Pastor Brian's Blog

  “Flourishing” Series Summary (September 2025) The psalmist proclaims that the Earth belongs to God, yet our neglect of this sacred gift has led to ecological crises.   Robin Wall Kimmerer depicts the serviceberry as a metaphor for the flourishing of creation that deserves our respect.   Drawing on Scripture, Indigenous wisdom, and Kimmerer’s insights in The Serviceberry , we will examine how gratitude, reciprocity, and justice prompt us to care for creation.   Join us in September as we cultivate a right relationship with the Earth that leads to the flourishing of life. Sept. 7 | First Week of Creation GIFT ECONOMY: Most of us learned to say thank you after receiving a gift, but often we take the gifts of God’s creation for granted.   Robin Wall Kimmerer describes the serviceberry as part of a gift economy, where creation flourishes through generosity rather than hoarding.   In Genesis 2:4-8, 15-17, 19 , God assigns humankind the role of caring for the...

“Twisted Truths” Series Summary (Summer 2025) The Salem Witch trials, the Spanish Inquisition, excommunication, and burning people at the stake are some of the ways the church has dealt with heresy in the past.   We aren't taking that type of approach to distortions of Christian theology.   Often, these “almost truths” start with good intentions but ultimately lead away from the fullness of Christ's good news.   Join us this summer as we seek clarity with curiosity about six twisted truths alongside traditional church teachings so we can develop deeper discernment for faith in a world of competing voices. July 27 | Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time PELAGIANISM : Quid pro quo means something for something else, and sometimes we think we can gain salvation by doing good things.   Instead of salvation being something we do for ourselves, it is something God does for us and in us.   John Wesley was falsely accused of Pelagianism because he taught that good works ...

    “Living the Vision” Series Summary In a time of division, disillusionment, and fear, the church is called to offer something different: a vision rooted in Christ’s love, joy, and mission.   Recently, the United Methodist Council of Bishops articulated this vision for the church anew: we form disciples who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.   These aren’t just words but a way of life.   Inspired by Scripture and our United Methodist heritage, this vision invites us to rediscover who we are and who we’re becoming.   Join us in July as we explore what it means to live the vision of Christ’s transforming love in our lives, our church, and our world. Jul. 6 | Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time LOVE BOLDLY: In Mark 12:28-34 , Jesus invites us to love our neighbors as ourselves as one of the greatest commandments of the faith, but in our modern world, it can be difficult to show love to those who disagree with us, look different from us, or ho...

  “Faith + Film” Series Summary (June 2025) Movies can be modern parables that reveal our deepest longings, struggles, and hopes. They not only reflect who we are, but they can also offer glimpses of God’s presence in our world.   In our annual Faith and Film series, we will explore how some of this year’s Oscar-nominated films speak to the human desire for meaning, belonging, and wisdom.   The films that were chosen by Trinity Wilmette members include A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Flow, The Brutalist, and Wicked .   They reflect the stories that resonate most with our community. Join us in June as we engage these films through the lens of faith, discovering how they challenge, inspire, and point us toward God’s grace. June 1 | Ascension Sunday THE BRUTALIST : László is a visionary architect who flees post-war Europe to build a new future amid the trauma of displacement.   In Isaiah 54:9 14 , the prophet speaks of God's covenantal love, even when everything el...

“Becoming One” Series Summary (Spring 2025) Martin Luther King once called Sunday morning worship the most segregated hour in America.   In many ways, it still is.   Yet, Jesus prayed for unity among his followers (John 17:21).   Amid deep divisions in the church and society, Christ calls us to share in his ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).   Our faith and insights from social psychologist Christena Cleveland can help us understand the roots of division and how we can relate to those different from us.   Join us this spring as we explore the gospel of becoming one in Christ in a fractured world.   Apr. 20 | Easter Sunday HOPE FOR THE FUTURE : The risen Christ transforms the disunity of our world by restoring relationships.   In Colossians 2:6-9, 12; 3:1-4, 8-11 , Paul reminds us that if we are raised to new life with Christ, we are called to put away division and embrace a new humanity where Christ is all and in all.   The mutual ...