December 5, 2022
“Peace, Peace” When There Is No Peace
On the Second Sunday of Advent, Jess Williams gives a talk on the Jeremiah passage that emphasizes that a surface peace that doesn’t face real and present divisions is no peace at all.
November 27, 2022
A Homily of Hope (First Sunday of Advent)
A beautiful service for the First Sunday of Advent came in the form of our second “communion liturgy Sunday.” With music, readings and a homily on hope by Rachael Barham, we ushered in the season together.
November 20, 2022
A Doula’s Approach to Pastoral Care
Jess Williams reflects on her understandings of pastoral care as she takes on one of the pastoral roles at SCC. Click to see her slides and listen to the talk at the link below.
November 13, 2022
Blue Skies (2nd Breakfast)
Today we had our first “2nd Breakfast” since the pandemic began. After a potluck breakfast, Jess and Alex introduced a “Blue Skies” exercise to imagine how we might all be most interested in getting more involved.
November 6, 2022
Rooted in the Way of Jesus
Walter used the painting that arrived recently from Krista Heide to talk about our commitment to being “rooted in the way of Jesus.” The powerpoint shows some pictures from the SSU week at Camp Chiputneticook, which Walter used as an example of the importance of rootedness and commitment.
October 30, 2022
Blessings on Imperfect Saints
We had our first communion liturgy service (downstairs). You can hear the readings and listen to Jess Williams share some reflections on All Saints Day with the help of Nadia Bolz-Weber and some responses from those gathered (you may have to turn your volume up to hear some of them).
October 23, 2022
Diversity, Inclusion and Interdependence
Jess Williams begins sharing about the four “core longings” that the Imagination Team heard from those that they interviewed on their hopes for the SCC community. The first is the longing for continued growth in diversity and inclusion, and Jess connected our need for diversity with Jesus’ emphasis on including the marginalized and on the interdependence that is named for us so well in 1 Corinthians 12.
October 16, 2022
Transitions & Thresholds
This morning, as we began a new season for SCC, Jess shared some thoughts on transitions before Rachael led us in a lectio divina exercise with a John O’Donohue reading on thresholds.
October 9, 2022
30th Birthday Celebration
This Sunday marked the 30th anniversary of St. Croix Church. It was also Thanksgiving Weekend and the day that Peter and Mary Ellen Fitch chose as a retirement date. All of these things were celebrated with songs, an open mic for people to share what the church has meant to them, and a potluck time with cake.
The audio podcast this week is limited to the middle hour of the time together but includes all of the open mic sharing. The video contains the complete service.
October 2, 2022
A God I Can Trust
Brad Jersak talks about the humility of God that’s bigger than the Christian brand. God comes to some people anonymously, but in the wounds of Jesus we find a God who suffers with us — a God who accepts us as we are and shares our experience.
September 25, 2022
Put Your Faith in Love
After a beautiful worship service led by Raymond Funk, communion was offered to all. Alex Henderson shared his experience on the Imagination Team and his thoughts on the the upcoming transitions. The service concluded with a talk by Jessica Williams, who invited us to behold who we are in a loving way. Courageously, she demonstrated what this looks like for her.
September 18, 2022
Visits to Home
Today Carole Way led music, with help from Teena Brown and Rick Coates, and Jeff Way talked about his visit in the early summer to Eden Children’s Village in Zimbabwe. The Ways have loved this orphanage/community for a long time and go there whenever possible. They have given talks about Eden in the past but today’s talk was very encouraging because of all the developments that have taken place since they first got connected. Before Jeff spoke, Julie Kelly and Rachael Barham shared about their involvement in the Imagination Team that has been leading the way forward for St. Croix Church as the Fitch’s retirement draws closer.