South Bend City Church

Jason Miller - In this tense, difficult political moment, we're drawing wisdom from the Hebrew prophets and the prophetic voice of Jesus. This week, we wrestle with the temptation of power and the power of our ultimate allegiance. What’s Happening RSVP to our next New to SBCC Table happening in-person on December 15. Join us or register your family for Family Dedication, happening on November 17th. Get connected through our digital community tool, Discord! Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Jason Miller - On the eve of the one year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks, South Bend City Church joined kindred churches across the US in a Sunday focused on the dream of mutual flourishing for Israelis and Palestinians. This teaching included references to the following resources and opportunities: Across the Divide Podcast explores the intersection of the Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel and its relationship to the church in the West. Giving to The Telos Group's Peacemakers Fund allows you to directly support Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers and their organizations. Our South Bend Immersion allows you to learn about principles and practices of peacemaking in our local context.     What’s Happening RSVP to our next New to SBCC Table happening in-person on November 3. Join us or register your family for Family Dedication, happening on November 17th. Get connected through our digital community tool, Discord! Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fun

Jason Miller - As SBCC grows and evolves, we want our strategies and structures for church life to grow and evolve, too. This is the second half of our new vision for our life together. What’s Happening Join us for the SBCC Picnic at Leeper Park on September 29 from 11a-1p. For more information, or to give towards the cost of lunch, head to our website. After the picnic, head over to the NNN for the Art’s Cafe! RSVP to one of our next New to SBCC Tables happening via Zoom on October 7 at 8:30p ET or in-person on November 3. Check out our new website or get connected on Discord! Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Jason Miller - As SBCC grows and evolves, we want our strategies and structures for church life to grow and evolve, too. This week and next, we’re sharing a fresh vision for our life together.   What’s Happening Join us for the SBCC Picnic at Leeper Park on September 29 from 11a-1p. For more information, or to give towards the cost of lunch, head to our website. After the picnic, head over to the NNN for the Art's Cafe! RSVP to one of our next New to SBCC Tables happening via Zoom on October 7 at 8:30p ET or in-person on November 3. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Mariah Keener, Zach Gillis, and Kelli Bowser - After spending four weeks being reminded of our mantras, we spent some time in intentional practice. We encourage you to join us in this hour of reading, singing, art, and more, even if it's a bit outside of your normal, and we hope that by the end you feel more connected to these mantras, to yourself, and to the Divine. If you want to participate in the time of art, make sure to have some art supplies nearby. And if you are joining us in the Eucharist, make sure to have some form of bread or cracker and some form of juice or wine with you.   What's Happening If you have a student in grades 6-12, you can register them, and your family, for the Student Kickoff happening on September 15 from 5-8p. Join us for the SBCC Picnic at Leeper Park on September 29 from 11a-1p. For more information, or to give towards the cost of lunch, head to our website. RSVP to one of our next New to SBCC Tables happening in-person on October 6 or via Zoom on October 7. Support the ongoi

Jason Miller - We’re returning to our community mantras. These four portable prayers describe what we’re learning from Jesus about how to be human and how to be a church. This week, we talk about simplicity, focus, excellence, and beauty. What’s Happening If you have a student in grades 6-12, you can register them, and your family, for the Student Kickoff happening on September 15 from 5-8p. Join us for the SBCC Picnic at Leeper Park on September 29 from 11a-1p. For more information, or to give towards the cost of lunch, head to our website. RSVP to one of our next New to SBCC Tables happening in-person on October 6 or via Zoom on October 7. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Jason Miller - We’re returning to our community mantras. These four portable prayers describe what we’re learning from Jesus about how to be human and how to be a church. This week, we talk about the calling on all of us to bear the image of God, and to honor the image of God in ourselves, our neighbors, and even our enemies. This weekend we also had the chance to see this mantra in action as we celebrate a project we've been supporting for a couple of years. The Book of Belonging is a book of diverse Bible stories for kind and contemplative kids that focus on wonder, contemplation, and identity; because everyone belongs. To learn more about this incredible resource, we had the chance to sit down and talk with the author, Mariko Clark, before the teaching. Resources Pre-order The Book of Belonging by Mariko Clark. Order the SBCC Mantras print from our friend Scott Erickson. What’s Happening RSVP to one of our next New to SBCC Tables happening in-person on October 6 or via Zoom on October 7. If you have a s

Jason Miller - We’re returning to our community mantras. These four portable prayers describe what we’re learning from Jesus about how to be human and how to be a church. This week, we talk about performance pressure, having nothing to prove, how curiosity makes failure useful, and the importance of showing up. Further Reading The Holy Longing (Rolheiser) Unspeakable Joy (Holmes) Celebration of Discipline (Foster) Sacred Rhythms (Barton)   What’s Happening RSVP to our next New to SBCC Table happening in-person on October 6. Save the date for our SBCC Picnic happening on September 29 from 11a-1p at Leeper Park. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Jason Miller - We’re returning to our community mantras. These four portable prayers describe what we’re learning from Jesus about how to be human and how to be a church. Up first, we’re talking about the recovery of an ecological imagination for our life with God and each other. What’s Happening Sign up for a time to donate blood with the South Bend Medical Foundation. We will be partnering with SBMF on August 18th where they will have their mobile unit in our courtyard from 9a-1p. RSVP to our next New to SBCC Table happening in-person on September 1st at 12:15p. For the text version of our Quarterly Financial Update, head to our website. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Zach Gillis and Beth Graybill - In a world with so much relational strife, we are spending time talking about how to know when it’s time to bring that relationship to an end or, in some cases, when to lean in to restore and reimagine the relationship. This weekend, we take these ideas from the abstract and listen in on a conversation about how one beloved member of our community has had to lean in and out of different relationships in his life. CONTENT WARNING: This conversation tackles some difficult topics such as addiction, abuse, and marginalization. As always, please care for yourself well while listening, consider processing this conversation in community, or skip it until you can do either or both of those things. Beth Graybill and Zach Gillis both call South Bend City Church home and are actively involved in the greater South Bend community. Beth, who facilitates this conversation, is a collaborative consultant and storyteller that currently works as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at the Unive

Mike Goldsworthy - In a world with so much relational strife, we are spending time talking about, how to know when it’s time to bring that relationship to an end or, in some cases, when to lean in to restore and reimagine the relationship. This weekend, we reflect again on an instance of this happening in the early church when two leaders chose two different approaches to this question, and explore a framework for how we might think about the way we reimagine how we reengage relationships that have changed. Mike Goldsworthy is a speaker, resourcer, and guide with a passion for connecting like-minded churches and leaders. He also has a podcast, space for faith: re-imaginging the church for our current moment, and started the Post-Evangelical Collective. He is also a long time friend of SBCC and currently serves on our board. What’s Happening Help us partner with La Casa de Amistad to distribute backpacks with school supplies through financial support or sign up to volunteer for their event on August 3. Th

Mike Goldsworthy - In a world with so much relational strife, we are spending time talking about how to be in relationship with those that we disagree with or, in some cases, how to know when it’s time to bring that relationship to an end. This weekend, we explore an instance of this happening in the early church when two leaders chose two different approaches to this question, and we explore a framework for how we might think about the level of access and vulnerability we give to the different people in our lives. You can find the visual for this framework here. Mike Goldsworthy is a speaker, resourcer, and guide with a passion for connecting like-minded churches and leaders. He also has a podcast, space for faith: re-imaginging the church for our current moment, and started the Post-Evangelical Collective. He is also a long time friend of SBCC and currently serves on our board. What's Happening Get more information or submit your art for our Advent Guide. Submissions will be accepted from now until August 1

Brit Barron - In a world with so much relational strife, we are spending time talking about how to be in relationship with those that we disagree with or, in some cases, how to know when it’s time to bring that relationship to an end. This weekend we heard from Brit Barron as she challenged us in the importance of remembering where we have each been in our journeys and how to sit with ourselves, and others, in the nuance. Brit Barron is a co-pastor of New Abbey in Los Angeles as well as a speaker, teacher, and author. Her upcoming book Do You Still Talk to Grandma? invites readers to imagine the world beyond cancel culture and is an invitation to nuance. Both in our gatherings this weekend, and in her everyday life, Brit offers a path to holding onto our deepest convictions without losing relationships with the people we love. What's Happening Pre-order Brit's book Do You Still Talk to Grandma? Get more information or submit your art for our Advent Guide. Submissions will be accepted from now until August 11

Jason Miller - We’re spending a few weeks recapturing the power of an ancient Christian calling, exploring hospitality as the act that creates the conditions for someone else’s experience of belonging. In our final week, we’re learning to see hospitality as an act of faithful resistance against whole systems that war against the safety and belonging of people. To view the lyrics of the song North by Sleeping At Last, head to our website.  Ways to Get Connected We will be having a Sabbath Sunday on July 7th and, while we won’t have in-person gatherings or a podcast on the 8th, we hope you will join us in entering into seasons of rest. For more information on The Telos Group, head to their website. Get more information or submit your art for our Advent Guide. Submissions will be accepted from now until August 11 and is open to our local and long-distance community members who are artists or creatives of any kind. Give to our Care Fund or our Refugee Assistance Fund. You can also continue to give to our general

Mark Waltz - We’re spending a few weeks recapturing the power of an ancient Christian calling, exploring hospitality as the act that creates the conditions for someone else’s experience of belonging. In week 2 we’re exploring the human need for belonging and how each of us has opportunity and responsibility to invite those around us to belong. We’re unpacking a few hospitality best practices to help us move from theory to living it out. Mark is an author, leadership coach, guest experience expert, and the Director of Strategic Initiatives at A Rosie Place for Children. When he's not doing any of those things, he's most likely with his wife, Laura, his daughter, Liv, and his grandkid, Arlo. If you've been around SBCC in person, you'll most likely recognize him as the head of our greeters team. Ways to Get Connected We will be having a Sabbath Sunday on July 7th and, while we won’t have in-person gatherings or a podcast on the 8th, we hope you will join us in entering into seasons of rest. Get more information

Matt Graybill and Jason Miller - As we've watched and learned more about the experience of Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land, (including our church's own pilgrimage trip there two years ago), we've developed relationships with people there whose suffering we lament, and whose peacemaking work inspires us. Because of those relationships, we were recently asked to show up again in an act of solidarity, and Matt Graybill, our executive pastor, went on our behalf. Matt sat down with Jason, our lead pastor, to share his experience and help us all continue to pay attention to what's happening, and to do our part in the work of peace. To learn more from our partners at The Telos Group, check out their podcast channel.

Jason Miller - We’re spending a few weeks recapturing the power of an ancient Christian calling, exploring hospitality as the act that creates the conditions for someone else’s experience of belonging. It’s a calling on us as individuals and as a community, and it’s one that can make a difference in the world right now. Ways to Get Connected Get more information or submit your art for our Advent Guide. Submissions will be accepted from now until August 11 and is open to our local and long-distance community members who are artists or creatives of any kind. We will be having a Sabbath Sunday on July 7th and, while we won't have in-person gatherings or a podcast, we hope you will join us in entering into seasons of rest. Give to our Care Fund or our Refugee Assistance Fund. Keep an eye out for the conversation between Jason and Matt about Matt's solidarity trip to Israel and Palestine through The Telos Group. Help us finish our fiscal year strong by supporting the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general f

Mariah Keener - For our final week in Romans, we take time to reflect on some of the themes we've been exploring since the Fall. We are reminded that sin and death is at work in the world around us and within us, but that there is something even more powerful at work in the world: liberation. And in a world where relationships are fracturing and fraying, the power of this gospel is that we have been reconciled to God and each other and that we are called into community and belonging with one another, in spite of the differences that might keep us apart. We explore these themes through the practices of singing, reading, personal reflection, open floor, and Eucharist with excerpts from Romans. We would love for you to join us in these practices, so feel free to grab materials that help you in your personal practice. If you want to join us for Eucharist, make sure to have some form of cracker or bread and some form of juice or wine. For the songs and readings from today, please head to our website. Ways to Get

Jason Miller - At the end of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he concluded with a long list of greetings for people there. What does this list of people have to do with us today? Ways to Get Connected If you’re looking for help to sort through questions surrounding the Bible and theology related to LGBTQ+ identity and inclusion, we encourage you to explore the two teachings we’ve had to explicitly talk about these topics:  A Sacred Conversation: Sexuality, and Male and Female God Created them…. Or listen to the Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ People Panel that we had last year. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving

Jason Miller - As Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Christians in Rome, he reiterates his plea for them to accept one another as Christ has accepted them. What would happen if we took as seriously as Paul does the picture of God revealed in Jesus? Ways to Get Connected RSVP to a New to SBCC Table happening on June 2nd (12:15p in person) or June 3rd (8:30p EST via Zoom). Learn more or sign up for Student Tables (6th-12th grades) Join the South Bend City Church Collective on Facebook Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving