South Bend City Church

8.25 [TEACHING] Our Mantras, 2024 - Everyone an Icon

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 student in grades 6-12, you can register them, and your family, for the Student Kickoff happening on September 15 from 5-8p.
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.

8.18 [TEACHING] Our Mantras, 2024 - Practices, Not Performances

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 ReadingThe 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.

8.11 [TEACHING] Our Mantras, 2024 - Fields, Not Factories

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.

8.4 [CONVERSATION] When We Disagree (wk 4) - Zach's Story

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 University of Notre Dame. Zach, who shares some stories from his life, is the Care Pastor and Worship Associate at South Bend City Church, is the Dean of Students at The Portage School of Leaders, and pops up around South Bend to lend his voice to a variety of music experiences.
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.
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.
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

7.28 [TEACHING] When We Disagree (wk 3) - Restoration

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. The fund will be open until July 31st and every cent will be given to La Casa.
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.
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

7.21 [TEACHING] When We Disagree (wk 2) – Boundaries

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 11 and is open to our local and long-distance community members who are artists or creatives of any kind.
Last week, Brit Barron joined us. In case you missed it, you can pre-order Brit’s book Do You Still Talk to Grandma?
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.

7.14 [TEACHING] When We Disagree (wk 1) - Where We’ve Been

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 and is open to our local and long-distance community members who are artists or creatives of any kind.
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

6.30 [TEACHING] The Power of Helping Someone Else Belong (wk 3)

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 fund as we wrap up this fiscal year.

6.23 [TEACHING] The Power of Helping Someone Else Belong (wk 2)

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 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 fund as we wrap up this fiscal year.
Join the South Bend City Church Collective on Facebook.
Express your interest in volunteering at SBCC.

6.18 [CONVERSATION] Presence, Grief, and Hope in the Holy Land

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.