Relive the magic of Haven’s Pre-Christmas Eve Candlelight Service! Join us as we sing traditional carols, hear a heartfelt reading of the Christmas story, a beautiful Godly Play Story shared by our Kids Director Debra, and experience the beauty of candle-lighting while singing Silent Night. Celebrate the wonder and hope of Christmas with us!
An Advent Word from John the Baptist
As we enter the third Sunday of Advent, Leah invites us to consider the profound message, “Do the good that is yours to do.” Drawing from John the Baptist’s bold words and the concept of a “centered set” faith, she encourages us to reflect on what inspires or challenges us, what resources we bring, and what actions are sustainable in our lives. This Advent, discover how the good you are uniquely called to do can bring light and love to the world.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
You Are A Blessing
Leah kicks off Advent with a reflective teaching on the theme “You Are a Blessing.” Exploring Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, Leah highlights how Divine favor begins with blessing, reshapes expectations, and empowers new possibilities. Through this lens, she invites us to embrace the truth of our inherent worth and consider the agency we hold in our own sacred journeys.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
PTG Is Also a Thing
In this closing teaching of the “Hurt to Whole” series, Leah introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG), the remarkable capacity of the human spirit to find resilience and even transformation after trauma. She reflects on her own personal journey and draws from trauma studies, explaining how adversity can lead us to new strengths, values, and connections. By examining stories of resilience from the Bible, Leah reminds us of a Divine presence that partners with us to bring good from harm. Encouraging the community to explore “What else is true?” she offers practical steps for cultivating resilience, including a radical self-love exercise. This final session is an invitation to embrace hope, wholeness, and the sacred growth that can arise from our deepest wounds.
Storytelling in Saftey
In this insightful teaching, Leah delves into the significance of sharing our untold stories as part of the “Hurt to Whole” series. She begins with a powerful quote from Maya Angelou, connecting it to the process of trauma recovery that involves safety, remembrance, and reconnection. Leah explains how the Christian faith itself can be seen as a post-traumatic tradition, rooted in the shared experiences of Jesus’ followers after his crucifixion. By revisiting the story of Jesus and Peter on the shore, she shows how safe, compassionate spaces allow stories of pain to be voiced, received, and reimagined. Leah encourages the community to build a trauma-informed culture, where healing can emerge through both spoken and creative expressions.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Our Bodies Hold Our Stories
In this special service, Leah bridges the themes of the “Hurt to Whole” series with Caleb’s renaming ceremony, highlighting the profound concept of embodiment. She speaks to how our bodies carry the imprints of trauma and, equally, the pathways to healing, emphasizing that true wholeness involves connecting deeply with our physical selves. Reflecting on the life of Jesus, Leah illustrates how the Divine chose to embody human experiences, from compassion to suffering, and how this embodied presence brought healing. By honoring our own stories and the wisdom in our bodies, Leah invites us to engage in a spirituality that is as physical as it is profound, following the example of those who live authentically in their truth.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
You can read Leah’s poem Our Bodies Hold Our Stories here.
Exploring Trauma and Healing
Join Leah as she leads us into the transformative new “Hurt to Whole” series, where she explores the deep connections between trauma, healing, and spirituality. Reflecting on her father’s experience with PTSD and her own year-long study of trauma care, she sheds light on how trauma affects our bodies, minds, and relationships. In this session, Leah tackles essential questions such as what trauma is, how it shows up, and how being trauma-informed can shape our spiritual communities. With compassion and insight, she also connects Jesus’ ministry to modern trauma care, offering pathways for healing and hope. Discover how we, too, can move from hurt to whole.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Reading Through Love
Join Leah as she concludes the "Sacred Sources" series with a captivating look at biblical interpretation. Drawing inspiration from the Greek god Hermes, Leah introduces us to the art and science of hermeneutics – the practice of deriving meaning from texts. She expertly guides us through various interpretive lenses used throughout history, from early Jewish and Christian approaches to modern liberation and feminist theologies. Leah then turns our attention to Jesus' own interpretive key, found in Matthew 22:34-40, which emphasizes love as the central tenet of faith. This enlightening teaching equips us with valuable insights for reading scripture through a lens of love, encouraging a deeper and more nuanced engagement with the Bible. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your biblical understanding and enrich your faith journey.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Someone Else's Mail
In this Sunday’s teaching, Leah starts off with a light-hearted anecdote involving a text message mix-up during an airport pick-up, highlighting the generational differences in communication. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the New Testament Epistles, a collection of letters that hold significant value in the Christian tradition. We delve into the context in which these letters were written, their intended audience, and the practice of pseudepigraphy, which sometimes complicates authorship. The message encourages us to discern which teachings in these ancient texts are relevant to our modern faith journey, particularly as we examine the universally accepted Pauline Epistle to the Philippians. Through this, we aim to find timeless lessons that continue to inspire and guide us today.
The Gospel Truths
In today’s teaching, Leah unpacks the complexities of the New Testament Gospels as part of the summer series, “Sacred Sources.” During seminary, many students face a pivotal moment when they realize the Bible’s formation is more complex than previously imagined. This often leads to a crisis of faith, but it can also lead to a more mature and nuanced understanding of these sacred texts. In this teaching, Leah explores what the Gospels are, how they came to be, and their significance. While the Gospels aren’t eyewitness accounts or direct transcripts of Jesus’ words, they are powerful, faith-driven narratives that offer us a profound connection to Jesus. By understanding the historical and literary context of these texts, we can approach them with fresh eyes and deeper reverence, finding new ways to connect with the life and teachings of Jesus.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Making Meaning with the Hebrew Bible
Discover the captivating story of the Bedouin shepherds whose curiosity in 1947 unearthed one of the most profound archaeological discoveries of our time: the Dead Sea Scrolls. Join Leah as she continues her “Sacred Sources” series, delving into these ancient texts, exploring their significance and how they shape our understanding of faith today.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
It's Our Bible, Too
Discover the transformative power of scripture in two poignant stories that span decades. From a freshman’s eye-opening Bible study experience to the unsettling rise of Christian nationalism, these tales explore how the Bible can inspire faith and compassion while also being misused to entrench bigotry and power. Join Pastor Leah on a journey through “Sacred Sources,” where she delves into the ancient, diverse, and sometimes ambiguous texts of the Bible, and learn how to reclaim its wisdom for a more just and loving world.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
(And to watch the video mentioned at the end of Leah’s teaching, click this YouTube link.)
Finding Wisdom
Join Pastor Leah as she delves into the intersection of spirituality and mental health through the lens of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). This teaching unpacks the "Wise Mind" concept, highlighting how Jesus embodied this balance of emotion and reason in his actions and teachings. Through relatable anecdotes and biblical stories, Leah explorse practical DBT skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Discover how these tools can help us stay grounded, connected, and focused on what truly matters in challenging times. Tune in for an enriching journey towards deeper wisdom and spiritual resilience.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
"What can stand in the way?" Insights from Queer Theology
Step into a journey of discovery with Lead Pastor Leah as she shares a heartwarming anecdote about her daughter's profound insight that reshaped her perception of God. Set against the backdrop of Pride Month, Leah leads us into the realm of Queer Theology, unraveling its significance in navigating complex aspects of faith and identity. Through the lens of author Patrick Cheng's nuanced definitions and author Mihee Kim-Kort's insightful perspectives, Leah invites us to explore the multifaceted meanings of queerness and its potential impact on our spirituality. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in a dialogue that challenges conventions and fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Divine.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Embracing the Spectrum of Belief: Understanding and Appreciating Diversity in Spiritual Thought
Embark on a transformative journey of spiritual exploration with this Sunday’s enlightening discourse. Inspired by personal encounters and sacred sites like the Temple Mount, our guest speaker invites you to transcend the confines of singular belief systems and embrace the richness of spiritual diversity.
Delve into "omnism," advocating respect for all religions, fostering appreciation for diverse beliefs. Challenge traditional boundaries, exploring dangers of misinterpretation and urging curiosity. Discover Hindu philosophy's wisdom in diverse spiritual approaches through "Ishta Devata" and interconnectedness. Reflect on parallels between quantum entanglement and spiritual interconnectedness.
Join us on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, where open hearts and open minds pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious world. Embrace the boundless potential of spiritual growth and interconnectedness, as we honour the richness and diversity of belief systems that shape our collective journey toward truth and enlightenment.
Review luca’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Navigating the Maze: God & Suffering
Embark on a soul-stirring exploration with Leah as she ventures into the depths of theodicy, seeking to unravel the tangled threads of suffering and faith. Reflecting on poignant personal moments and insights gleaned from her studies, Leah guides listeners through four thought-provoking models that grapple with the age-old question: where is God in the midst of suffering? From the traditional notion of "God's Plan" to the contemporary perspectives of divine empathy and human agency, each model offers a unique lens through which to view life's complexities.
Drawing from theological giants like John Calvin to contemporary thinkers like Thomas Oord, Leah navigates the intricacies of faith with grace and candor. Through poignant anecdotes and scholarly reflections, she invites listeners to ponder their own experiences of suffering and the ways in which they encounter the divine in the midst of life's storms.
As Leah shares her own evolving journey through the maze of theodicy, she offers not answers, but an invitation to wrestle with the profound mysteries of existence. Ultimately, she reminds us of the enduring hope that threads through our tradition—a hope that one day, all tears will be wiped away, and a new order of peace and wholeness will dawn.
Join Leah on this transformative exploration, and discover where your own path intersects with the eternal questions of faith, suffering, and redemption.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Navigating the Maze: Making Peace in a World of War
Embark on a transformative journey with Leah in her thought-provoking teaching series, "Navigating the Maze: Finding God in the Midst of Complexity," where she skilfully interweaves profound insights from Colum McCann's novel "Apeirogon" with real-life narratives of hope and reconciliation.
Drawing upon the poignant experiences of Basaam Aramin and Rami Elhannan, two fathers who transcended barriers of grief and animosity to become champions of peace, Leah offers profound reflections on the power of empathy, forgiveness, and collective action. From the early Christian ethos of pacifism to the complex moral frameworks of just-war theory, Leah guides us through the historical pathways traversed by Christians in their quest for ethical engagement with conflict.
But the journey does not end with historical reflections; Leah invites us to explore the emergent paradigm of Just Peacemaking, a holistic approach that transcends traditional dichotomies and calls us to embrace multifaceted strategies for sustainable peace-building. Through engaging discussions and insightful reflections, Leah empowers us to discern our unique role in fostering reconciliation and justice in our communities and beyond.
Join Leah in this illuminating exploration of peace and conflict, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary challenges, and where each of us is invited to be a catalyst for transformative change.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Navigating the Maze: The Blessing of the Doubter, Guest Speaker Cara Meredith
Step into the realm of faith and doubt with Cara Meredith, our special guest speaker, as she guides us through a rich exploration of Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ. In this week's Sunday service, delve into the complexities of belief and disbelief, as we unpack the narrative from John 20:24-31. Discover how Thomas, often labeled "The Doubter," embodies the struggles many face in navigating the maze of faith. Through Thomas's journey, we're invited to question, doubt, and ultimately encounter the transformative love of God. Join us as we journey together, exploring the depths of doubt and rediscovering the profound truth that God finds us in our moments of deepest need. This service promises to be a beacon of hope and a reminder that, despite the uncertainties of life, the path of love and faith remains steadfast.
Review Cara’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
Navigating the Maze: Finding God in the Midst of Complexity (An Easter Story)
Embark on a captivating exploration with Leah as she delves into the ancient Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur, seamlessly weaving it into our contemporary struggles in her latest teaching series, "Navigating the Maze: Finding God in Complexity." Leah highlights the challenges of navigating modern-day mazes, addressing collective trauma and societal fragmentation while offering profound reflections on faith's role in guiding us through. Join Leah on this transformative journey as we seek hope beyond the maze, finding connection, healing, and liberation in the presence of the Divine.
Review Leah’s notes here and listen to or watch the teaching below.
The New Green Line, Guest Speaker Connie Barker
Connie Barker is a white cis lesbian and former aspiring academic who has been living at the interesting intersection of Environmental Illness, Queerness, Disability and adult-onset Christian faith for almost 40 years. In this Sunday’s teaching, she shares some stories that hopefully have something to say about making peace.
Listen to or watch the teaching below.