Zao MKE Church

Liberating the Bible with Rev Dr Jay Williams

Liberating the Bible: A Radical Reimagination of Scripture as a Story of Liberation, a Song of Freedom

God loves us into freedom and God's story is a story of liberation. Although the Bible has been used to do much harm, Jesus -- the living Word of God -- still saves us and redeems us when the written word of God (the Bible) doesn’t go all the way. Jesus is the liberating key that unlocks so much possibility and potential to imagine the new world that we are co-creating as we listen to the voice of the still-speaking God.

We are thrilled to have the brilliant Rev Dr Jay Williams of Union Church in Boston. Jay is the out queer Black pastor of one of the most prominent historically Black United Methodist Churches in the country.

It's Complicated: Modern Love

After spending weeks in the beautiful love stories of the Bible (reading from a feminist, queer, anti-racist lens), we'll reflect on what scripture has to offer our own modern love stories.

It's Complicated: David & Jonathan

Rounding out our profile of Biblical couples is David and Jonathan. As a prominent king, David had many wives and sexual partners. But scripture notes something different about this one relationship, uniquely noting: "Jonathan loved David"

Celebrate love between men as we explore the complicated (and beautiful!) relationship of Jonathan and David.

Break Free: Justice and Healing

This week, community member Wallie Walldiferus will join Pastors Cameron Malakai and Jonah Overton for a conversation about justice work as Christian discipleship, and how the process of breaking systems of oppression invites us into personal, inter-personal, and systemic healing and wholeness.

#Blacklivesmatter #PrideMonth

It's Complicated: The Ethiopian Eunuch

Black, trans, queer, and in search of Holy Truth - the Ethiopian Eunuch has a complex and beautiful identity and story. At the time, the temple would have forbidden this person from seeking love fully as themself. But on the road home, through the words of prophets and the faithfulness of disciples, they discover a new way to be fully them, and fully loved.

Hear Pastor Cameron Malakai reflect on this important passage from his own experience as a Black, queer, trans man.

#PrideMonth #Blacklivesmatter

It's Complicated: Ruth & Naomi

Next up in our relationship series, Ruth & Naomi! The classic "best friends" who "cleave to one another" and pledge "wherever you go, I will go."

We see you and that Uhaul, Ruth and Naomi. Lots of us have had "best friends" too. Come celebrate queer love, love between women, love across ethnic lines, and the beauty that all of it is represented in the Bible.

#PrideMonth #Blacklivesmatter

06.07.2020 Uprising

Happy pride to all! Excited to see you in the streets for BLM the way we are this weekend each year for Pride!

 

Taking a break from our relationship series, this Sunday's worship will feature a dialogue with Pastor Cameron and Pastor Jonah about uprising, faith, and #blacklivesmatter.

05.31.2020 It is Complicated: Rebekah and Isaac and Riots

Two weeks into our relationship series, the world is in the streets. We'll still spend some time learning from Rebekah and Isaac about finding your people in a new land, clinging to family (chosen and otherwise) in a world that isn't made for you, and the beauty of leaving home to come to a new one. But we'll also hear from Pastor Jonah about their time in the streets this week, and meditate on the holiness of protest, including rioting and civil disobedience.

 

05.24.2020 It's Complicated: Tamar & Judah

After tipping the hat last week to Tamar and the often misinterpreted sins of Onan (one of her husbands), this week we'll dive into the whole messy story: marriage, deceit, sex work, and Tamar's righteous pursuit of economic justice. What does the Bible have to say about relationships? Well ...it's complicated.

Launching a new relationship series!
Using an intersectional, feminist, queer, and anti-racist lens, we'll examine some complex intimate relationships from the Bible.

...it's complicated:
May 24th: Tamar & Judah
May 31st: Rebekah & Isaac
June 7th: David & Jonathan
June 14th: Ruth & Naomi
June 21: The Ethiopian Eunuch
June 28: Modern Love

05.17.2020 Wisdom: Song of Songs

This week, we explore the erotic poetry of the Bible, Song of Songs! Yes, you read that right - erotic poetry. This holy text invites us to embrace both sensuality and sexuality in our experience of life, love, and the divine. Also, many dirty fruit references 🍑🍇🥰