Christ doesn’t invite us into a “melting pot” but a realm in which we do not need to conform. We are loved as we are in all our diversity and differences.

God didn’t “send Jesus to die.” God sent Jesus to love, even when we do evil to him. God sends us to love, not with a “plan,” but the intent that we love.

Jesus sends us out as his representatives, not with authority to judge people or the right to convert them, but the power to heal them.

The Trinity is not two men and a bird. God is the mystery of Lover, Beloved and the flowing Love between. We are part of God’s divine community.

Like when we breathe, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and make space in ourselves for it. Then we release it into the world, a stream of love from Christ through us into the world.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate”, essentially a defense attorney. God is not your judge or prosecutor. God is on your side.

In Christ God prepares a place for us in this life, this world, this moment. We are given this ministry of divine, extravagant hospitality to make a place of belonging for all people in the world– beginning in our church.

The Spirit invites us to still our hearts and listen so we can recognize the shepherd’s voice– and then to follow.