Episodit
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Join Leah as she concludes the "Sacred Sources" series with a captivating look at biblical interpretation. Drawing inspiration from the Greek god Hermes, Leah introduces us to the art and science of hermeneutics – the practice of deriving meaning from texts. She expertly guides us through various interpretive lenses used throughout history, from early Jewish and Christian approaches to modern liberation and feminist theologies. Leah then turns our attention to Jesus' own interpretive key, found in Matthew 22:34-40, which emphasizes love as the central tenet of faith. This enlightening teaching equips us with valuable insights for reading scripture through a lens of love, encouraging a deeper and more nuanced engagement with the Bible. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your biblical understanding and enrich your faith journey.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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In this Sunday’s teaching, Leah starts off with a light-hearted anecdote involving a text message mix-up during an airport pick-up, highlighting the generational differences in communication. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the New Testament Epistles, a collection of letters that hold significant value in the Christian tradition. We delve into the context in which these letters were written, their intended audience, and the practice of pseudepigraphy, which sometimes complicates authorship. The message encourages us to discern which teachings in these ancient texts are relevant to our modern faith journey, particularly as we examine the universally accepted Pauline Epistle to the Philippians. Through this, we aim to find timeless lessons that continue to inspire and guide us today.
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In today’s teaching, Leah unpacks the complexities of the New Testament Gospels as part of the summer series, “Sacred Sources.” During seminary, many students face a pivotal moment when they realize the Bible’s formation is more complex than previously imagined. This often leads to a crisis of faith, but it can also lead to a more mature and nuanced understanding of these sacred texts. In this teaching, Leah explores what the Gospels are, how they came to be, and their significance. While the Gospels aren’t eyewitness accounts or direct transcripts of Jesus’ words, they are powerful, faith-driven narratives that offer us a profound connection to Jesus. By understanding the historical and literary context of these texts, we can approach them with fresh eyes and deeper reverence, finding new ways to connect with the life and teachings of Jesus.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Discover the captivating story of the Bedouin shepherds whose curiosity in 1947 unearthed one of the most profound archaeological discoveries of our time: the Dead Sea Scrolls. Join Leah as she continues her “Sacred Sources” series, delving into these ancient texts, exploring their significance and how they shape our understanding of faith today.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Discover the transformative power of scripture in two poignant stories that span decades. From a freshman’s eye-opening Bible study experience to the unsettling rise of Christian nationalism, these tales explore how the Bible can inspire faith and compassion while also being misused to entrench bigotry and power. Join Pastor Leah on a journey through “Sacred Sources,” where she delves into the ancient, diverse, and sometimes ambiguous texts of the Bible, and learn how to reclaim its wisdom for a more just and loving world.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
(And to watch the video mentioned at the end of Leah’s teaching, click this YouTube link.)
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Join Pastor Leah as she delves into the intersection of spirituality and mental health through the lens of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). This teaching unpacks the "Wise Mind" concept, highlighting how Jesus embodied this balance of emotion and reason in his actions and teachings. Through relatable anecdotes and biblical stories, Leah explorse practical DBT skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Discover how these tools can help us stay grounded, connected, and focused on what truly matters in challenging times. Tune in for an enriching journey towards deeper wisdom and spiritual resilience.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Step into a journey of discovery with Lead Pastor Leah as she shares a heartwarming anecdote about her daughter's profound insight that reshaped her perception of God. Set against the backdrop of Pride Month, Leah leads us into the realm of Queer Theology, unraveling its significance in navigating complex aspects of faith and identity. Through the lens of author Patrick Cheng's nuanced definitions and author Mihee Kim-Kort's insightful perspectives, Leah invites us to explore the multifaceted meanings of queerness and its potential impact on our spirituality. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in a dialogue that challenges conventions and fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Divine.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Embark on a transformative journey of spiritual exploration with this Sunday’s enlightening discourse. Inspired by personal encounters and sacred sites like the Temple Mount, our guest speaker invites you to transcend the confines of singular belief systems and embrace the richness of spiritual diversity.
Delve into "omnism," advocating respect for all religions, fostering appreciation for diverse beliefs. Challenge traditional boundaries, exploring dangers of misinterpretation and urging curiosity. Discover Hindu philosophy's wisdom in diverse spiritual approaches through "Ishta Devata" and interconnectedness. Reflect on parallels between quantum entanglement and spiritual interconnectedness.
Join us on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, where open hearts and open minds pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious world. Embrace the boundless potential of spiritual growth and interconnectedness, as we honour the richness and diversity of belief systems that shape our collective journey toward truth and enlightenment.
Review luca’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Embark on a soul-stirring exploration with Leah as she ventures into the depths of theodicy, seeking to unravel the tangled threads of suffering and faith. Reflecting on poignant personal moments and insights gleaned from her studies, Leah guides listeners through four thought-provoking models that grapple with the age-old question: where is God in the midst of suffering? From the traditional notion of "God's Plan" to the contemporary perspectives of divine empathy and human agency, each model offers a unique lens through which to view life's complexities.
Drawing from theological giants like John Calvin to contemporary thinkers like Thomas Oord, Leah navigates the intricacies of faith with grace and candor. Through poignant anecdotes and scholarly reflections, she invites listeners to ponder their own experiences of suffering and the ways in which they encounter the divine in the midst of life's storms.
As Leah shares her own evolving journey through the maze of theodicy, she offers not answers, but an invitation to wrestle with the profound mysteries of existence. Ultimately, she reminds us of the enduring hope that threads through our tradition—a hope that one day, all tears will be wiped away, and a new order of peace and wholeness will dawn.
Join Leah on this transformative exploration, and discover where your own path intersects with the eternal questions of faith, suffering, and redemption.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Embark on a transformative journey with Leah in her thought-provoking teaching series, "Navigating the Maze: Finding God in the Midst of Complexity," where she skilfully interweaves profound insights from Colum McCann's novel "Apeirogon" with real-life narratives of hope and reconciliation.
Drawing upon the poignant experiences of Basaam Aramin and Rami Elhannan, two fathers who transcended barriers of grief and animosity to become champions of peace, Leah offers profound reflections on the power of empathy, forgiveness, and collective action. From the early Christian ethos of pacifism to the complex moral frameworks of just-war theory, Leah guides us through the historical pathways traversed by Christians in their quest for ethical engagement with conflict.
But the journey does not end with historical reflections; Leah invites us to explore the emergent paradigm of Just Peacemaking, a holistic approach that transcends traditional dichotomies and calls us to embrace multifaceted strategies for sustainable peace-building. Through engaging discussions and insightful reflections, Leah empowers us to discern our unique role in fostering reconciliation and justice in our communities and beyond.
Join Leah in this illuminating exploration of peace and conflict, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary challenges, and where each of us is invited to be a catalyst for transformative change.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Step into the realm of faith and doubt with Cara Meredith, our special guest speaker, as she guides us through a rich exploration of Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ. In this week's Sunday service, delve into the complexities of belief and disbelief, as we unpack the narrative from John 20:24-31. Discover how Thomas, often labeled "The Doubter," embodies the struggles many face in navigating the maze of faith. Through Thomas's journey, we're invited to question, doubt, and ultimately encounter the transformative love of God. Join us as we journey together, exploring the depths of doubt and rediscovering the profound truth that God finds us in our moments of deepest need. This service promises to be a beacon of hope and a reminder that, despite the uncertainties of life, the path of love and faith remains steadfast.
Review Cara’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Embark on a captivating exploration with Leah as she delves into the ancient Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur, seamlessly weaving it into our contemporary struggles in her latest teaching series, "Navigating the Maze: Finding God in Complexity." Leah highlights the challenges of navigating modern-day mazes, addressing collective trauma and societal fragmentation while offering profound reflections on faith's role in guiding us through. Join Leah on this transformative journey as we seek hope beyond the maze, finding connection, healing, and liberation in the presence of the Divine.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Connie Barker is a white cis lesbian and former aspiring academic who has been living at the interesting intersection of Environmental Illness, Queerness, Disability and adult-onset Christian faith for almost 40 years. In this Sunday’s teaching, she shares some stories that hopefully have something to say about making peace.
Listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Discover profound insights with Yu-Shuan Tarango-Sho, founding Director of Sacred Roots, as we explore "Showing up for Liberation." With inspiration drawn from Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer and Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Yu-Shuan navigates the intersection of spirituality and collective wellness, embracing the both/and paradigm.
Through Yu-Shuan's guidance, we reflect on LeaderFUL-ness, engaging with young BIPOC leaders in the global movement for liberation. Rooted in cultural wisdom and interconnectedness, we embark on a journey of healing justice, reclaiming ancestral wisdom, and fostering collective well-being.
Join us as we heed Yu-Shuan's call to interlock our roots and collaborate towards collective healing and liberation.
Listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Join Leah in this thought-provoking reflection as she explores the profound tension in Jesus' teachings about peace. Drawing parallels between the fictional dystopia of Panem in The Hunger Games and the historical context of Jesus in the Pax Romana, she delves into the contrast between worldly peace, enforced by oppressive powers, and the divine peace (Shalom) that Jesus calls us to embrace. As she navigates conflicting passages in Matthew, we're challenged to be peacemakers in the truest sense—championing justice, resisting false peace, and embodying the transformative power of Shalom in a world marked by conflict. Let's embark on this journey together, seeking wisdom and understanding in the pursuit of a just and holistic peace in 2024.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Join Leah as she reflects on the events of January 6th, particularly the attack on the Capitol in 2021, and explores the concept of peacemaking in the context of current challenges. She connects the story of the Magi in the Bible, particularly their role as "religious strangers," to the idea of “holy envy”—finding beauty in other traditions without attempting to claim or conquer them. Leah’s narrative encourages a broader perspective and engagement with diverse perspectives, especially in the pursuit of peace amid various conflicts, both domestic and international. You are invited to reflect on personal experiences with "religious strangers" and consider the concept of holy envy in the context of peacemaking in 2024 with the help of guided questions and conversation.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Journey into the sacred silence of Advent with this insightful sermon as Leah explores the biblical story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Delve into the mystery of their encounters with the divine, as Zechariah's silence and Elizabeth's voluntary seclusion unfold into profound moments of spiritual revelation. Discover the transformative power of silence and solitude during the busy holiday season, and join us in practical contemplative practices to tune into the sacred presence. This sermon invites you to reflect, find joy in the midst of weariness, and make space for encounters with the divine in your own life.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Join Leah for an engaging exploration of these thought-provoking topics and gain a deeper understanding of their relevance today as she delves into the enigmatic parables of Jesus, including a teaching story by AJ Levine—a Jewish New Testament scholar—and an analysis of a famous parable from the Gospel of Matthew. The teaching also addresses the cultural context of the parables and the significance of discussing the concept of consequences in the afterlife as a teaching tool.
(The video by AJ Levine is an excerpt from her “Jesus in Text and Context” speech at Westminster Town Hall. The exact times are Part 1: 21:35 to 24:02 and Part 2: 24:02 to 26:47.)
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Explore the unexpected wisdom in this captivating teaching series. Join the thought-provoking discussion on growing in action, inspired by Jesus' parables. Unravel the mystery of the “Dishonest Manager” as we delve into the power of generosity and building relationships that transcend worldly wealth. Listen or watch the teaching and be part of a community committed to investing in true riches.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Join us for a special collaborative discussion on Haven's identity and action steps this Sunday. Your voice matters as we build on the insights from our retreat. If you’d like to contribute your voice, watch the video or listen to the audio below and fill out the provided Google Form. Let's shape our vibrant community together!
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