“Front Porch Faith” (7/5/20)

"Where I find hope these days is on the front porch. Not the fake front porch that white supremacy and capitalism push us to perform – but the front porch faith where we call each other in, and where we shrug off shame and the myth of self-sufficiency." - Rev. Gretchen

Listen in to this week’s homily where Rev. Gretchen considers community, human need, and hope for American democracy.

“From My Front Porch” (7/5/20)

“Here Matters 3: Because It’s Where the Future Begins” (6/21/20)

Part 3 of 3

“Here Matters 2: Because It’s Who We Are and Who We Are Not” (6/21/20)

Part 2 of 3

“Here Matters 1: Because It’s Where You Are” (6/21/20)

Part 1 of 3

“Prayer: No Place Like Home” (6/21/20)

Rev. Kristen's prayer from June 21.

“To Know, To Love” (6/14/20)

“Tips for Awkward Conversations on Race” (6/14/20)

“The Conspiracy for Beloved Community” (6/7/20)

In this homily, Rev. Kristen connects the story of Flower Communion to the movement for Black Lives, and our movement for collective liberation

She writes: “This season of flower communion recommits us to honoring the beauty of Life, the beauty of Black life, the beauty of Brown life, the beauty that moves within, between and among us - calling us - nudging us through our senses - to remember. To remember the inherent worth and beauty of every person. To remember - to see and to know, to name and to celebrate our differences. To remember our connectedness - our interdependence - - and the complicated and essential truth that none of us are free until all of us are free.”

“How We Survive” (5/31/20)

Will the uncertainty and chaos of this moment lead us to hunkering down and focusing on our individual survival, or will we remember the roots of our resilience that lead to our collective survival? Rev. Gretchen offers this homily reflecting on this moment and the call of our faith for collective liberation where all means ALL.

“Our Stories of Resilience” (5/31/20)

We all have stories of challenge and sacrifice, loss and struggle. Stories that we can draw on to help guide us through the challenges we face today. Foothills members share some of their personal stories and reflections. Rev. Kristen then draws out some of the themes she hears, before turning to a conversation our Director of Family Ministry recently had with young adults who grew up at Foothills.

Featuring Foothills members Kirsten Hartman and Ed Meek, Marla Nelson, Tom Inscho, Tim Clouse, and Pam Webber, and young adults (forever Foothills community members!) Jason Latta, Brynna Herbener, Alex Undy and Sami Scovel.

“What We Give Up” (5/24/20)

In this short homily, Rev. Gretchen reflects on the question of sacrifice, and the power of choosing to give something up so that we don’t have to give up everything.

“Without trusted leadership at a national or global level, we can still remember and remain faithful to this fundamental commitment of our faith - the promises we have made to the love that flows within each of us, among all of us, and that calls us beyond ourselves. The promises for who we will be, and what we will give, and why. The duty we have to those who came before, and those who will come next. We can listen and remember the roots of resilience found in our steadfast willingness to do the hard thing, to give up and to let go and to sacrifice - with joy, and gratitude.” - Rev. Gretchen Haley