Release The Kraken

Release The Kraken

by | Nov 19, 2023 | Sermons

In this, the final sermon of Pastor Anne Robertson’s Monster series, she asks us to consider why we might actually need monsters. Pastor Anne reflects on an essay by philosopher, writer, activist, and professor of psychology, Bayo Akomolfe

. “I say, ‘Release the Kraken!’ Unleash the primal on the familiar, disturb the edges, dispute the layers, find a place of stillness, press your ears to the ground to feel the rumblings of things outside your philosophy, linger by the shrubbery, improvise new rituals, pay homage to the nonhuman, and acknowledge the wilds whence you came.” —Bayo Akomolafe

Be sure to watch all the way to the end to see and hear our choir perform the Finale from Les Miserables. Soloists include James Guiterrez and Jenny Zuk, as well as Bryan Hilliard on trumpet and flugelhorn.

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The Monster Within

The Monster Within

by | Nov 12, 2023 | Sermons

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Werewolves, Vampires—these are all people who transform into monsters under certain circumstances. The warning they carry is that no human being is immune from taking a monstrous turn if the stars align; the struggle with our inner shadow is universal. How can we keep our own inner monsters in check?

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Saints and Heroes

Saints and Heroes

by | Nov 5, 2023 | Sermons

For All Saints Day, we will be remembering the saints of Crawford that we have lost. As we move into the final three weeks of Faith in an Age of Monsters, we will also take this week to look at not just saints, but heroes—those who fend off life’s monsters on our behalf or inspire us to become heroes ourselves.

The subject of heroes is more complex than you might think. To better explore the nuance, I have invited Sal Caraviello to join me in conversation on the topic instead of a traditional sermon. While Sal and I have talked through some general questions, the conversation during worship will be unscripted in the hopes of helping us all find some better questions rather than definitive answers.

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Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead

by | Oct 29, 2023 | Sermons

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that mirrors the Christian celebrations of All Saints and All Souls on Nov. 1 and 2. I use the word “mirror” intentionally, because Día de los Muertos encourages us to look at the same thing (remembering those who have died) from a different angle. While our remembrances are typically serious and somber, the Mexican tradition is joyful and fun. Death is the ultimate monster. What can we learn from this celebration by our southern neighbors? Speaking of neighbors, the music that precedes this sermon was written and performed by one of our neighbors, Randall Kromm. You can hear more of Randall’s music on his website,https://www.randallkromm.com

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Barbarians At The Gate

Barbarians At The Gate

by | Oct 22, 2023 | Sermons

Legend has it that Alexander the Great constructed gates at the border of his empire to keep the “monster races” out. How do people of faith deal with the monsters created by society through racism, xenophobia, ableism, and other kinds of difference?

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Jaws

Jaws

by | Oct 15, 2023 | Sermons

This week’s monsters are real—that is, they are (or were) real creatures. What they have in common is their tendency to kill, and often eat, human beings. They are the apex predators of our world. Many are already extinct, and more are critically endangered. Can we learn to share a planet with creatures who see humans as prey? What happens if we don’t? What does the Bible have to say about it?

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