Worship leadership and sermon at First Church Phoenix UCC on April 26, 2026. Scripture Base: Jeremiah 31:31-34 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Sermon starts at 35:45 Introduction: The Invisible Thread Friends, seekers, and members of this beautiful First Church family - today we are talking about the very thing that holds the walls of this sanctuary up. I don’t mean the literal stone, the desert-baked wood, or the mortar that Omah, Max and the team here so faithfully maintain. I a

As I approach the end of my path toward ordained ministry, I find myself standing in a sacred space of reflection. Currently, I am serving as a pastoral care intern at the Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas - a place that is not only the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ - centric church but also a vibrant beacon of what it means for queer people to repair the often toxic and abusive relationship that many of them had with the churches of their past and reclaim the love of God as their b

For decades, a specific label has drifted through theological circles, often met with either a sigh of relief or a scoff of derision - Progressive Christianity . It is a term usually used to describe a movement focused on social justice, the inclusion of the marginalized, and an emphasis on the "Sermon on the Mount" over rigid dogma. However, as the global political and religious landscape shifts under our feet, it is becoming increasingly clear that this label might be a mis

Throughout history, there has been a recurring tension between the Jesus of the Gospels and the "Messiah" people want him to be. This disconnect wasn't just a problem in first - century Judea - it is a central struggle in modern American faith today. The Ancient Expectation: A Lion of Judah In biblical times, the Jewish people lived under the crushing weight of Roman occupation. Naturally, their expectations for a Messiah were shaped by their immediate suffering. They looked

The United Church of Christ's (UCC) Committees on Ministry (COMs) currently lack specific guidance on addressing individuals in ethically non-monogamous (ENM) relationships in authorization and adjudication. Grounded in the UCC's core principles of covenant, extravagant welcome, and justice, these guidelines assert that the ethical practice of relationships, rather than their structure, is paramount. By applying existing frameworks like the Manual on Ministry , the Marks of F

The landscape of religious freedom and child safety shifted significantly with the recent Supreme Court decision affirming conversion therapy. While many advocates for LGBTQ+ youth hoped for a definitive end to these practices, the legal conversation has taken a troubling turn. When courts suggest that banning conversion therapy—a practice rejected by every major medical and mental health organization—might violate "free speech," they inadvertently (or not) create a loophole

In the progressive church, we proudly affirm diverse identities and seek to include those historically excluded or harmed by religious institutions. Yet, as I embark on my journey in ministry, I often encounter feedback suggesting that being open about my relationships structure—ethical non-monogamy—is somehow "inappropriate." This criticism reflects an underlying adherence to normative values, where anything perceived as outside the bounds of societal norms is often viewed a

I recently received a message from a woman on Facebook who is navigating a journey she never anticipated—discovering her queerness after years of marriage and family life. She shared her story with me, describing the profound support she has received from her husband, who embraced her truth as she began exploring relationships with women. Now, years later, she is both still married to the same wonderful man and in a relationship with a girlfriend, yet she struggles with guilt

Date: March 8, 2026 (Fourth Sunday in Lent) Location: First Church Phoenix UCC Scripture: Matthew 19:13 - 15; Proverbs 31:8 Sermon starts at 42:45 I. The Coffee Shop Covenant: An Instinctive Love As we gather on this Fourth Sunday in Lent, we find ourselves at a crossroads of the heart. Our Lenten journey can often feel like an internal, somber trek toward the crucifixion. But this Fourth Sunday is traditionally called Laetare Sunday - coming from the Latin word for "rejoi

Stepping into my first verbatim presentation for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) felt a bit like walking onto a stage without a script. For those unfamiliar, a verbatim is a detailed, written account of a pastoral encounter - word for word, pause for pause - presented to a supervisor and a small cohort of peers for intense reflection. It is an exercise in vulnerability, and I am deeply grateful that my professor and my cohort met that vulnerability with incredible support a

In my years as a Member in Discernment, I have come to understand that prophetic witness is a far larger part of ministry than I ever imagined. This realization has deepened especially in recent times, when the call to stand for justice has become urgent and unavoidable. The prophetic voice is not just about preaching or teaching; it is about speaking truth to power, even when that truth puts us at risk. This is a ministry that demands courage, conviction, and a willingness t

I’ll never forget the cold shock that hit me when the results of the Harvard Implicit Association Test flashed across the screen. I had gone in with such a smug sense of confidence, honestly expecting to be in the tiny percentage of people who registered as neutral or even, dare I hope, pro-people of color. I mean, my entire professional life is steeped in anti-racism work; I chair a program dedicated to Decentering Whiteness in the church, and the people I love and trust mos

This service, "Living Legacies," from October 19, 2025, at First Church UCC in downtown Phoenix, explores remembering ancestors and fanning the flame of God's gift within us. Led by Christopher Schouten, Member in Discernment, the service includes sacred stories, songs of praise and worship, and a prayer of transformation. Dr. Johnathan Robinson shares an ancestor story, and Christopher Schouten delivers a message on "Living Legacies," emphasizing forgiveness, nurturing heali

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TH10608: Ethics and a Life of Meaning - Reflection Paper Christopher Schouten July 7, 2025 Introduction The recent Supreme Court...