Jesus said that it was God’s desire for us to become his disciples. He said that we would abide in love and find complete joy if we followed him. Listen to “God’s Garden” to hear more about what it means to bear good fruit.

We’ll be meeting following worship this Sunday to have a conversation about the first six chapters of The Plateau. It’s a book about sacrifice and courage and one woman’s search for peace. How do we make it? Why does it exist so profoundly in some places? Can we make it a habit? We’ll be meeting this Sunday at 11am. Please join us!

No parent wants to lose their child. If the prophet Hosea is right, then God anguishes at the thought of losing you. Listen to “God’s Anguish” to hear more about how mercy triumphs over judgment.

We’ll gather on the hill tonight at 5:30pm. It will be fun and casual. We’ll enjoy the view and the company. See you tonight!

The Way – We will have an informational session this Saturday at 5:00pm about a new effort to form inter-generational mentoring circles. The idea is for every child and youth of SCRC to have 5 adults interested in their growth in life and faith. This session is for parents, children, youth, and any other adult who cares about seeing the next generation thrive (click on the title link for more information).

Grill On the Hill – Our monthly social gathering is this Saturday at 5:30pm. Bring something to grill or a dish to share. Plan to play and enjoy good conversation.

Coming To the Table – This is one of our new opportunities to reach out to the community and serve with them. It is an effort to live out the “ministry of reconciliation” that God has given to the church (2 Corinthians 5:16-21 or Ephesians 2:13-18). The first meeting is this Sunday at 5:00pm up at the church (click on the title link for more information on this and other Opportunities to Serve).

Sacred Breath will meet with Ray Bratcher this Wednesday at 6pm.

Yoga For the People will meet with Claudia Collins this Friday at 9am.

Contemplative Circles will meet with Pastor Peter this Friday at 10:15am.

When God makes a promise, God plans to keep it. It’s not something that we have to force or a matter that we need to take into our own hands. We can plan on it. Listen to “Planning on God’s Promise” to hear what this meant for David and what it means for us today.

These are opportunities for you to continue to grow in faith so that you can bear fruit in love.

Sunday Worship – We gather every Sunday morning at 9:30am to sing, pray, and listen for God’s Word. We gather around Jesus’ table and there is a place set for you. We use traditional hymns, contemporary music, silence and sharing to be refreshed and nourished by God’s Holy Spirit so that we can grow as the body of Christ in the world.

Life-long Learning – On select Sundays at 11:00am we gather to take a deeper look at Scripture to seek understanding for our society. Bible studies, book discussions, and current events form the basis for our conversations.

Jazz Vespers – On the first Sunday of the month we gather to celebrate the “unity” in our community. It’s a celebration of music and local talent interspersed with prayers, inspiring readings, and the gifts we bring to one another. Jazz Vespers begins at 5:30pm.

Sacred Breath – Jesus breathed on his disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The book of Genesis teaches that there is a breath that comes from God that gives life to our bodies. These are two images to help you imagine God’s presence during Sacred Breath, an intentional effort to breathe deeply and purposefully, preparing our hearts and minds for God’s Spirit to move in our lives. Sacred Breath meets on Wednesdays at 6pm.

Yoga For the People – Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. It deserves your attention and care. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress, heal your aches and pains, and learn to focus your attention on the light of Christ within you. YftP meets Fridays at 9am.

Contemplative Circles – Contemplation is a more personal way to engage with God’s Word. It’s less about learning and more about listening. It’s less knowing about God and more being known by God. We’ll gather at 10:15 on Fridays (after yoga). We’ll look at the week’s Scripture. Spend time in silent contemplation. And, share what we think we’ve heard God saying to each of us for the day.

Spiritual Direction – Pastor Peter was trained in spiritual direction at the Center for Spirituality & Justice. Spiritual Direction is different than pastoral counseling and distinct from teaching. It is a conversation to help you notice God’s voice in your life and be aware of your responses to it. The goal is to guide you in your own, ongoing conversation with God. By appointment.

Jesus taught his followers the depth of love by washing their feet. It was a humble service of reconciliation and justice. Below are some opportunities for you to serve with SCRC.

The Way – This is an inter-generational mentoring circle where adults make themselves available to young people. We gather on the second Saturday of every month to listen, share what we’ve learned, and offer support through struggles. We also explore the way to live that Jesus calls us to, what makes it hard, and how we find joy in pursuing it. It takes a village to raise our children and we’ll start at 4:00pm (just before our monthly Grill On the Hill at 5:30pm). Each month the circles will study a value (e.g. justice, creation, prayer, etc.) and plan a follow-up gathering to embody that value together in the community.

Coming To the Table – We believe that the work of God is creating “one new humanity…thus making peace.” (Eph. 2:15), elsewhere described as the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18). We gather once a month to promote a new way of being together cross-racially and cross-culturally. Some people say they are colorblind. Others recognize racial disparities. Still others harbor deep racial hostility. Coming To the Table creates space for people to have honest conversations about their experiences of race and racism. You’ll find your spot at the table on the second Sunday of the month at 5:00pm.

Drumming Up Justice – “There was no one in need among them.” (Acts 4:34). This is the goal of Drumming Up Justice. We gather on the third Sunday of the month for a drum circle and then a conversation about applying restorative justice to our community and its institutions. Drum circles have proven a deeply spiritual resource for resilience in the midst of the hard work of justice. They are connected to the principles of restorative justice that value empowerment, community, and accountability. The drum circle will meet from 4pm-5pm. A conversation about advocacy and justice will follow from 5pm-6pm.

Claudia Collins will be hosting a weekly yoga class on Fridays at 9am beginning this week, October 25. She welcomes people of all ages and experience levels. Yoga is great way to relieve stress, heal the body, and learn to focus your attention on God’s image being restored to you by God’s Spirit.

If you’d like to participate in these circles, we’ll be hosting an informational gathering on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 5:00pm. This will be right before our Grill On the Hill.

What: An inter-generational circle gathering of 10-14 adults and youth who will share their struggles and success, faults and hopes for the future. It’s a mentoring strategy that helps young people navigate seasons of life with the wisdom of their elders.

Why: Studies suggest that children and youth benefit most from the investment of five adults, other than their parents, who will take an interest, encourage and support them as they grow.

How: The Way involves two monthly gatherings. The first will always be on the second Saturday of the month during which adults and youth will share what is capturing their attention, asking for support, and exploring a value that we are called to live out together. During the first gathering of the month the groups will plan an outing as a way to embody the value studied in the first circle gathering.

Year #1                                            Year #2                                            Year #3

Life/Story                                        Life/Story                                        Life/Story

Practices                                          Practices                                          Practices

Bodies                                              Time                                                 Choices

Creativity                                         Play                                                  Worship

Forgiveness                                    Grieving                                           Friends

Prayer                                              Music                                               Truth

Creation                                          Justice                                              Welcome

Stuff                                                 Work                                                Food

When: Circles will meet on the second Saturday of the month from 4:00-5:30pm. They will plan another gathering over the course of the month in order to embody the value that they have studied.