In her book, “Atlas of the Heart,” Brené Brown defines joy as “an intense feeling of deep spiritual connection.” She states that joy is characterized by a connection with God and others. Therefore, connection is fundamental to experience of joy. When have you expereinced joy in your connection with God and others while you were weary? This Sunday, we will listen to what the Bible has to say about joy in connection.

How does a weary world rejoice? When have you welcomed joy while simultaneously feeling anxious, afraid, alone, sad, or overwhelmed? What does joy do? How is joy different from happiness? This Sunday, we will listen to what the Bible has to say about these questions.

In days filled with conflict and frustration, violence and war, what does it mean to draw the circle wider by living into God’s blessing in our lives and being a blessing for others? Does blessing change us? Does blessing invite us to live differently? As we observe the Sunday in the octave of All Saints’ Day and as we join in the work of our Church Conference, we will discover together God’s blessing that is always drawing the circle wider still.