Reflection

In Luke 13:10-17, we read a story about a synagogue leader’s criticism of a woman being healed on the Sabbath. As we imaginatively engage the text, we find ourselves in the story and sense an invitation to healing being extended to us—including our own critical parts—so that every system—internal and external—can be set free.

If you would like to join us in the Eucharist, make sure to have some form of bread or cracker and some form of juice or wine with you.

Ways to Get Connected
Register for the Parenting Workshop with Meredith Miller on August 27th from 12:30-3p.
Take a the morning to rest on August 20th as we observe our Sabbath break. No gatherings or podcast.
Read more about our Quarterly Financial Update.
Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to our general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Can violence and vengeance really build the world we want? And if not, how do we sustain a posture of mercy in world with so much harm? This episode also includes a time of reflection and a prayer of confession and absolution borrowed from our Anglican sisters and brothers in the Book of Common Prayer.

What does it mean to believe that Jesus will return and judge? And when judgement so often evokes fears of punishment, shame, and exclusion, are their other ways of understanding it? After we explore these questions, we spend some time reflecting on, praying through, and meditating on the questions we have and the hopes we have for the world. The reflections and prayers from this time were written by Cole Arthur Riley and published through her Instagram, @blackliturgies.

If you would like to donate to help us provide comfort food to the 6th graders at Jefferson Traditional Middle School, after the tragic loss of their classmate, T’yon Horston, you can visit our give page and make sure to designate it to the Jefferson Traditional fund. The money donated to this fund will help purchase the Chick-fil-a lunches and any money that surpasses that cost will be given directly to the school to be used at their discretion. As always, we have strict guidelines in place that our care funds cannot be accessed for other needs besides what they are designated for.

At the beginning of this episode, we gave an update on The Tribune Project as we reached the half-way point in the commitment period. If you would like to join us for our next work day, you can let us know by filling out this form.

Other Ways to Get Connected
RSVP to either our in-person (May 7th at 12:15p) or virtual (May 8th at 8:30EST) New to SBCC Table.
Let us know that you’re interested in baptism.
Help us write our Mother’s Day Reading.

As we enter the season of Advent, we’ll spend four weeks exploring the implications of a God who locates Godself in the womb of a young woman. This week we heard from Mallory Wyckoff, who brought a teaching that considers Mary’s experience in the Christmas story.

Mallory Wyckoff is a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and peacemaker. She serves as key relationships officer with Preemptive Love, a global community of peacemakers working to end war and stop the spread of violence. Having completed her dissertation on the impact of sexual trauma on survivors’ theological perception and spiritual formation, Mallory has a DMin in missional and spiritual formation. In all her work, Mallory is a trusted voice for people seeking to navigate their spirituality with curiosity, honesty, and courage.

But before we heard from Mallory, we also heard from Willow Wetherall, Executive Director of Downtown South Bend, about our partnership to support a social outreach ambassador position. This is one of the objectives funded by this year’s Christmas offering. To make a gift, head to southbendcitychurch.com/give and select the Christmas 2022 fund option.

To sign up to host an in-person or online brunch on January 8th, CLICK HERE

This weekend we spent some time with the idea that stories are meant to be shared. We began our time this weekend with some songs and a poem, written by one of our community members, that reminds us of the importance of the stories in our community.

Find the full transcript HERE

To hear more stories from our community members, head over to Monday’s episode of the podcast..

This liturgy, which was paired with this week’s teaching on God as Creator, explores the relationship with the world around us and the Divine. We spent some time reflecting through song, through reading, and by centering ourselves back on the Apostle’s Creed as we continue in our series Old Creed, New World. Music recorded live at Studebaker 112 and spoken word recorded separately. Follow along with the full transcript found at: https://bit.ly/9-18-22-creationliturgy