire to learn and explore is a poor way to go through life. Most of humanity’s great discoveries result from a healthy, even courageous curiosity. Curiosity was key to the successes of great influencers throughout history (long before the term “influencer” entered popular vocabulary), including people like Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs. The Bible suggests that curiosity, the desire to learn and acquire greater wisdom, to gain insight and understanding, should be part of life. In this Garden service (1/29/2023), we consider how curiosity can lead us into a deeper and more meaningful faith.

The Good Earth Band performs covers of Changes by David Bowie, Curious by Holly Brook, and Amy Grant's Curious Thing .

This theme was inspired by this Tedx Talk by comedian Drew Lynch. This video contains brief language that some may find offensive.

Star Words Revisited

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:16:53 GMT

Do you have a star word?

In this service at The Garden, we continue our exploration of the power and potential of "star words" as a means for the divine to offer us guidance. ( Visit here to get your own randomly-selected Star Word .)

Whether selected at random or chosen intentionally, a "star word" represents a theme to inspire spiritual connection, renewal, and growth. We invite you to place your star word prominently wherever you know you will see it often. Throughout this year, may your star word serve as a guide, a reminder, and a focal point for reflecting on the many ways God moves through, within, and around you in your life. goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

What is Discernment?

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:03:45 GMT

Discerning Minds Want to Know

Generally, "discernment" refers to one's ability to make sound judgments. But according to Oxford Languages Dictionary discernment can, in Christian contexts, emphasize "perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding" (emphasis mine). As we try to reconcile these two contradictory meanings of the same word, we might ponder the differences between perception and discernment, how one serves the other, and the limitations of both.

We know very well -- but often forget or choose to deny -- that our perceptions are limited and often flawed. Still, we make judgments based on those perceptions. Perhaps the two disparate meanings serve to highlight the importance of careful, conscious, evaluation of what we see (or think we see), what is important, and how we respond to life as it unfolds.

So, is discernment about judgment or perception? Well, why not both? Maybe discernment means recognizing the importance of making judgments with humility and care, knowing that we base them on our own perceptions.

In this service, Carolyn concludes our Star Words series with some reflections on her star word, Discernment.

Star Words

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:30:00 GMT

Star Words to Guide Us Into 2023

Each new year brims with opportunities for fresh starts, new beginnings, and renewals. As we begin 2023, many of us will compose a list of behaviors we will resolve to improve upon in the year to come, such as losing weight, exercising more, taking up a new hobby, eating more vegetables, or finishing a project. Some resolutions may come from superficial concerns -- to look better, to earn more, to achieve recognition -- but what if our fresh start began from a spiritual place, one of curiosity, wonder, hope, and surrender? What if we based our plan for looking ahead and making changes on something beyond our limited vision of the future?

In this service we present the first of three "Star Words" themed services to introduce a prayer practice for the new year and Epiphany. Just as the wise men followed a guiding star to encounter the newborn Jesus, we can let Star Words help us navigate into the new year and beyond.

The Star Words we will share represent a list of guiding words to inspire spiritual connection and support for our intentions for renewal and growth. We will have these words printed individually on beautiful cards so you may take one or more with you to place prominently in your home, car, office --wherever you know you will see it often. Throughout this year, may these words serve as a guide, a reminder, and focal point for reflecting on the many ways God moves through, within, and around you in your life.

Will you be part of the Star Words journey? Join us.

Happy New Year! 2023

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 15:17:05 GMT

2023 New Year's Day Service

This service features photos from The Garden taken throughout 2022 and three songs written and performed by Michael Read: Magic Moments , Looking for a Reason , and Beauty in Humilty .

The Never-Ending Story

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:45:00 GMT

All Saints' Day Celebration 2022

A couple of weeks ago, we welcomed Montez Day as our guest on Sunday morning. He shared his inspiring life story with us, and we were reminded you can’t help but love someone once you have heard their story. In the lead up to our All Saints' Day service on November 6, we consider that even after we die, our story lives on through the love we have shared.

In observance of All Saints' Day, let's pause and remember those who have gone before us. It can be a confusing day with sadness and celebration intertwined. Certainly, sadness comes with our grappling with loss. We need space to grieve. Yet, the overall experience may also be infused with joy and hope as we remember that life isn’t over but beginning again. This Sunday, November 6, we celebrate the cloud of witnesses and turn out attention toward belonging together in communion and community.

On the Quest for Peace

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:09:52 GMT

The Garden Welcomes Guest Montez Day

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 17:34:40 GMT

Montez Day, Our Guest Oct 23

On Sunday, October 23, The Garden welcomes Montez Day, who will share some of his story and his passion for service.

Montez was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles and was involved in criminal activities from the age of 14 years. He was in and out of prison from the age of 18 years old. At the age of 28 (January 1999), Montez made the biggest mistake of his life and committed a crime that landed him back in federal prison for 24 years. While in prison Montez worked on his own post-rehabilitation. Montez worked in the education department teaching other inmates how to read and other subjects like Psychology and Black History. He also gained a college degree from Indiana State University while incarcerated. After serving 20 years and 6 months in prison, he was released in July 2019. He re-entered society with a drive and passion to help others. This new example that he is becoming he believes can be a model for young men and women who grow up in poverty, violence, criminal activities, and negative thinking patterns. Montez is filled with optimism and continues to contribute to the community. During the last 15 years of his life, he has been goal-orientated. Montez shares what he has learned over the years with others who are reentering society and struggling to stay out of the justice system, overcoming homelessness, and working towards a better future for their families. He is not afraid of challenges, or work. Montez worked two jobs upon release from prison. He worked with Youth, at Youth Advocate Programs helping and advocating for teenagers on probation. He also worked as a Mentor Match Manager for Trusted Mentors by training volunteers and connecting people struggling with homelessness with Trained Mentors. Montez also shares his story about his life before, during, and after incarceration through Storytellers Arts of Indiana and continues to encourage others to get involved in reentry as he works now for Goodwill as a Reentry Program Facilitator. He teaches men and women soft skills while providing employment through Goodwill and wrap-around services to assist those who have been touched by the justice system. Montez is poised to do even more in the community to help women and men who are faced with the trials of having a conviction and trying to reenter society. He is a Motivational speaker and reentry advocate who works in the community with others who have a desire to help those who are following the same path that he once traveled.

Action and Impact - Cause and Effect

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:01:05 GMT

At this week's service, we will explore Action and Impact. We have different names for this universal truth: karma, reaping and sowing, cause and effect, the law of attraction, and so on. How can our desires with intentionality, character, and perseverance improve our quality of life?

Here are a few videos on this theme we hope you'll enjoy.

What is Prayer to You?

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 20:50:31 GMT

Contemplating Prayer

I am not especially chatty and not great at small talk. When I don't have anything to say, I am not in the habit of trying to fill the silence with a conversation about the weather. The closer I am to a person, the more comfortable I am with silence (just ask my husband). Sometimes it feels good just being present with someone without agenda, with no need to say anything. My dogs never talk, but having them near gives great comfort and sometimes intense joy. They don't need to say or do a thing.

I was more talkative when I was younger, so much so that if I was alone (or even among others), I constantly spoke to God. Every thought in my head was a prayer, an ongoing conversation I trusted was heard. I believed God was always listening, for how could an omnipotent One not be? It comforted me, and no thought was too trivial to offer up through prayer. I was just as likely to think, "Dear God, I'm going to get a glass of water" as I was to ask for help or healing.

As I grew into adolescence, that kind of connection disappeared. I still prayed, but no longer did I purposely direct all thinking to God. As many of us do, I would pray when I wanted or felt I needed something, or I'd pray for someone else. It made me feel I was not alone and felt like I was doing something meaningful.

Now in my fifties, I meditate daily, and I have come to know how similar it is to prayer. It is not the same, but it serves a similar purpose. It is an intentional connection. My son asked me once about meditation. Sometimes it is hard to explain, and not just because there are so many ways to do it––much like prayer. To my son, I offered this:

Prayer is when we speak to God.

Meditation is when we simply sit quietly with God.

In a sense, then, I still pray every day, only I do so silently. Just being is enough. I expect God agrees.

What is prayer for you?

Peacemaker's Path Book Study

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 22:22:58 GMT

Book study with author Jerry Zehr

THIS EVENT OCCURRED IN 2022. THE ZOOM VIDEOS ARE ARCHIVED HERE.

Sundays, Sept 11 - October 16

Following the 9 a.m. service at The Garden

Jerry Zehr, author of The Peacemaker's Path , will lead a Sunday morning book study group from September 11 through October 16. Join us in person or only to explore the commonality of faith traditions and learn how these can help us undo polarization and create a greater sense of community where we honor differences. Zehr brings together wisdom from many of the world’s major religious traditions to help us see we have much more in common than what divides us. In preparation for the book study, Zehr will be guest speaker at The Garden on August 28 and September 4.

The book study group is free of charge. Drop-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged. For those interested, autographed copies of Zehr's book will be available at the church for the reduced price of $15.

The Garden Welcomes Indianapolis Folk Musician Rich Hynes

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 23:57:24 GMT

Indianapolis Folk Musician Rich Hynes

There is More to See

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 20:39:49 GMT

What Else Would We See if We Chose to Look?

I lost a dear friend in late 2017 to ovarian cancer. She was vibrant, inspiring, kind, and extraordinarily beloved. She helped people discover their creativity, believe in themselves, and see themselves as artists. We who knew her still feel the void of her absence. And yet the loss of her also brought with it unexpected grace. When we gathered to celebrate her life, tell stories of our time with her, laugh, and cherish our memories of her, we looked deep into our grief and found our Love staring back at us. We saw this Love because we did not look away from the pain of our loss but leaned into it with eyes and hearts wide open. As a result, we experienced not only our grief but magnificent gratitude as well.

When we see something displeasing -- however we may define it -- and commit to our own judgment of what we would rather not accept, we attach ourselves to a limited perspective. We can only see what we wish to reject from this limited place, no matter what else may be present. However, our perspectives need not be fixed, and we can look again. Maybe some ugliness will always remain, but that is rarely all there is. As the Dalai Lama has said, "Attachment constrains our vision so that we are not able to see things from a wider perspective." How might we see things if we seek different perspectives whenever life challenges us?

There is a story of van Gogh buying a pair of shoes in a flea market and wearing them through the mud of Parisian streets for some time. He would later paint them –– dirt, scuffs, and all. Van Gogh sought -- and found -- the presence of beauty in places and things we often consider mundane or even ugly.

Symbols Enchanting van Gogh

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:04:25 GMT

IMA Docent, Joanne Jones , to Share Insights on van Gogh with Gardeners

Art scholars say that van Gogh painted olive groves to represent Christ and sunflowers as symbols of the pious soul who, like the flower, follows God’s blinding light. His sheaves of wheat crumbling into the earth to regenerate life represent the timeless cycle of death and rebirth. In one 1888 letter to his close artist friend, Emile Bernard, van Gogh confessed “a longing for the Infinite, of which the sower and the sheaf are the symbols still enchanting me.”

Van Gogh had an affinity with farmers. We find people working in the fields throughout his work. In one famous piece entitled “The Sower”, we find the sun making a halo effect around the man sowing the seed. This may suggest van Gogh saw the farmer as a saint. In today's world, we look for the saints among us. Who are the everyday saints in your life? And how do you recognize them?

Join us for an engaging conversation on The Lume with IMA Docent Joanne Jones on March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at 2720 East 86th Street, Indianapolis.

Our Purpose, Our Privilege, Our Joy

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 16:56:29 GMT

Global church attendance has dropped dramatically over the past few years. The pandemic had a considerable impact, of course. Still, when congregations returned to in-person services, many people did not return. Some surveys suggest attendance throughout the U.S. has dropped by up to 60%. Like most churches, The Garden has seen declining engagement, and we are open to ways to reverse that trend.

This month, we have several opportunities for engagement beyond regular Sunday Services. For the Lenten season, which began March 2, we have partnered with Union Chapel to offer Lenten devotional programs ( Beauty of Lent and Ignite ) you can participate in from home; a fun evening of painting inspired by the works of Van Gogh; a movie night ; a stimulating conversation with a docent from The Lume; and a moving Good Friday performance featuring contemporary music (performed live by The Good Earth Band and Garden vocalists) from artists like Sting, Simple Minds, and Linkin Park. In addition, we've begun the final phase of our grant-funded Engaging Young Adults (EYA) program: The Generation Project: Call Me By My Name . We're meeting Monday evenings through March 28 for stimulating conversations on a range of challenging topics. Local playwright Paige Scott will write a new play inspired by these conversations that we will stage for public presentation at the end of April.

The Garden continues to seek ways to build and engage a community of faith outside the norms of traditional church programming, emphasizing inclusion, open-mindedness, creativity, and hope. As a reconciling ministry, we seek to bring loving change from within the UMC and expand our faith community to reach new demographics. "Many Paths, One Purpose" means we honor everyone exactly where they are. We don't seek to change you, and we don't need you to change your theology. While The Garden's foundation is Christian, we celebrate how God speaks to us not only through Christianity but also through other faiths and even through those who do not identify as religious. We're committed to serving YOU. It is our purpose, our privilege, and our joy.

Lenten Reflection #2 with Carolyn

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 17:50:32 GMT

Lenten Message #2

Rev. Dr. Carolyn-Scanlan Holmes presents reflections on Lent each Tuesday during the Lenten season.

We're All In

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:34:14 GMT

Meet the GLT this Sunday

Recently, The Garden Leadership Team (GLT) and some Gardeners gathered for a retreat to look back at a strategic plan from 2019 and to contemplate our future. We considered the wisdom of past leadership and invited new voices to the conversation. This Sunday, March 13, we will introduce members of the GLT and explore what it will take to step boldly into the future. We’re all in. Join us.

Are You a "Recovering Christian"? You're Not Alone.

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:52:31 GMT

I grew up Catholic, and I remember how deeply devout I was as a child. Then something happened. The love and comfort I felt in the belief that I was inseparably connected to God turned into something else: fear, shame, and self-loathing. I had come to recognize that I could never be the person the church told me I must be.

I was taught that I would be damned to eternal punishment for something over which I had no control. I was told that I should have control, that actually I did, and that my inability to change was a personal and willful failure, a rejection of God’s will. No amount of prayer and willing myself to be straight made a difference. I hated myself for it, and I was told that this, too, was a sin. I despaired for years. I still haven’t shaken that feeling completely.

Even before I knew I was gay, I felt a growing sense of unease around the church. There was much love in evidence. However, the love was inherently conditional on obedience to rules from the Bible, an ancient and self-contradicting text revered by my elders as the literal word of God, its stories taught as historical fact. I wanted to believe. I could not. And at the same time, I could not stop believing.

Then there were the preachers I heard regularly. My father was not Catholic, but he identified as a “God-fearing” man. He tuned the radio to ranting, angry-sounding sermons of men like Vernon McGee, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jerry Fallwell. They all told me I was garbage, without hope of redemption unless I could resist or expunge my homosexuality. I heard them so often that to this day, I cringe viscerally at the sound of evangelical preaching—even the non-judgmental, inclusive kind.

That I am active with The Garden attests to its genuine, loving inclusivity. I feel accepted, yes; welcomed, absolutely; valued, without question. I trust the leadership, integrity, and intent of The Garden. But I don’t feel at home. The wound is too deep.

Do you relate to any of this? Do my thoughts resonate with you? Do they make you feel like defending the church? To what degree do you feel at home when you find yourself in a faith community, whether weekly by choice or occasionally at a funeral or wedding?

We’re talking about the church — and a lot more* — Monday evenings through March 28 in The Generation Project: Call Me By My Name. This group is decidedly not about evangelism. You’re encouraged to come in person, but you can join us on Zoom , too. Come share your story. Ask questions and share your feelings in a supportive forum. We do not seek to convert you. But we would love to hear you.

*Topics include but may not be limited to pronoun preferences, gender roles and identity, church hurt, and the role a faith community might serve for those who have been (or continue to feel) not-at-home in church.

The Color Palette of Your Life

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 17:37:11 GMT

Do You Know the Colors of Your Life?

Which colors do you love? Which do you avoid? From “Sunflowers,” which, for Van Gogh, symbolized gratitude, to a lithograph he entitled “Worn Out.” Through his artwork, Van Gogh expressed his love for God and challenges with life. Where do you sense the spirit in your life? How would you express your faith in color and art? Sunday, March 6, we will start our Lenten journey by looking at the artwork of Vincent van Gogh and considering how he used art as an expression of his faith.

Lenten Reflection #1 with Carolyn

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:36:28 GMT

Rev. Dr. Carolyn-Scanlan Holmes presents reflections on Lent each Tuesday during the Lenten season.

The Generation Project Begins

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 18:14:06 GMT

The Generation Project: Call Me By My Nam e
a compassionate forum for growth and understandin g

A gardener recently confessed, “I hope this whole pronoun thing is just a fad because I just don’t get it.” That gardener’s close friend proceeded to read her the riot act. She was grateful for this because she wanted to understand and was willing to confront the discomfort of her ignorance.

Have you ever been asked about your pronoun preferences? Ever asked someone about theirs? Why are pronoun preferences important? Do you have questions? Do you have a story to share? Would you like to hear others' stories and enhance your understanding?

The significance of pronouns represents just one of the topics we will dive into with playwright Paige Scott. We’ll engage in respectfully frank conversations about racial prejudice, gender identity, sexual orientation, church hurt, and the potential roles of a faith community in the lives of young adults. We will seek to broaden our understanding and compassion while providing inspiration for a new play to be staged for public performance in late April.

Bring your stories, an open mind and a friend.
Receive a welcoming audience, new insights, and a community.
Generate direction for a new work of theatre to be developed by a local playwright for production this Spring!

WHY: Understanding promotes inclusion, equality, respect and community. Growth is sometimes uncomfortable. Safe places are required for expression, honesty and connection. Intentional facilitation helps create outcomes.

WHAT: A place and time to share, ask, listen, express, laugh, and learn while engaging in respectfully frank conversation on challenging topics.

WHO: You! Everyone who is open to expanding their and capacity to support others and who understands that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. Everyone who wants to be an ally to queer people of all ages.

WHEN: Mondays at 7 pm, February 28 to March 28.

WHERE: 2720 E 86th Street, Indianapolis in the Unity Chapel building and on Zoom .

Join us Monday, February 28 at 6 pm at 2720 E 86th Street, Indianapolis (Union Chapel building). No need to RSVP, but if you have questions please email info@thegardenonline.org.

Visit the project page here for additional information.

Van Gogh and the Beauty of Lent

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:51:53 GMT

A Lenten Devotional

This Lenten season, The Garden invites you to take part in a devotional program with paintings and letters of Vincent van Gogh as our guides. Each week, biblical passages and pieces of Van Gogh’s work throw light on each other, pointing toward simple, powerful practices you can try yourself, with your family or friends, or with your faith community. Week by week, we’ll travel this Lenten journey together toward Easter morning – and thereby do our part to help lengthen the light, humble our hearts, and open our eyes to the beauty and grace of springtime rebirth. We will also host a movie night and a trip to The Lume .

Click here to access weekly videos, download the guide, and get the latest details.

Haven on Earth

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:37:09 GMT

2022 First-Quarter Garden Gives Grant Recipient

The first recipient of the Garden's Big Give in 2022 is Trinity Haven, Indiana’s first residential facility and host homes program to focus on the needs of LGBTQ young people at risk for homelessness. The organization provides safe, affirming housing for LGBTQ youth experiencing housing instability. They envision a future in which every LGBTQ youth in Indiana has safe, welcoming, and affirming housing within a caring community. Sunday, February 27, The Garden welcomes Jenni White, Executive Director of Trinity Haven. Its time to have a Haven on Earth where everyone is loved and finds God’s dwelling place (place of welcome) and its possible because God will through and with us to create Haven on Earth!

The Garden Welcomes Guest Taylor Hall

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 17:48:56 GMT

Taylor Hall is an Artivist, which is a political activist who expresses her values through interpretive artistic craft. Taylor was one of the key organizers that organized the largest protest in 30 years in Indianapolis; with over 10,000 people at the State Capitol in June. She released her debut song “I Can’t Breathe” in July after performing it at the State Capitol. Hall organized over twenty protests in the summer of 2020 and assisted in registering thousands of voters. She was named a “2020 Hero of the Pandemic” by Indy Monthly, received the 2021 Community Member Award from Wayne Township, and was a recipient of the 2021 Trailblazer Award from the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative. She is the founder of Artivist LLC, a youth-based company inspiring activism through art. Artivist LLC’s goal is to help youth develop coping strategies through art, music, poetry, dance, and any form of artistic expression. The five pillars of Artivist LLC are: Art, Activism, Diversity & Inclusion, Education, and Mentorship.

After introducing herself to the world through her insightfully powerful debut single, I Can’t Breathe, in 2020 and building momentum throughout the following year in with the release of "Unfolding" & "Streetlights" , songwriter and recording artist Taylor Hall has secured her spot on playlists and charts throughout the world. Her sensationally sincere vibes and thought-provoking material reach far beyond the realm of typical Pop. Visit her website at TheTaylorHall.com

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EYA Grant to Fund New Theatre Piece

matthew@thegardenonline.org (Matthew Vire) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 17:21:56 GMT

EYA Grant Update:

The Garden will invest remaining funds from the Engaging Young Adults (EYA) grant in a collaborative creative project culminating in the performance of a new piece of theatre in late April. Participants will gather several times in March for conversations, story-sharing, and games. We will consider and discuss how a faith community can impact young adult lives and explore issues of prejudice, gender identity, gender roles, the significance of pronoun preferences, and sexual orientation among others. The ideas, stories, and interactions in these activities will provide content and inspiration for a new play to be written by local playwright, Paige Scott. Then in April, it will be staged for a public performance. Adults of all ages are invited to take part in the experience and process. No theatre experience is required and not all who participate will be in the performance. For more information, email matthew@thegardenonline.org.

Where Are We Now?

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 17:17:44 GMT

In the summer of 2020, The Garden joined people from across the country to take a look at racism in our communities, churches and nation. We invited guests to help us further explore what it takes to “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” We shared in book-studies, conversations with activists, and explored how we as a community could further our commitment to being open and inclusive to all people. On Sunday, February 20, we welcome Taylor Hall, a community activist and artist who shared in those services.

A Message from Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes following the FedEx Shootings

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:37:29 GMT

Dear Friends,

In the Sikh tradition, salvation is obtained by loving your neighbor and God.

Guru Arjun Dev Ji said that minds are like precious jewels that shine in loving God and others. If you love God, then you will not hurt anyone but will love as God loves.

The Garden joins Indianapolis and people throughout the world in mourning the loss of nine souls to yet another act of violence. We have also become aware that half of those victims were from the Shikh community.

As we just finished two weeks of exploring the practice of the Golden rule in different faith traditions, we are keenly aware doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is practiced not only in life but also in death.

So in this time, we join loved ones as they mourn the loss of Matthew R. Alexander, 32; Samaria Blackwell, 19; Amajeet Johal, 66; Jaswinder Kaur, 64; Jaswinder Singh, 68; Amajit Sekhon, 48; Karli Smith, 19; and John Weisert, 74.

A Sikh hymn often sung at funerals says, “Like droplets of water are in an ocean wave and the ripples of a stream, I am immersed in the Lord.” May all those who mourn on this day be immersed in the love of and comfort of the Lord.

As in the Christian tradition, in Sikhism, death is not the end. When somebody dies, the soul transitions; the soul and energy transcend and traverse into the universe to help influence other events. Like Christians, Sikhs believe love never dies, and the spirit lives on as well.

The purpose of this statement is simply to join together and mourn. Yes, we must continue to wrestle with matters of preventable violence in our nation. But the time now is to come together in our grief and mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters. To seek a peace that passes all understanding and find a way forward together.

Peace,

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes
Lead Pastor, The Garden Community Church

Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Community Assessment Report

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 15:32:13 GMT

Getting Comfortab le with Being Uncomfortable

The Garden stepped further into our core value of inclusion in the summer of 2020 with a focus on race matters. We named the effort “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable “ and invited guests to help Garden be a truly inclusive community not only in the conversation but engage in matters of race through meaningful worship, conversation, book studies and surveys. This is an ongoing commitment and we encourage Gardeners to be part of our inclusive future.

Participants of this series completed an online survey .

See the Community Assessment Report here .