Episoder
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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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Manglende episoder?
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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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Join Leah as she discusses the discovery of the essential components of trust. Engage in the discussion on the core pillars of trust - ability, integrity, and benevolence - and witness how they interplay in fostering collaboration and connection. Delve into the insightful journey of Jesus and Simon Peter, discovering the lessons in personal connection, partnership, and cultural understanding that pave the way for building trust within your own relationships.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Join us for this transformative teaching from Pastor Leah Martens as she delves into the powerful biblical story of Naaman's healing in 2 Kings 5. Through a captivating exploration, Leah uncovers the profound connection between humility and collaboration, shedding light on the necessary steps to foster meaningful collaboration within our faith community.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Our service this Sunday featured the brilliant guest speaker Sandhya Jha, an esteemed activist, author, and speaker. In their thought-provoking discussion titled 'A People United?', Sandhya shared insightful perspectives and powerful messages that are sure to leave all viewers and listeners inspired and motivated to create positive change in their lives and communities and ask the harder questions of themselves and their communities.
Listen to or watch the teaching below.
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Starting off a new teaching series called "Dialogue with the Divine, Leah leads us in a discussion on prayer. She shares her personal journey, exploring the different forms and meanings of prayer in her life. Drawing from diverse religious contexts, Leah emphasizes the importance of communication in nurturing a relationship with God. Using the story of Hannah as an example, who prayed fervently for a child, she invites viewers to delve into biblical narratives. Through this series, Leah encourages us to deepen our spiritual connection and explore our own unique relationship with prayer and the Divine.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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In her Easter Sunday sermon, Leah explores Mary Magdalene’s longing for Jesus, her persistence in finding him after discovering his tomb empty, and her exploration of the mystery of his absence and proclamation of hope that we are not alone; that our spiritual journey can be one of transformation, moving us from grief or loss to hope and acceptance.
Review Leah’s notes and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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On her final Sunday at Haven, Jeanne gives a teaching on a famous passage in Mathew, often called "the Beatitudes", in which she speaks directly as a woman of color to the BIPOC folk in the room.
You can view Jeanne’s Paraphrase of the Beatitudes here and listen to or watch her teaching below.
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In her final teaching in the "Community Evolving" series, Leah take a look at an incident in the early church, as reported in Acts 15, and invites Haven to consider the way a group can work together through a process to pursue growth and change.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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This message is the second-to-last of Leah's teachings in the "Community Evolving" series. As the series comes to a close, we're looking at a couple of connected incidents in the book of Acts, with the hope that they may serve as a kind of case study in what collective evolution can look like. This first is a look at an incident in Acts 10, as the Spirit brings together two characters in a surprising way.
Review Leah’s notes and listen to or watch the teaching below.
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