Speaker: Rev. CJ Valenti

Our culture often speaks of hope as either a Pollyannaish positivism or a measured optimism. Viewed through the lens of the cross, hope becomes an agent of empowering transformation instead. It does not deny suffering. Hope acknowledges that the present conditions are desperate, and it depends on God, with whom nothing is impossible. Hope is…

We often define justice as people getting what they deserve, but Jesus shows us a kind of justice that is more interested in what is necessary and loving than in what is fair. Jesus’ justice is ridiculously unbalanced: the Human One takes all of the hits, and humanity gets all of the benefits. Once we’ve…

“Great is thy faithfulness!” sings a favorite hymn. We encounter God’s faithfulness whenever God meets us in baptismal waters, in bread and cup, in the word proclaimed, and in sins forgiven. On the other hand, our culture often frames faith as something we force into existence by sheer willpower: “Just have a little faith!” If…

On All Saints’ day, we remember loved ones who have died. In worship we will name out loud each loved person we have buried in the last year. In our scripture readings we are reminded that our grief, our tears are sacred. Together as the church we celebrate God’s hope and promise of resurrection for…

This week’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over…

This Sunday we celebrate the bright and beautiful creation we are a part of and live with on a daily basis. We remember all of creation matters, even the mosquito. We recommit ourselves to be a careful steward and together with God, we build a hopeful future where all thrive.  Accompanying Scripture:Romans 8:18-25, Psalm 96, Mark…

Throughout scripture, mountains are a sign of God’s majesty and power. From these high vantage points, we feel in the tingling sensations of our toes how high up we are and how small humanity truly is. This Sunday we give thanks for a different perspective and renew our call to care for all things great and…

From the rising to the setting sun, we mark our days by the sky. Throughout scripture the sky indicates God’s majesty, power, vibrant color and awe inspiring power. We also know how important it is to care for the sky, for without its health we become sick. Breath is life. Life is breath. This Sunday we…

Our Season of Creation this year begins with humanity. Today we remember that we as humans are not separate from creation, but an integral part of this delicate web of life God has lovingly and painstakingly created. Jesus asks us to consider whether we as humans are placed here to lord over or partner with?…

We know God shows no partiality and yet Jesus at first does not want to help this family because they are not Jewish. Even Jesus has grumpy days and needs to be able to listen with compassion. We too are given permission to be human, have grumpy days and in the end remember – compassion…