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During her sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Alison shared a letter called “Acting faithfully in troubling times,” which was written by Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe to members of the Episcopal church. Rowe's letter does a great job of painting a vision for how our faith can influence how we navigate the troubling world we find ourselves in today. While we, at the River, are not members of the Episcopal Church, we are part of the global communion of hope in the Risen Jesus. We too can draw upon the strengths of our faith, as we seek to resist evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. And we too can find courage and resilience in our identity as members of the Body of Christ. Text of the letter is included below! Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:
I am writing to you from Geneva, where I am meeting with global partners at the World Council of Churches and the United Nations Refugee Agency. As we have discussed how our institutions might act faithfully and boldly in these turbulent times, I have been reflecting on how we Episcopalians can respond to what is unfolding around us as followers of the Risen Christ whose first allegiance is to the kingdom of God, not to any nation or political party. The events of the last several days lend urgency to this spiritual challenge. Earlier this week, President Trump’s executive order banning or restricting travel from 19 countries went into effect. This order impacts countries that are home to dioceses of The Episcopal Church and many of our Anglican Communion partners, and I have written to the bishops and primates in those countries to express our concern. The unwarranted deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps on the streets of Los Angeles also signals a dangerous turn. As the bishops of California have written, these military deployments risk escalating the confrontations unnecessarily and set a dangerous precedent for future deployments that heighten tensions rather than resolve them. As Christians committed to strive for justice and peace among all people, we know that there is a better way. What we are witnessing is the kind of distortion that arises when institutions like the military and the State Department are turned on the people they were meant to protect. These mainstays of the federal government, designed to safeguard civil society and promote peace and stability, are now being weaponized for political advantage. The violence on television is not our only risk. We are also seeing federal budget proposals that would shift resources from the poor to the wealthy; due process being denied to immigrants; and the defunding of essential public health, social service, and foreign aid programs that have long fulfilled the Gospel mandate to care for the vulnerable, children, and those who are hungry and sick. With all of this in mind, we are finding ways to respond as Christians to what we see happening around us. We are exploring options to support litigation challenging the travel ban on the ground of religious freedom; advocating for federal spending that safeguards the welfare of the most vulnerable; caring for immigrants and refugees in our congregations and communities; and standing in solidarity with other faith groups. In short, we are practicing institutional resistance rooted not in partisan allegiance, but in Christian conviction. At its best, our church is capable of moral clarity and resolute commitment to justice. I believe we can bring those strengths to bear on this gathering storm. Churches like ours, protected by the First Amendment and practiced in galvanizing people of goodwill, may be some of the last institutions capable of resisting the injustice now being promulgated. That is not a role we sought—but it is one we are called to. In Geneva, I have been reminded that we are part of a global communion of hope in the Risen Christ. We do not stand alone as we live by our baptismal promises: to persevere in resisting evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. In these troubling times, may we find courage and resilience in our identity as members of the Body of Christ. Yours in Christ, The Most Rev. Sean Rowe Presiding Bishop The Episcopal Church
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Last Sunday, as part of our Pentecost celebration, Ministry Assistant Maddie Abbott invited the River community into a daily spiritual practice: find a place you pass each day — a doorway, a mirror, a subway entrance — and pause to pray the simple words, “Come, Holy Spirit.” This short prayer is rooted in centuries of Christian tradition — but it also resonates with radical movements of justice and renewal in more recent history. That’s why this week’s Resource of the Week includes two offerings that speak to one another:
Together, these two resources invite us to live more deeply into the reality that the Spirit is always moving — and always creating something new. Come, Holy Spirit: A prayer with deep rootsThe simple invocation, “Come, Holy Spirit,” has been prayed by Christians for centuries. One of the most well-known versions of this prayer begins: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Thy faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. This prayer, drawn in part from Psalm 104:30, became a central part of Catholic devotional life in the Middle Ages. It was often used to open classes, sermons, or times of discernment — especially when people felt uncertain or needed guidance. Its words express longing for God’s presence, but also trust in God’s renewing power. A related text, the "Golden Sequence" (Veni Sancte Spiritus), is a Latin hymn composed in the 13th century, traditionally attributed to Stephen Langton or Pope Innocent III. Still sung during Pentecost Mass today, it describes the Holy Spirit as consoler, rest-giver, truth-bringer, and joy-maker. While the shorter prayer and the hymn are distinct, they share a deep theological insight: that the Holy Spirit is not just a comforting presence, but a creative force — a Spirit who renews the face of the earth. Across centuries and traditions — from medieval monasteries to charismatic revivals — this prayer has helped people open their hearts to something beyond their own power. It’s a way of saying: "I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know what’s next. But I’m open. Come, Holy Spirit." Azusa reimagined by keri dayIf "Come, Holy Spirit" is a prayer of invitation, Keri Day’s book Azusa Reimagined: A Radical Vision of Religious and Democratic Belonging is a vision of what happens when that invitation takes root in the world.
In this powerful theological reflection, Day reclaims the story of the Azusa Street Revival — a 1906 outpouring of the Holy Spirit that began in a small, multi-racial Los Angeles church led by William J. Seymour, a Black Holiness preacher. What happened there was extraordinary: people of all races and economic backgrounds came together to pray, sing, speak in tongues, and experience healing. The revival spread rapidly, sparking similar Spirit-filled gatherings across the U.S. and the world. This moment marked the birth of the Pentecostal movement, one of the fastest-growing expressions of Christianity globally today. Its emphasis on the power of the Spirit, deep worship, and the full participation of all people — across race, gender, and class — was radically countercultural then, and remains vital now. Importantly for us: the River traces its roots to this tradition. We come out of the broader Pentecostal and charismatic movement — part of a lineage that believes the Holy Spirit is not just a historical idea but an active, present reality. While the River has evolved over the years as we’ve left the Vineyard movement and fully embraced the LGBTQ+ community, we continue to be shaped by that same conviction: that the Spirit moves among us with power, compassion, and creativity. In fact, we believe that it is an openness to the continued presence and work of the Holy Spirit that allows us to continue to grow and evolve as we continue to discern how we can best support and uplift all members of this community, during Pride month and every month. Keri Day invites us to take another look at Azusa — not just as a revival of individual hearts, but as a theological and political event. She argues that the Spirit at Azusa didn’t just transform people’s emotions or prayer lives — it disrupted structures of white supremacy, patriarchy, and economic inequality. It was a new vision of belonging, a Spirit-birthed community that defied the social order. In her words, Azusa offered “a radical social imaginary,” one in which the Spirit collapses hierarchies and invites us into a deeper, freer form of community. That vision speaks powerfully to the kind of church the River strives to be. Last Sunday, during River Roundtable, guest preacher Steve Watson mentioned a book that we love! In Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From, Meredith Miller explores how we can help children connect with a loving God in ways that are healthy and lasting, and casts a vision for how to do this even while deconstructing faith and/or not having all the answers. So much of what Miller talks about aligns with the approach we've been using in RiverKids/Youth for decades. It is wonderful to be able to have a book like this to recommend to our parents and volunteers! If you are interested in checking it out, we have a copy available in the River's Lending Library! And, we were also excited to discover that Miller has additional resources available for families and churches on her website. Things like a podcast ("Ask Away") where kids can ask anything about the Bible, and a weekly subscription-based newsletter ("Great Big Bible Story Walkthrough") that equips families to explore the Bible together in life-giving ways. We recommend checking them out! About Woven Most Christian parenting books are ready with exact practices every family should follow in order to raise obedient children. In this obedience-training model, faith is a wall, constructed brick by brick, as adults tell children what to believe and how to behave. But what if obedience is not the goal of Christian parenting? What if it’s our job as parents to instead help our kids get to know God and discover that God can be trusted? And what if faith is not constructed brick by brick, but rather woven strand by strand? Much like a spider’s web, in which anchor strands and internal threads combine to form a unique web, Woven can help children anchor to who God is and have faith practices that are rich, textured, and all their own. Kids need space to explore the Bible, ask big questions, and even change their understanding of God and faith along the way. With Woven, families can nurture the kind of faith that can flex and grow, be broken and repaired. This is the sort of faith that can stand up to the life a child will live, the doubts they will encounter, and the questions that will come up along the way. So many parents want to pass along their faith, but know that God is so much bigger than the list of do’s and don’ts they were taught about as children. They want to pass along a faith their child doesn’t have to heal from. Woven is the guidebook parents have been looking for. With a deep reverence for scripture and suggested activities to help your family grow in faith together, Woven is for parents who want to go beyond a list of do’s and don’ts and pass along a resilient faith based on genuine love for and trust in God.
As RiverKids Director Amelia Cunard was preparing for her sermon titled "Returning to the Mystery of 'I AM'," one of the resources she consulted was Karen Armstrong's book A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. If you are interested in checking it out, we have a copy available in the River's Lending Library! Armstrong has a fascinating story. After spending seven years as a nun, Armstrong left the convent and proceeded to distance herself from organized religion for 13 years. After this long break from religion, while on a television broadcast assignment in Jerusalem, Armstrong had a "breakthrough experience" that defied her prior assumptions. This experience allowed Armstrong to revisit her own faith and was the inspiration for virtually all of her subsequent work as a scholar of world religions. Interviews with Armstrong
Armstrong's Author Bio Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including The Case for God, A History of God, The Battle for God, Holy War, Islam, Buddha, and Fields of Blood, as well as a memoir, The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into 45 languages. In 2008 she was awarded the TED Prize and began working with TED on the Charter for Compassion, created online by the general public, crafted by leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It was launched globally in the fall of 2009. Also in 2008, she was awarded the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal. In 2013, she received the British Academy’s inaugural Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Transcultural Understanding. About A History of God Amazon.com Review: "Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides us along one of the most elusive and fascinating quests of all time—the search for God. Like all beloved historians, Armstrong entertains us with deft storytelling, astounding research, and makes us feel a greater appreciation for the present because we better understand our past. Be warned: A History of God is not a tidy linear history. Rather, we learn that the definition of God is constantly being repeated, altered, discarded, and resurrected through the ages, responding to its followers' practical concerns rather than to mystical mandates. Armstrong also shows us how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have overlapped and influenced one another, gently challenging the secularist history of each of these religions." —Gail Hudson
As Pastor Alison was preparing for her sermon titled "Making Sense of the Trinity," she found the Center of Action and Contemplation (CAC) to be a particularly helpful resource — one that you may find beneficial as well! Founded by Richard Rohr in 1987, the CAC "offers programs and resources that introduce Christian contemplative wisdom and practices—guiding seekers toward personal transformation and inspiring compassionate action in the world." Their offerings include daily written meditations, guided spiritual practices, books and other media, podcasts, events, online education, and the Living School (a deep immersion program focused on Christian contemplative traditions). If you want to narrow things down to one simple resource, we'd recommend signing up to receive the Daily Meditations (either daily or a weekly summary). CAC describes the meditations this way: "Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, the Daily Meditations offer reflections from Richard Rohr, CAC faculty, and guest teachers to deepen your spiritual practice and inspire compassionate action in the world. Each meditation invites you to embody a transformative presence in your life and community." Below are some of the CAC daily meditations that Pastor Alison considered when preparing her recent sermon:  At the River, every couple months we use a special service format that we call Conversation Church! Instead of hearing a sermon, we engage with one another through intentional, guided conversations. So often at church we sit side by side without truly getting to know one another. But during Conversation Church, as we sit around tables and approach conversation as a spiritual practice, we have the opportunity to learn about one another, to make new friends, and to deepen connections.
During the first round we typically start with introductions. We ask questions like:
Then, as the prompts progress, conversation deepens. Below are some of the questions we've discussed during recent Conversation Church services. Consider using them to help you start a meaningful conversation with a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor!
Below are some of our favorite quotes about conversation. We hope that you will find them inspiring and relatable! “The most important thing in all human relationships is conversation, but people don’t talk anymore, they don’t sit down to talk and listen. They go to the theater, the cinema, watch television, listen to the radio, read books, but they almost never talk. If we want to change the world, we have to go back to a time when warriors would gather around a fire and tell stories.” “Love without conversation is impossible.” "A real conversation always contains an invitation. You are inviting another person to reveal herself or himself to you, to tell you who they are or what they want." "Conversation doesn’t have to lead to consensus about anything, especially not values; it’s enough that it helps people get used to one another." “Find hard to talk to stranger. Terrible at chit-chat. Think people look at me funny then I start panic think have to be clever all of time. They not understand I artist, not entertainer! Magic of Bigfoot what happen when people not looking.” Last Sunday, we held a special service in honor of Earth Day! All of the elements of the service (songs, readings, prayers, sharing by River members, etc.) were selected to help us meditate on and celebrate God’s beautiful creation. And, after the service, we held an Arts & Crafts Fair to raise money for the important work of We ACT for Environmental Justice. During her message, Pastor Alison said this: "There are so many ways to encounter the God of Love, who is in us and with us always. Creation is one of these access points — an ongoing source of God’s revelation and presence. God’s beautiful creation has the power to teach us, to heal us, and to transform us. But only if we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. And only if we are collectively inspired to love what God has created — to honor, respect and care for this planet we call Earth." As we think together about ways that we can engage in creation care, we'd like to share one helpful resource: Happy Eco News. Happy Eco News was founded in 2018 to counteract the near-constant drip of negative environmental news by providing readers with positive information about the environment and the people working to improve it. Their goal is not to encourage folks to live in denial or to embrace toxic positivity, but rather to harness the power of hope. These are the beliefs that drive their work:
Happy Eco News recommends finding a balance between "awareness of challenges and plenty of reasons for hope." This approach, resonates with how we, at the River, often speak about the nature of life and faith.
So, when it comes to environmental news (and really anything in life), consider spending some time thinking about how you can better find a balance between awareness of challenges and reasons to hope. As you read positive news stories and allow them inspire you to take action. And be intentional about engaging with God's beautiful creation!  In her Easter message last Sunday, Pastor Alison spoke about the idea that resurrection is not the same thing as reversal. She said: "Just like Jesus was changed through suffering and resurrection, so too are we. In our resurrected selves, the marks of past wounds and the new life God breathes into us coexist and intertwine. We are made new without completely erasing the old. Jesus’s resurrection gives us hope that there is life after death, both at the end of our lives and after the smaller 'deaths' we experience daily. But this new life, breathed into us by the Holy Spirit, is not a simple return to how things once were. Instead it’s a movement forward into someplace new. Beauty and wisdom and goodness exist in the new terrain, but they may look very different. This seems to be the way that God works." Pastor Alison encouraged us to consider the totality of Jesus's life — to acknowledge that pain and suffering and death are all parts of the human experience and also to remember that God’s resurrection power is at work. Someone who really gets this complexity is Kate Bowler, an author and professor at Duke Divinity School. One of Bowler’s research topics was the American prosperity gospel — the belief that God guarantees health, wealth, and happiness. After writing a book on this topic, in a sort of tragic, ironic twist, Bowler was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage IV cancer at age 35. While she was in treatment and not expected to survive, Bowler wrote two memoirs about how her perspectives on life and faith had been fundamentally changed as a result of her diagnosis. Bowler discovered that “life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.”  Our short time on Earth is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. It is filled with weeping and laughing, and everything in between. It is beautiful and hard. And this is what Bowler explores on her podcast “Everything Happens.” Bowler interviews lots of interesting, insightful people, and talks with them about what life looks like in the “after.” Once we know that “life is so beautiful” and “life is so hard” — once we know that everything happens — what does it look like to live with that knowledge? If these are questions you're wrestling with, we'd recommend:
Today we want to share about a resource called The Book of Belonging, a new illustrated Bible created by Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor for both children and children at heart. Last Sunday, during our Palm Sunday service, we heard two stories from The Book of Belonging: "A Peculiar Parade" and "A Feast with Friends." This Sunday, during our Easter service, we will get to hear one more, called "A Surprise Visitor"! Here is a description of the book: A beautifully illustrated and inclusive Bible storybook that began from a question by author Mariko Clark’s young daughter, “Mom, does God love boys more than girls?” Written with a focus on wonder, contemplation, and identity, The Book of Belonging reflects the diversity of God’s family, the ancient roots of God’s story, and the depth of belonging we claim as God’s children. Because when it comes to the love of God, everyone belongs.
If you are interested in learning more we've included some pages from the book below and we also have a copy at the church that you are welcome to look at. We highly recommend The Book of Belonging for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of and encounter God in lifegiving ways through the Bible!
    This past Sunday, Ministry Assistant Maddie Abbott preached about finding meaning in our work — and about the fine line between honoring God through our labor and accidentally making work into an idol. Together, we looked at the story of the golden calf in Exodus 32 and asked some hard questions: How do we love the people right in front of us — our coworkers, our customers, our teams — without turning our workplaces into sacred altars? How do we discern whether we’re faithfully showing up for others, or just surviving the grind?
This week's resource picks up right where that sermon left off: a Forbes interview with David Miller, a professor at Princeton University and the founder of the Faith & Work Initiative. Miller used to be a senior executive in banking and tech, so he knows firsthand the ethical and emotional complexities of the workplace. In this conversation with Seth Cohen at the NASDAQ MarketSite, he talks about the real tensions people face when trying to bring their values — especially their faith — into their professional lives. Miller’s big question is: What does your Sabbath have to do with your Monday? In other words, how does your faith shape the way you live and work the rest of the week? He shares stories from his time in the corporate world, including moments when he had to choose between doing what was profitable and doing what was right. He also reflects on his students — many of whom, regardless of their country or faith background, want to work for organizations that make the world better. But that desire isn’t always easy to live out in practice. One of the most striking points in the interview is Miller’s call for workplaces to become “faith-friendly” — not faith-based, but open to honoring people's values and spiritual practices. He emphasizes that character and culture matter as much as compliance, and he challenges us to think about how our personal formation — by mentors, family, traditions — shapes the way we show up at work. A few takeaways worth pondering this week:
You can watch the full interview here! |
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