For this week’s episode of Perspectives, we’re joined by Rev. Brittany and Rev. Hannah as they look at the personal question of “Where does it hurt?” as inspired by the Biblical story of Hannah’s infertility in 1 Samuel.
Are you craving a deeper connection with others? Join us for the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast as we look at the questions to ask ourselves and others to help create long-lasting, meaningful relationships. This week, Rev. Hannah is joined by Khaled Alsabbagh, a First Church San Diego member who moved to San Diego after growing up in Syria. The two connect over their shared experience of being global transplants, wanting their humanness to being seen instead of just their country or area of origin. It’s a wish that’s shared by most people. Even if they grew up in the same city, their neighborhood, school, and family experiences all go into the formation of identity and value systems. There is so much we can learn when we simply ask – with an open mind and honest curiosity – “Where are you from?” and “What values do you bring from your background?” Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. What comes to your mind when you run into someone who looks, and speaks, and dresses differently than you? 2. How do you engage in conversations with people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds? 3. What can we learn from those relationships?
Are you craving a deeper connection with others? Join us for the next several episodes of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast as we look at the questions to ask ourselves and others to help create long-lasting, meaningful relationships. We kick off the series with Rev. Hannah who is joined by Demmie Divine, the Director of Member Care Ministries at First Church San Diego. They explore the question “Do you come here often?” through the lens of Hebrews 13: 20, “Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests because by doing this, some have been host to angels without knowing it.” They discuss what people can do to help make church visitors feel welcome, turning them from a one-time guest into an active participant of the community. Everyone may look, act, and react differently, but when you’re brave and take that first step, you may be amazed by what you discover when you welcome someone with curiosity. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. What was the warmest welcome you ever received when you walked into a new space full of strangers? 2. Why and how did it make you feel most welcomed? 3. How can we and you welcome strangers, friends you haven’t met yet?
This week’s episode of Perspectives wraps up our series on Divine Gifts and the movement of the Holy Spirit. And it’s extra special because all three women clergy are on set: Rev. Trudy, Rev. Hannah, AND Rev. Brittany! The three women talk about reconstructing the church as it stands today. After all, God works to tear down our walls but doesn’t leave us in rubbles … the Spirit moves us to rebuild as well. They kick off the conversation looking at the wishes of our local congregants as they’ve come together to reimagine the church to meet the needs of today’s society. They answer how they personally would like to reconstruct the church. Their answers may step on some toes. What’s the one thing they agree that you can’t take away? The Holy Spirit. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. What would you like to see in a reconstructed church? 2. What would you keep, what would you throw away, and how does it make you feel? 3. In what ways would reconstructing the church deepen the relationship you have with God and your experience of the Holy Spirit?
In this episode of Perspectives, Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany continue the discussion of the movement of the Holy Spirit and the Divine Gifts that can come out of the movement – even when the movement is disconcerting. Today’s story is a good story – it brings healing and life – but it also brings around an emotional undoing that can happen when we have an encounter with God. Undoing in the healing itself but also all of the undoing that must happen for us to be open and vulnerable to that encounter with the Divine. And what about when we reach out and have an encounter with God, but healing doesn’t happen? Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany consider what gifts may still come out of what others may label as a disappointing encounter. Our weekly Bible Study discussion group, Convergence, is currently taking a break for Summer. But we invite you to ponder and discuss the following questions with your friends and family: 1. Have you ever felt undone by something good? 2. How do you understand prayers that go answered or are followed by what you prayed wouldn’t happen? 3. Have you ever been shocked by how God has shown up in the eleventh hour?
Previous12345678910 ... 9596Next
