In 2022, Kathleen Grift went back to college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. “I excelled,” Kathleen says, but “began tripping frequently and struggled to carry my backpack of textbooks. The diagnosis arrived at the end of the second semester. ALS! How could it be? I was 49 years old.”

♪ Writing about the appeal of progressive Christianity is a daunting task. Those labelled as progressive Christians have been seen as those on their way out of the Christian faith, those who don’t hold to the authority of Scripture, and the legitimacy of their faith is sometimes questioned by those within evangelical circles.

♪Christians agree that God promised land to Abraham’s descendants, but did God intend for that promise to extend forever? In a time of intense disagreement over Israel’s actions in response to Hamas, it’s helpful to consider our belief regarding the biblical case for and against Zionism.

♪In encounters with people with a disability, Jesus shows us:
1. That a person with a disability has autonomy and will—“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6).
2. That a person with a disability is not some angelic, sinless being, but like every human, is also in need of forgiveness—“Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).

♪Most of us know someone who is autistic, or you may be autistic yourself. Stephanie Fast, teacher and student, works to bring clarity to autism and presents ideas for making autistic people feel welcome in EMC congregations.

♪The sun ebbed, reflecting off the Sea of Galilee. Water lapped against the small fishing vessel, and the familiar cry of seagulls echoed overhead. A young rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, slept as his disciples conversed in low tones.

Then, in a moment, everything changed.

♪I was twelve years old when my best friend at the time shared with me that there was a place where you could go where you would feel awkward for not raising your hands in praise to the Lord while you sang. Hearing this was revolutionary for me.

Aside from my Christian faith, drawing, writing, and crafting are my defining feature. However, faith and art initially seemed incompatible. Many creative Christians live in this tension.

Citizens of heaven: Abundant Springs 2025 in photos.

♪One of the tasks when I began my job here at the EMC office was to examine our external partnership: which were beneficial and which should change.

♪Peace is your portion. Grace is your gift. Love is your language. Son or daughter is your identity. Heaven is your home. You are a citizen of heaven!

♪As I struggled socially and intellectually in the church and with faith, I felt there was some other category that might better anchor me.