Guest speaker luca offers a gospel-infused reimagining of self-care, one rooted not in consumerism or productivity, but in sacred rest and shared belovedness. Far from the shallow self-help narratives sold to us by Empire, luca offers a vision of care that is sacred, not selfish: a form of gospel-rooted resistance to the lie that we must constantly perform, produce, or prove our worth. With vulnerability and clarity, he dismantles the myth that rest must be earned, drawing from personal experien...
Jul 08, 2025
In this Pentecost teaching, Leah wraps up the Earthly Empire and Divine Kin-dom series by tracing the Spirit’s liberating work across Scripture, history, and today. She contrasts the Tower of Babel (an empire story rooted in conformity and self-glorification) with the Pentecost narrative in Acts, where the Spirit disrupts domination by empowering diverse languages and radical community. Drawing from the legacy of William Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival, Leah lifts up the Spirit’s power to r...
Jun 04, 2025
In this powerful teaching, Leah explores what true greatness looks like in the Divine Kin-dom, contrasting it with the domination and hierarchy of empire. Drawing from the gospel of Mark, she unpacks two parallel stories where Jesus flips the script on greatness, calling his followers to service, humility, and care for the most vulnerable.
May 18, 2025
In this storytelling-centered teaching, Leah weaves together three profound “scar stories” to explore how resurrection, resilience, and healing often show up bearing the marks of suffering. She begins with the familiar post-Easter story of Jesus inviting Thomas to touch his wounds, reminding us that Divine transformation doesn’t erase our pain, but honors it.
May 04, 2025
This Easter, Leah invites us to see resurrection not just as personal salvation, but as a profound act of resistance to Empire. In a time when powerful voices long for modern-day Caesars, Leah contrasts Ancient Rome with the Divine Kin-dom Jesus proclaimed: a vision built not on domination but on relational connection and justice.
Apr 20, 2025
In this teaching of the “Earthly Empire and Divine Kin-dom” series, Leah walks us through the last, harrowing chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life: his work in the German resistance, his arrest, and his ultimate execution. Amidst moral ambiguity and deep suffering, Bonhoeffer never stopped seeking Christ’s presence in the complexity of real life.
Apr 06, 2025
In this next teaching on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Leah explores his leadership in the Confessing Church and his efforts to disciple Christian resistance in Nazi Germany. She shares how Bonhoeffer trained young pastors in an underground seminary, centering their faith on intentional community and the radical teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mar 16, 2025
As Lent begins, Leah launches a special series within “Earthly Empire & Divine Kin-dom,” focusing on the life and resistance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. She examines how Bonhoeffer’s time in New York—studying at Union Theological Seminary, worshiping at Abyssinian Baptist Church, and confronting American racism—transformed his understanding of Jesus and justice.
Mar 07, 2025
In this next installment of the “Empire and Kin-dom” series, Leah examines how resistance stories have shaped movements for justice and survival.
Feb 16, 2025
Leah launches the “Earthly Empire and Divine Kin-dom” series by exploring the stark contrast between earthly power and God’s vision for community. Drawing on the story of Frederick Douglass, the warnings of the prophet Samuel, and Jesus’ proclamation of the “Kin-dom of God,” she challenges us to discern the difference between empire and divine kinship. This teaching invites us to resist systems of oppression and build a faith rooted in justice, solidarity, and love. Review Leah’s notes here and ...
Feb 02, 2025
In this powerful reflection, Leah draws upon the prophetic legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to inspire “A Time of Sacred Preparation.” She explores Dr. King’s teachings on justice, nonviolence, and hope, even in the face of profound disappointment. Sharing excerpts from his sermons and prayers, Leah challenges us to confront the realities of our time with a resilient spirit and a commitment to love. She calls us to embody practices of preparation—prayer, reflection, and grounded action...
Jan 19, 2025
In this Epiphany teaching, Leah explores the Divine revelations in the story of Jesus’ baptism and how they resonate today. She unpacks three key epiphanies: the way God disrupts social hierarchies, the collaborative nature of Divine work, and the power of the Spirit symbolized by the dove—gentleness, grace, and nonviolence. Leah reminds us that these qualities require strength and are essential for justice and empathy in a fractured world. Reflecting on the challenges of our time, she encourage...
Jan 05, 2025
Leah kicks off Advent with a reflective teaching on the theme “You Are a Blessing.” Exploring Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, Leah highlights how Divine favor begins with blessing, reshapes expectations, and empowers new possibilities. Through this lens, she invites us to embrace the truth of our inherent worth and consider the agency we hold in our own sacred journeys. Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below....
Dec 01, 2024
In this closing teaching of the “ Hurt to Whole ” series, Leah introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth ( PTG ), the remarkable capacity of the human spirit to find resilience and even transformation after trauma. She reflects on her own personal journey and draws from trauma studies, explaining how adversity can lead us to new strengths, values, and connections. By examining stories of resilience from the Bible, Leah reminds us of a Divine presence that partners with us to bring good fro...
Nov 03, 2024
In this insightful teaching, Leah delves into the significance of sharing our untold stories as part of the “ Hurt to Whole ” series. She begins with a powerful quote from Maya Angelou, connecting it to the process of trauma recovery that involves safety, remembrance, and reconnection. Leah explains how the Christian faith itself can be seen as a post-traumatic tradition, rooted in the shared experiences of Jesus’ followers after his crucifixion. By revisiting the story of Jesus and Peter on the...
Oct 20, 2024
In this special service, Leah bridges the themes of the “Hurt to Whole” series with Caleb’s renaming ceremony, highlighting the profound concept of embodiment. She speaks to how our bodies carry the imprints of trauma and, equally, the pathways to healing, emphasizing that true wholeness involves connecting deeply with our physical selves. Reflecting on the life of Jesus, Leah illustrates how the Divine chose to embody human experiences, from compassion to suffering, and how this embodied presen...
Oct 06, 2024
Join Leah as she leads us into the transformative new “Hurt to Whole” series, where she explores the deep connections between trauma, healing, and spirituality. Reflecting on her father’s experience with PTSD and her own year-long study of trauma care, she sheds light on how trauma affects our bodies, minds, and relationships. In this session, Leah tackles essential questions such as what trauma is, how it shows up, and how being trauma-informed can shape our spiritual communities. With compassi...
Sep 15, 2024
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 ...
Sep 01, 2024
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 ...
Aug 18, 2024
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 Go...
Aug 04, 2024
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....
Jul 21, 2024
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...
Jul 07, 2024
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...
Jun 16, 2024
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 me...
Jun 02, 2024
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 curios...
May 19, 2024
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 o...
May 05, 2024
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 powe...
Apr 21, 2024
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 enc...
Apr 07, 2024
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 ...
Mar 31, 2024
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.
Mar 03, 2024
