Upcoming Coffee Break Conversations

Ebony Walden, the Founder and Principal of Ebony Walden Consulting and an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, joins the Coffee Break to share her vision for more equitable and inclusive communities. In this forward thinking conversation, we explore the structural forces that shape our neighborhoods and how people of faith can engage in the "sacred work" of urban planning. Ebony discusses the importance of dreaming collectively and how we can move from historical exclusion to a future of shared flourishing. We dive into the practical ways that congregations and local leaders can advocate for just housing, accessible public spaces, and racial reconciliation within the very systems that govern our city blocks.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Jennifer A. Craft, the Professor of Theology and Humanities at Point University and author of Placemaking and the Arts, joins the Coffee Break to discuss how our physical environment impacts our communal life. In this thoughtful conversation, we move beyond seeing art as a mere decoration and instead view it as an essential way of participating in God's creative work in the world. Jennifer discusses the theology of place and how the intentional design and care of our local spaces can become a form of worship and hospitality. We dive into the practical ways that neighbors and congregations can engage in "placemaking," using beauty and creativity to honor the history of the land and foster a deeper sense of belonging for everyone on the block.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Dwight J. Friesen, Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, joins the Coffee Break to discuss the vision behind his work in the "New Parish" movement. In this expansive conversation, we move beyond church as an event or a destination and instead look at church as a community woven into the fabric of a specific geography. Dwight explores the concept of "parish-mindedness" and why the local neighborhood is the most vital laboratory for spiritual formation and social change. We dive into the practical challenges and joys of being a rooted leader, learning how to listen to the unique "soul" of our blocks and how to cultivate a faith that is deeply responsive to the needs and assets of our actual neighbors.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello and The Ministry of Ordinary Places, joins the Coffee Break to share her journey of moving from a place of "fixing" to a place of "belonging." In this soulful and practical conversation, we explore why the most transformative neighborhood work is often the least impressive: showing up, staying put, and opening our doors. Shannan discusses the importance of being "findable" in our neighborhoods and how simple rhythms like walking the block or sharing a meal can bridge deep social divides. We dive into the spiritual practice of lowering our expectations to make room for God’s surprises, rediscovering the joy of living as people who are truly at home in the places where we have been planted.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Jonathan Brooks, the Lead Pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church, and Chelsea Johnson, the Operations Director at Parish Collective, join this inaugural Coffee Break to share the story and spirit behind this series. In this foundational conversation, we explore the core identity of the Parish Collective and why gathering leaders from different neighborhoods is essential for the health of the local church. Jonathan and Chelsea discuss the shift from seeing neighborhoods through a lens of deficit to seeing them as places of God’s abundance and presence. We dive into the practical hopes for this series: creating a space where neighbors can find solidarity, share wisdom, and be encouraged in the "long walk" of seeking the peace of their specific places.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Kate Toth, the Executive Director of Bricks and Mortals, joins the Coffee Break to share her expertise in helping congregations navigate the high-stakes world of real estate and property management. In this practical and insightful conversation, we move beyond the anxiety of dwindling numbers and aging buildings to explore the creative possibilities hidden within our physical spaces. Kate discusses the importance of starting property conversations early, finding reliable partners who understand the unique mission of the church, and the power of cohort-based learning. We dive into how church buildings in New York City and beyond can be leveraged for affordable housing, community centers, and shared local wealth, ensuring that the church remains a vital and rooted presence in the neighborhood for generations to come.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Kelley Nikondeha joins the Coffee Break to share insights from her life and her book, The First Advent in Palestine. In this moving conversation, we strip away the sentimental layers of the Christmas story to rediscover a narrative rooted in political upheaval, economic hardship, and the resilience of ordinary people. Kelley discusses how the themes of displacement, hospitality, and "defiant hope" from the ancient world speak directly to our modern efforts to build flourishing parishes. We explore what it means to practice a faith that doesn't look away from suffering, but instead finds God's presence in the margins and the "insignificant" places where life is being lived with courage and beauty.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Erika Thorne and Ranae Hanson from Grounded Faith join the Coffee Break to discuss how our relationship with the Earth shapes our relationship with our neighbors. In this soulful conversation, we move beyond abstract theology to look at the practical ways the land itself can teach us about resilience and restoration. Erika and Ranae share stories of how local communities are rediscovering their connection to the environment as a vital part of their spiritual journey. We dive into the intersection of climate care and parish life, exploring how we can become better stewards of the specific geography and ecosystems where God has placed us.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Lorenzo Watson joins the Coffee Break to share his heart for the work of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and the vital importance of being present. In this conversation, we explore the foundational philosophy of "Relocation, Redistribution, and Reconciliation" and how these concepts come to life in our local contexts. Lorenzo discusses the shift from doing things for a neighborhood to doing things with a neighborhood, emphasizing the power of local leadership and shared vision. We dive into how to maintain hope and persistence in the face of systemic challenges, rediscovering the joy of being a neighbor in the places we call home.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Rosa Lee Harden and Leroy Barber from Neighborhood Economics join the Coffee Break to share their vision for a more just and relational financial system. In this conversation, we move beyond traditional charity and explore how shifting our capital into our own neighborhoods can spark long-term transformation. Rosa Lee and Leroy discuss the importance of trust-based investing and the role of local leaders in creating sustainable community wealth. We dive into how faith communities and individuals can become active participants in the "neighborhood economics" movement, ensuring that every neighbor has the opportunity to flourish.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

De’Amon Harges joins the Coffee Break to share his profound journey as an artist, neighbor, and co-founder of The Learning Tree in Indianapolis. In this vibrant conversation, we dive into the heart of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), moving beyond the desire to fix neighborhoods and instead focusing on what is already possible. De’Amon discusses his vocation as a roving listener and why being needed is just as essential to human flourishing as food or shelter. We explore the transformative power of celebration, neighborhood parties, and how investing in local stories can lead to million-dollar real estate developments rooted in love and legacy.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Gill Sotu joins the Coffee Break to share his journey as an artist deeply rooted in community. In this inspiring conversation, we discuss how storytelling, poetry, and performance can serve as powerful tools for empathy and neighborhood reconciliation. Gill explores the idea that every neighbor has a story worth telling and that artists have a unique calling to help those stories surface. We dive into the practice of "creative neighboring", using our unique gifts to listen, create, and build a more vibrant and inclusive local culture together.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Jonathan Brooks (better known as Pastah J) joins us to discuss the core themes of his book, Church Forsaken. In this dynamic conversation, we tackle the "savior complex" that often plagues neighborhood work and instead look at how to become "asset-based" neighbors. Pastah J shares powerful stories of how investing in the local, the people, the history, and the existing businesses, is the most faithful way to seek the peace of the city. We explore what it looks like to be a community that stays, listens, and joins in on what God is already doing on the block.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Randy Woodley joins the Coffee Break to share insights from his life and work, including his book Becoming Rooted. In this profound conversation, we explore how modern life has disconnected us from the rhythms of creation and the specific histories of the land we inhabit. Randy discusses the "Harmony Way"—an Indigenous framework for living in right relationship with God, our neighbors, and the Earth itself. We dive into the practical spiritual practices that can help us slow down, listen to the land, and find a more rooted way of being in our local parishes.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Ben McBride joins us to discuss his book, Troubling the Water, and the courageous journey toward true community. In this conversation, we move beyond the surface-level idea of "inclusion" to explore the transformative power of belonging. Ben shares from his deep experience in peacemaking and neighborhood organizing, showing us how to stay present in the midst of conflict and how to actively "expand the circle" of our care. We dive into the spiritual and practical tools needed to dismantle the walls that separate us and rediscover our shared humanity right where we live.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Scott Erickson (also known as "Scott the Painter") joins the Coffee Break to share insights from his work and his book, Honest Advent. In this vibrant conversation, we explore the difference between "religious performance" and true spiritual awakening. Scott discusses how art can serve as a window to the sacred, helping us to see that God isn't just in the "holy" places, but is deeply present in the mundane, the difficult, and the ordinary moments of our parish life. We dive into what it means to live with an "honest" faith that isn't afraid of questions, but instead uses them to find a deeper sense of wonder and connection with our neighbors.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Rev. José Humphreys III joins us to explore the radical concepts within his book, Ecosystems of Jubilee. Moving beyond traditional charity models, José challenges us to see our neighborhoods as living, breathing ecosystems where mutual care and economic justice can flourish. We dive into how faith communities can shift from being "service providers" to true neighbors, rediscovering the ancient practice of Jubilee as a modern tool for community healing and restoration.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Shannan Martin joins the Coffee Break to talk about her book, Start with Hello, and the life-changing power of simple presence. In a world that often feels polarized or too busy, Shannan offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on how to practice hospitality without the performance. We discuss how to push past the awkwardness of new connections and find the "extraordinary" in the ordinary rhythms of our blocks, schools, and local sidewalks.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

In this soulful conversation, Tom Wuest dives into the "theology of place" that breathes through his music and ministry. Tom shares how we can cultivate a deeper attentiveness to the sacredness of our local geography—learning to see the holiness in the mundane and the music in our surroundings. We discuss the power of "songs of place" and how staying rooted in one neighborhood for the long haul changes the way we understand God, ourselves, and our neighbors.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

In this evocative conversation, Drew Jackson shares the heart behind his collections, God Speaks Through Wombs and Touch the Earth. We explore the intersection of poetry and the Gospel of Luke, discussing how the "poetic lens" allows us to see God’s work in the margins and the overlooked corners of our parishes. Drew challenges us to move beyond religious jargon and instead find a language that resonates with the real-life struggles and joys of our neighbors, reminding us that God is often doing something new in the places we least expect.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Seth Kaplan joins us to discuss his book, Fragile Neighborhoods, and the critical need to rebuild our "social fabric." In this conversation, we explore why many of our modern problems are actually neighborhood problems, and why the solution lies in a return to the local. Seth shares practical insights on how "sidewalk-level" interactions and local institutions are the primary engines for human flourishing. We dive into the shift from being a consumer to a citizen, and how we can all participate in the quiet, essential work of repairing American society one zip code at a time.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.

Majora Carter joins us to talk about her book, Reclaiming Your Community, and her pioneering work in sustainable real estate and economic development. In this conversation, we challenge the "success story" narrative that suggests you have to leave your neighborhood to be successful. Instead, Majora shares a vision for how we can create high-quality living environments right where we are by believing in the value of our own neighbors and local talent. We explore the intersection of self-worth, community pride, and the practical steps needed to build a neighborhood that flourishes from the inside out.

This preview is just the beginning of the story. If you’d like to watch the full hour-long conversation, we invite you to become a Parish Collective member and join us in supporting the work of neighborhoods everywhere.