You can watch the video below to hear Rev. Walker's direct words about church, discipleship, and overcoming fear.  

For those who do not know, communion is a time a worship service or home visit where we eat a small piece of bread, sometimes a wafer, and drink some wine or grape juice.  We do it because of this passage in 1 Corinthians.  Early Christians celebrated that ritual.  It means different things to different people at different times.  We, as Lutherans, believe that Jesus is present in, with, under, and around the bread and wine.  We believe that in the gathering community and speaking of the words and God's promises, Jesus' spirit comes alongside, and therefore alongside us.  This means everything to me and my ability to live well with physical suffering, chronic illness, and disability.  What happens in this meal is a little mystical, a little magical.  It is a moment, an event, that involves a Pastor (usually, but not always), God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the gathered community, and the relationship between a person and their Savior.  It is full and complicated, and no words or one way of describing it will ever encompass all of what is means that Jesus said to do this, God attached promises to it, and it includes bread and wine.  I hope you find healing in what this ritual means to me, and discover what it can mean for you, too.  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.  

Text is John 12:1-8, Mary anoints Jesus' feet.  Teaching and discussion on intent, impact, and the importance of bodies to Jesus.  Mentions of toxic charity.  Enjoy! 

What happens when we imagine ourselves as each character in the Prodigal Child story?  Listen for ways this story connects to your life, and for the ways the Queer community has a unique perspective on the story, and they've often had to leave their families and hometowns. Text isLuke 15: 1-3, 11b-32.

Islaphobia is the enemy of the cross.  The one where Jesus gave everything up so that we could have life.  So that we could face death-dealing messages of the world, and respond to them with self-sacrificing love.  Hate is NEVER the way of the cross.  Love and sacrifice are the ways of the cross, and they always call us to love our neighbors as ourselves.  For the passages, read Luke 13.31-35 and Philippians 3:17-4:1. For the news story, seethis article. Also, learn about Jesus referring to himself in feminine terms and about how NOT to misuse scripture to hurt others.