Orchard Conversations - podcast cover

Orchard Conversations

The Orchard Communitywww.orchardconversations.com
The Orchard Community is a 100-year old spiritual community helping people become who they are created to be. We’re less interested in dogma and more interested in living out our values: Goodness & Beauty, Wholeness, Renewal, Interdependence, Hospitality, Peacemaking, Humility & Curiosity. From digital content (like this podcast), to local events and Table Gatherings we’re doing our best to evolve into a spiritual community for the next 100 years.
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Episodes

A Resurrection People

Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminds us that death is a part of new life and as Resurrection people, we find that new life through Jesus Christ.

Apr 13, 202513 minEp. 102

A Chapter's End

Lead Pastor Scott Hodge and the Orchard Leadership Team have a conversation as this chapter in the Orchard's story comes to a close.

Apr 07, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 101

What's Lost Is Found :: LENT 2025

Our Lenten journey continues with Anna Hammond inviting us to reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son. We are reminded that our journey toward wholeness is not a straight line and it's never too late to rediscover the lost things in our lives. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com...

Apr 01, 202527 minEp. 100

Beyond Striving :: LENT 2025

What if Lent isn’t about striving, but about trusting that new life is still possible? Join us online this Third Sunday of Lent as Scott Hodge unpacks Jesus’ parable of the fig tree—a story about patience, hope, and a God who refuses to give up on us. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com...

Mar 28, 202515 minEp. 99

God As Mother Hen :: LENT 2025

Our Lenten journey continues with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminding us how we can return to God's loving embrace and turn from the fears and distractions that keep us from hearing God's call. ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where in your life do you sense God longing to gather you — to hold you, love you, remind you that you belong? What would it look like to stop running and let yourself be gathered? And what’s one small way you can say “yes” to that invitation this week? What...

Mar 17, 202518 minEp. 98

Temptation In The Desert :: LENT 2025

We begin our journey through Lent with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge taking us through the gospel reading for this week, in which Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

Mar 10, 202524 minEp. 97

Give Up The War :: Epiphany 2025

This week, we’re talking about the struggle to feel worthy, seen, and enough—and how the Transfiguration invites us to stop striving and start seeing ourselves clearly. What if transformation isn’t about becoming someone new, but about uncovering the light that’s already within you? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where are you at war with yourself? Where is the war stopping you from taking action and responding to the call in your life? Where are you trying to fit into someone...

Mar 03, 202532 minEp. 96

Love Your Enemies :: Epiphany 2025

Another week of Epiphany brings us to some of Jesus' most famous words: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you.” Anna Hammond shows us how to reexamine this text and apply it to our everyday lives. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com...

Feb 24, 202521 minEp. 95

Where Are You Planted? :: Epiphany 2025

This week we continue our Epiphany journey with an introspective examination of the human heart — can we trust it? Can we trust our instincts? How do we make choices that are truly “spirit-led”? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: What’s been nourishing you? What’s been draining you? What do you need to let go of? Where is God calling you to plant yourself? ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorit...

Feb 17, 202519 minEp. 94

Trust and Abundance :: Epiphany 2025

We continue our Epiphany series with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge taking a look at the themes of faith and abundance found in today's reading from the gospel of Luke, in which Jesus tells Simon Peter to drop his fishing nets again where he has already failed to catch anything. Scott asks the poinant question: Do we have eyes to see the surprising ways in which God moves in the midst of situations whose outcome we think we already know? ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcom...

Feb 10, 202523 minEp. 93

Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind :: Epiphany 2025

This week, we delve into one of the most renowned passages in the Bible—Paul’s profound discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, a scripture often recited at weddings. In our current cultural and political climate, what insights can we draw from this timeless teaching to guide our words and actions today? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION AND CONTEMPLATION: Are We Open to Hard Truths? Where in my life have I resisted a hard truth because it made me uncomfortable? Where Is Your Prophetic Voice Needed?...

Feb 03, 202530 minEp. 92

We Are The Body :: Epiphany 2025

The season of Epiphany continues with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminding us of the beauty, essentiality, and connectedness of a body made of many different parts. ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: When you look at your daily life—your workplace, family, or community—what is one practical way you can bring “good news” to someone in need this week? How can we as followers of Jesus actively engage in peacemaking and justice in ways that reflect his kingdom values? What does it look l...

Jan 27, 202532 minEp. 91

Water into Wine :: Epiphany 2025

As we continue through the season of Epiphany this year, we unexpectedly encounter Jesus’ very first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding and Benjamin Jay Thomas shares some unexpected truths that can transform our lives. ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where has “the wine run out” in your life? What old ways do you need to let go of? How can you embrace abundance over scarcity? When have you shifted from hesitation to action? What signs are pointing you toward trans...

Jan 20, 202526 minEp. 90

You Are Beloved :: Epiphany 2025

We continue the season of Epiphany by looking at the story of John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism and we ponder how we can face the reality of ourselves and become who God has created us to be. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

Jan 13, 202528 minEp. 89

New Year, New Me? :: God's Grace In A New Year

What would our lives look like if we fully believed God's grace has already saved us and we don't need to change anything about ourselves to earn God's love? This week, Lead Pastor Scott Hodge guides us into the new year by asking us each to consider what God is inviting us to become. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com...

Jan 06, 202515 minEp. 88

ADVENT 2024 :: Week 4

Join us this week as Benjamin Jay Thomas shares a teaching, music and poetry for the fourth week of Advent and the Winter Solstice. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intention. Join us as we step into Advent with open hearts, ready to embrace the beauty of this time. ••• To l...

Dec 23, 202436 minEp. 87

ADVENT 2024 :: Week 3

Join us this week as we continue our journey of Advent, preparing our lives and hearts for the Christ light entering into the world, with Scott Hodge sharing a teaching on the powerful hope and transformation in Luke 3:7-18. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intention. Join u...

Dec 16, 202426 minEp. 86

ADVENT 2024 :: Week 2

In this second week of Advent, Anna Hammond takes us into the story of Zechariah as we ask ourselves how can we make room for the peace of Christ in this season of anticipation. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intention. Join us as we step into Advent with open hearts, read...

Dec 09, 202425 minEp. 85

ADVENT 2024 :: Week 1

This weekend we mark the beginning of the Advent season with a teaching by Scott Hodge. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intention. Join us as we step into Advent with open hearts, ready to embrace the beauty of this time. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit ...

Dec 02, 202430 minEp. 84

Thadvent :: A Thanksgiving and Advent Liturgy

This week marks our annual “Thadvent” liturgy (yes, our playful merging of Thanksgiving and Advent)! Join us as Scott, Anna, and Benjamin reflect on what we’re grateful for and share simple, practical tips for showing up as our full selves around the Thanksgiving table with our families this year. Benjamin Jay Thomas will also debut his brand-new mantrasong, “Older Than Time.” We also invite you to share in this Thanksgiving Table Liturgy with your family - theorchardcommunity.com/thanksgiving •...

Nov 25, 202455 minEp. 83

Closing Thoughts :: The Jesus Sermon

This week we invite you to join us as our team engages in a conversation about the Beatitudes series we just wrapped up, noting the impact these teachings have had on us personally, as well as some observations about what they could mean for us collectively if we fully embraced them. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: Reflecting on our journey through the beatitudes, which of these teachings has made the deepest personal impact on you, and how has it shifted your perspective or act...

Nov 18, 202436 minEp. 82

You Are The Salt Of The Earth :: The Jesus Sermon

This week, we continue in the Gospel of Matthew and read beyond the Beatitudes, looking at more wisdom from Jesus spoken in his famous "Sermon on the Mount", starting with "You are the salt of the earth." With these verses in mind, Lead Pastor Scott Hodge tactfully questions how we can move forward as individuals and as a community in the wake of a divisive election and rising tension. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: How are you feeling after this election? How can you show love...

Nov 11, 202421 minEp. 81

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted :: The Jesus Sermon

This week, we conclude our series, The Jesus Sermon, by diving into the final beatitude, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Together, we’ll explore the deep wisdom in Jesus’ words about resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Join us as we reflect on what it means to live with courage and compassion, even when challenged. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: Where do you fall when it comes to your politics? What...

Nov 04, 202433 minEp. 80

Blessed Are The Peacemakers :: The Jesus Sermon

This week Lead Pastor Scott Hodge guides us as we look at the seventh and penultimate Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Scott reminds us of the pragmatic steps we can take to become better peacemakers in our lives in both big and small ways. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: How do you currently approach conflict in your life? Consider the six practices of peacemaking (listening to understand, holding competing perspectives, owning...

Oct 28, 202424 minEp. 79

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart :: The Jesus Sermon

This week Benjamin Jay Thomas takes us into the sixth Beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God." Benjamin asks us to consider what parts of ourselves we find unlovable and how practicing self-compassion can help us see God. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: What parts of yourself have you hidden away because you felt they were unlovable or unacceptable? When was the last time you felt triggered? What might that experience have been trying to show you about you...

Oct 21, 202438 minEp. 78

Blessed Are The Merciful :: The Jesus Sermon

This week Anna Hammond takes us into the fifth Beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." In this passage we find reminders that mercy is more than just compassion and forgiveness and that mercy is at the very root of God's being. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: Where in your life do you need to be shown mercy? Who do you struggle to show mercy towards? ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conv...

Oct 14, 202428 minEp. 77

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst :: The Jesus Sermon

This week we hit the halfway point of our series, "The Jesus Sermon", as Lead Pastor Scott Hodge takes us into the fourth Beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." As we examine this passage, Scott helps us recontextualize the concept of justice and asks us to consider how we, as Christ followers, can bring restorative justice to our world. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: In what areas of your life do you tend to focus more ...

Oct 07, 202425 minEp. 76

Blessed Are The Meek :: The Jesus Sermon

As we continue our series "The Jesus Sermon", Benjamin Jay Thomas leads us by taking a look at the third Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth". We see what true meekness looks like and how this countercultural value can bring us closer to God. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: How do you define “meekness” in your own words, and how does this differ from what society often values? How are you using your position of power? In what ways do you find it cha...

Sep 30, 202426 minEp. 75

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn :: The Jesus Sermon

As we continue our series "The Jesus Sermon", Anna Hammond guides us as we examine the second Beatitude, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted". Through this Beatitude, we are given permission to mourn and come to understand that, though there is much to grieve in the world at large and in our own lives, we will find comfort in God and in our community. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: When you look at the world, what breaks your heart? What do you see that gr...

Sep 23, 202433 minEp. 74

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit :: The Jesus Sermon

This week, we begin our new series, “The Jesus Sermon,” diving into the Beatitudes and their radical vision for a life aligned with God’s values. We start with “Poor in Spirit,” exploring what it means to reach the end of our rope and find, in that humility, a deeper connection to the Divine. Join us as we uncover how these ancient teachings speak to our present moment, offering hope, peace, and a new way forward. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: What assumptions have you held ab...

Sep 16, 202429 minEp. 73
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