Star Words

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 3, 2023

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.

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

By Betty Brandt • January 29, 2026
Reflections on a community celebration honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with powerful storytelling, music, and recognition of local justice work, hosted by northside Indianapolis Shalom Zone churches.

Go Nowhere With Me

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

Hello, Sun in My Face

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

Been There, Done That

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

Stop, Drop, Enroll

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

Beloved Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 13, 2026
When the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s, it found a powerful champion in Martin Luther King Jr., who drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau. Ghandi successfully used nonviolent resistance to free India from British colonial rule, and Henry David Thoreau coined the phrase "Civil Disobedience," arguing that individuals have a moral duty to refuse cooperation with unjust laws. King advocated for nonviolent resistance as a transformative force for justice and equality. His philosophy centered on love, moral courage, and disrupting unjust systems—not through hatred or violence, but through the redemptive power of unearned suffering.  King's approach was far from passive. Through boycotts, marches, and civil disobedience, he actively resisted evil while refusing to humiliate opponents. His goal was to defeat injustice itself, not the people perpetuating it, and to awaken understanding that could convert adversaries into allies. This courageous method aimed to create what King called the "Beloved Community"—a society built on reconciliation and mutual respect. On Sunday, we will remember MLK's legacy and consider how we can continue building beloved community through our own peaceful revolution.

Let's Get Started

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 6, 2026
Join us this Sunday for a hope‑filled gathering as we pause to celebrate where The Garden has been and dream boldly about where God is leading us next. It’s a moment to breathe, to remember, and to imagine—together. We’ll look back on our first season in our new home at FCIndy, celebrating the programs, services, and community partnerships that have helped us take root and flourish. We’ll revisit the seeds planted during our 2025 Greenhouse Challenge and share a special announcement you won't want to miss: a new initiative designed to spark creativity, deepen connection, and nurture growth in the year ahead. Through shared visioning and prayer, let's listen for God’s whisper and step into the future with courage, curiosity, and mindful, determined joy. Come be part of this uplifting service "Let's Get Started" for the journey still unfolding.

Finding Our Way

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 29, 2025
Today, with GPS at our fingertips, most of us rarely unfold a map—let alone look up to the stars. We navigate by screens that pull our attention downward, keeping our focus just a few inches from our faces. This Sunday, we’ll take a step back in time to when travelers—like the Magi—lifted their eyes to the night sky for direction and inspiration. As we enter the season of Epiphany, we’ll explore what it means to look up again, to notice the light around us, and to follow the kinds of “stars” that guide us toward meaning, connection, and the places that feel most sacred in our lives. Join us Sunday for “Finding Our Way.”
A hand writes in a notebook with a pencil. A window in the background shows an orange sunset.

My One Word

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

Christmas Eve 2025

December 22, 2025
This Christmas Eve, First Congregational Church of Indy and The Garden come together to celebrate the joy and wonder of Jesus’ birth in this shared service. We are delighted to join voices and hearts for this special evening. The service will weave together gifts of both congregations—music, prayer, readings, and storytelling—in a spirit of unity and welcome. Whether you are part of FCIndy or The Garden, or simply seeking a place to experience the wonder of Christmas, we welcome you as we celebrate the light that shines in the darkness and the hope that brings us together.