The power of coffee hour

The power of coffee hour

by Ralen Robinson The long table is rolled into the Narthex. The baked goods are artfully arranged. The coffee percolates in the coffee pots. The Pastor can be heard in the distance dismissing the assembly of people gathered Sunday morning for service. The aroma welcomes the people from the sanctuary to convene together for coffee […]

20 wise and surprising tips for surviving new motherhood

20 wise and surprising tips for surviving new motherhood

by Angela T. Khabeb My husband and I are expecting our fourth child. We have one daughter in heaven, two sons at home, and one daughter on the way. When we first brought our son, Konami, home from the hospital, we were honored to have such a precious gift. When we brought home our second […]

Cafe group: Love

Cafe group: Love

February 2018 Falling in love with me by Rozella Haydée White What would it looked like if we were totally in love with ourselves? Read more Faith reflections: Valentine’s Day by Angie Shannon Beyond the hearts and flowers this Valentine’s Day, what if we didn’t focus on finding the perfect relationship? Read more Download February […]

Valentine’s Day: Beyond flowers and candy

Valentine’s Day: Beyond flowers and candy

by Angie Shannon During my grade-school years, the bulletin boards were covered with red cupid silhouettes announcing Valentine’s Day. I took great care in selecting boxed Valentines for my classmates, addressing each tiny envelope in anticipation of the big day. In retrospect, it occurs to me that we had the kind of parents and teachers […]

Falling in love with me

Falling in love with me

by Rozella Haydée White I am totally, completely and passionately in love with me. Yes, you read that correctly. I don’t just love myself. I am IN LOVE with myself. This July marks six years since my divorce. It simultaneously feels like it wasn’t that long ago and like it was a lifetime ago. I […]

Dropping pretenses

Dropping pretenses

by Collette Broady Grund In the summer of 2011, everything in my life seemed to be coming together in just the way I’d always wanted. I was in love with my handsome professor husband. We’d been married for nearly ten years, and in that time, I’d finished my master’s degree and he had finished his […]

Offering a true apology

Offering a true apology

by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  — 1 John 1:8-9 So when you are offering your gift […]

Faith reflections: Finding Your People

Faith reflections: Finding Your People

by Laura Morrison When family is at a distance (either emotionally or physically), it’s imperative to find friends who understand you to your core. I’ll be moving across the country soon, from Washington state to Ohio. There, I’ll be new. I’ll be the one who doesn’t belong. But slowly, as time goes on, I hope […]

Finding your authentic community

Finding your authentic community

by Andrea Westby I’ve never enjoyed small talk. The idea of trying to hold a conversation with someone about paint colors, the weather or the best types of kids’ toys makes me anxious. It’s not that I don’t love people, but I find surface-level conversations so draining that I avoid them. As a doctor, I […]

Resurrection in relationships

Resurrection in relationships

by Sarah Scherschligt Rachel and I sat together at a café on a rainy Seattle morning. I’d flown across the country so that we could spend a couple of precious days together before she had her first child. On the cusp of her transition into motherhood, we felt a bit like Mary and Elizabeth visiting […]