The biblical command to rule the Earth has been misused and abused by Christians leading to colonialism. What if we've misinterpreted scripture? What would the world be like if we loved the Earth as we loved ourselves?

Love the Earth as Yourself

How do we move forward when our spirit seems crushed? What are some contemplative practices to use to help us connect deeply with God, ourselves, and the world when we feel down and lost?

When Your Spirit is Crushed

Labor day began, not as a fun day off of work, but as a demand for justice in the face of oppression and labor abuses. The story of labor day connects with a letter the brother of Jesus wrote to early followers of Jesus that reminds us that our faith must be expressed through caring for people, otherwise our faith is worthless.

Labor Day the Jesus Way

The age-old argument about women's roles has largely been controlled by men who have misused and abused bible passages like Proverbs 31 to  control women. Let's look at a better way to read the passage that honors and elevates women.

The Misuse and Abuse of Proverbs 31

We are joined by founder of Missiongathering, Rev. Rich McCullen. Listen to his story of how overcoming abuse and exclusion as a child and as a gay man inspired the creation of an inclusive faith community. Our stories are part of God's larger story of creating wholeness in our fragmented world.

The Story of MG Founder Rev. Rich McCullen

Heart Scan Meditation: 0:00 - 3:50
Message: 3:50-19:37

In the face of tragedy we so often hear "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims." The Bible has a harsh and uncomfortable message for those of us who offer prayers without stopping violence and oppression. 

As we close out Mental Health Awareness month, how do we address our anxieties and fears in the face of injustice? 

Mental Health Resources: 
nami.org

Beyond Thoughts & Prayers

For those who live in the suburbs, how do we address social justice? Kyle Reynolds pulls from his doctoral research on cross-cultural engagement and his experience managing a non-profit food bank to talk about how we can lovingly move from pity to compassion.

Social Justice in the Suburbs

A Missiongathering member offers a path toward healing from fundamentalist Christianity by naming the challenge of biblical interpretation, our cultural lenses, and steps to reframe the harmful message we tell about ourselves.

Recovering from Fundamentalism: Spotlight on Sexism

Back to School!! We're in the season of learning, but even more important and more difficult is the practice of unlearning. How do we unlearn and become open to new ideas as a sacred practice? How do we overcome our own bias?

Back to School: Unlearning and Relearning

How do we have healthy conversations with people we disagree with around gender, sexuality, religion, or politics? What can Jesus teach us about how to influence others in ways that build trust and lead to growth? 

At the end of the message, hear Creative Lead, Jake Haber, share how Missiongathering has led to his next journey in progressive Christian ministry.

Back to School: Learning to Engage with People who Disagree

What can Halloween and Dia de los Muertos teach us how to process the spirituality of death?

Happy Halloween!

What if the Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love of Advent only emerge out of gratitude? What can psychology teach us about the spirituality of gratitude as a way of Jesus?

The Science and Spirituality of Gratitude

The birth of Jesus can feel like a cozy Christmas story, but 2,000 years ago the story was deeply political and provocative. What can this story tell us about creating peace, joy, hope, and love in our world? Our message is followed by a brief spiritual practice and guided meditation to help us cultivate joy.

A Cosmic Perspective on Jesus' Birth

Lent is a season of reflection, change, and growth, but guilt and fear have been used by Christianity to "change" people for over 1500 years. True, real change begins, not with guilt and fear, but with radical self-acceptance.

Acceptance is the Beginning of Change

"As a therapist one of my tasks is to listen to the undercurrent of the story someone is telling. What’s being said and what isn’t? I’ve started to do that with the stories I grew up with. When I think back to how women in the Bible were presented to me as a kid, so many of the stories were told in a way to show off their quiet grace and servitude, thoroughly stripping them of the rage or other big emotions any other human would feel in their place. We’ll take a closer look at some of those stories and what it means to more fully express parts of who we are." - Kate Creech, MACP, LMHCA

Divine Feminine Rage with Kate Creech

What if Easter points to something true in both science and spirituality? What if life, death, and transformation can help us live more meaningfully and bring hope to the world? Listen to our Easter message online from Sunday, Apr 9!

Easter Means Hope and Love for All

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! A recent Census Bureau report found that 1/3 of all adults and half of adults 18-24 struggle anxiety and depression, yet around half of U.S. churches rarely or have never talked about mental health. What can Jesus tell us about mental health? 

15:30 Loving-Kindness Meditation

Jesus Struggled with Mental Health Too

The record breaking anti-LGBTQ legislation happening in the U.S. is partly the result of people's interpretation of the Bible and their view that God created and approved of only two genders - straight male and straight female. 

But, did you know the biblical tradition of Jesus and ancient Judaism recognized four genders beyond male and female? What if the larger story of the biblical tradition is one that points to love and inclusion?

Yes, the Bible Honors Non-Binary People

*Content Awareness: Discussion of suicide and eating disorders.*

Missiongathering's Kevin Criswell shares his personal mental health journey that partly led him to a career in psychology, helping people develop the tools to cope with mental health challenges. Kevin's honesty and vulnerability in sharing his story is inspiring and hopeful for all of us who struggle with mental health. 

*He was not able to share this during the talk, but Kevin wants listeners to know that he advocates for the use of medication to help with mental health problems as it was beneficial for him as a bridge out of depression. Medication is not a replacement for good social relationships and therapy/counseling, but it can make a difference for some.

Mental Health: A Hopeful Path Toward Resilience with Kevin Criswell

Matthew 10:35 "I have a come to turn a son against his father." - Jesus. Happy Father's Day!

 "Traditional family values" have long been a cry of Christianity in America, but what if Jesus' sayings about the family actually challenge traditional family values? Maybe that's a good thing.

Father's Day: Jesus wasn't exactly a "family man"

We believe all trans people are beloved and that God is nonbinary! Hear Riley Aliamus share his journey toward discovering his true self along with practical ways to support the trans community. 

Riley's GoFundMe Page: 
https://gofund.me/ac22a98e

Trans Joy: My Journey to Becoming Whole

In June we celebrated LGBTQ Pride. In July, Americans celebrate USA Pride. On the final day of Pride month in June, the Supreme Court ruled that businesses could discriminate against a person based on their sexuality in the defense of religious beliefs. What happens when we value our own religious freedom above the humanity of others? 

Jesus placed people above theology and his actions were considered "sinful" by the religious elite.

When Sinning is Christ-like

I grew up with a view of faith that was tied to believing in God, reading my Bible, and believing the correct theology about God and the Bible. What if Jesus' view of faith and belief are different?

When Belief in God is Not Enough

Fall and the Autumn Equinox has had a profound impact on human cultures for thousands of years. What we can learn about the spirituality of Autumn and how to find balance in our lives?

The Spirituality of Autumn

The images of death and destruction in the conflict have been unbearable. How do we make sense of the horror? Did you know white American evangelicals support the Israeli leaders' response to Palestine more than any other group? Why? It has to do with the end of the world. Let's talk about some of the history of the conflict, its connections to American Christianity, and how to seek a compassionate response.

Israel & Palestine: How Do We Respond?

The only constant is change. Change is built into the universe and life on earth has survived by adapting to those changes. Yet, we are so afraid of change! 

Religions across the world, older than Christianity, have taught how to process change. How do we adapt to change in a way that makes our lives and the world more healed and whole?

The Spirituality of Adapting to Change

Happy Easter & Happy Trans Day of Visibility!

The first sermon in our "Unsung Heroes of Christmas" series for Advent. Pastor Brian looks at the role the Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, plays in the Christmas story, and how she becomes the first prophetic voice in the Gospel of Luke.

Advent - Elizabeth

Jesus wasn't born alone in a stable. It wasn't rich wise men who first visited him. Come learn the true story of Jesus' birth - one which centers on hospitality and welcome, and resonates with our own birth stories.

Advent - Hospitality

It is easy to allow the world to tell us who we are and who we should be - but this doesn't always allow us to be the people that God created us to be. Learn how to reconnect with your true self - the one that is good, capable, full of potential, and created in the image of God.

Reconnect - Self

Missiongathering is East Seattle's progressive, inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We want to be known for our love for others and we value questions more than answers. Join the movement with us as we strive to live the way of Jesus! You can join us for online services on Facebook or YouTube every Sunday at 10:30am PST. Check out the contact form on our website to get connected to our community or learn more!

Missiongathering Bellevue

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