Monday, December 211 John 4:8, 4:16, 3:16, John 15:9-13There are particular somethings about you that bring delight to both God and others. The way your cheek curves, the scatter-color flash of your eyes, how the breeze seizes your hair and soars, be that beard or billow or buzz. The ways in which you walk and smile, each moving and speaking of the journey you’ve taken to get here. Within your bod...  Read More

Sunday, December 20The Fourth Sunday of AdventEvery Sunday during Advent we invite you to join us in lighting an Advent wreath in your home. These wreaths can be elaborate parts of your Christmas decor, or they can simply be four candles gathered from around the house (Pinterest is full of inspiration).Traditionally, many families light their Advent candle at dinnertime or during an evening quiet ...  Read More

Saturday, December 192 Corinthians 6:8-10Could experiencing joy really be a choice? Is it a posture of our heart? Is it based on the hand we think we think life dealt us? Are there personality types that make some people more prone to finding joy than others? Is joy part of God’s plan?Father Richard Rohr said, “Whatever is received is received according to the manner of the receiver.” This concept...  Read More

Type your new text here. Gathering,One of my earliest Christmas memories is setting up the nativity set at our house. My mom would bring out the box, and I would usually be responsible for unwrapping each figure and arranging them in the stable. Before I could read (and certainly before I ever read the Bible on my own), I learned the Christmas story through the image of that nativity set. Kids and...  Read More

Friday, December 18Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 13:50-52, Hebrews 12:1-3I can vividly remember the first 5K I ever ran. I was a freshman in college, in relatively good shape, and had never run over 1 mile before. I signed up with some sorority sisters to support a local charity and did absolutely nothing to prepare for it. I figured it would be easy, dare I say it would be fun…The run itself was anything...  Read More

Gathering,Ten years ago, The Gathering had one site, was packed with three services, and was trying to figure out how to continue to welcome new people.  We began exploring the idea of a second site. I was invited by the Clayton United Methodist Church to speak with their leadership team about this idea. It was an intimidating proposal. This church had a long history in downtown Clayton but had re...  Read More