Our Kaleidoscope Community

April 2, 2024

Jesus at the Gender Clinic

Join us April 14 when we welcome guest Patrix Carmen Daugherty from Kaleidoscope and Roberts Park UMC. After the service, there will be a presentation on #SelfMade, an innovative new service designed for transgender and non-binary individuals.


Pastrix Carmen Daugherty serves as Executive Director of Our Kaleidoscope Community, Inc., a newly formed nonprofit organization and the first extension ministry of its kind in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kaleidoscope’s mission is to prioritize and elevate queer voices, celebrate the vastness of human diversity, and reclaim our trust in Love by gathering in intersectional community. 


Pastrix Carmen lives in central Indiana and received their Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. They serve under appointment at the pleasure of the Bishop at OKC as well participate in the life of Roberts Park UMC as their connectional church.


Pastrix* Carmen and her partner were college sweethearts and they have three amazing children together. They have a set of rainbow twins, a girl and boy, born 14 minutes apart from different uteri, in different hospitals, and a younger daughter. They are very proud of their queer and diverse family! In her spare-time, Pastrix Carmen enjoys throwing pottery, gardening, getting tattoos and everything queer.


*Rev. Carmen Daugherty embraces the title, "Pastrix", which author Nadia Bolz-Weber reclaims in her book, Pastrix, a messy, beautiful, prayer-and-profanity laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith. The term Pastrix (pronounced “pas-triks”) has historically been used by some Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors. (Source here)

The Universal Christ

February 2, 2026
With The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr presents a vision of Christ not as a figure confined to Jesus alone or to Christianity, but as the eternal, cosmic presence of God permeating all creation from the beginning. Rohr distinguishes between Jesus (the historical person) and Christ (the divine reality revealed through Jesus). He argues that Jesus is the “first incarnation,” present in every person, place, and particle of the universe. Drawing on Scripture—especially John 1, Colossians 1, and Paul—along with early Christian mystics and contemporary science, Rohr reframes salvation. Rather than describing it as rescue from a fallen world, he presents salvation as awakening to the divine presence already within and among us. This universal, incarnational vision invites a way of life grounded in compassion, solidarity with suffering, and participation in the healing and transformation of the whole world. Rohr’s approach also offers a theological grounding that aligns with The Garden’s emphasis on finding the sacred in the ordinary and celebrating a universal spiritual nature. Come explore this with us Sunday at The Garden.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

By Betty Brandt • February 2, 2026
A stirring reflection on the Black National Anthem’s enduring message of hope, unity, and the pursuit of freedom—honoring Black History Month through song and story.

A Community Celebration of Dr. King’s Life and Vision

By Betty Brandt • January 29, 2026
Reflections on a community celebration honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with powerful storytelling, music, and recognition of local justice work, hosted by northside Indianapolis Shalom Zone churches.

Go Nowhere With Me

By Betty Brandt • January 29, 2026
A gentle reflection on the spiritual practice of stillness—inviting readers to pause, notice, and embrace the quiet beauty of going nowhere during Lent.

Hello, Sun in My Face

By Betty Brandt • January 27, 2026
Learning to Greet the Day With Wonder

Been There, Done That

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 27, 2026
As February 2nd approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on Groundhog Day—a moment filled with anticipation and hope. Just like that furry little creature who predicts the end of winter, we often face our own shadows and uncertainties. Are you tired of the cold and darkness, yearning for the warmth of spring? Maybe you’ve felt stuck in a season that just won’t seem to shift, repeating the same patterns and wondering when change will come. This Sunday, we’ll explore how to step forth in faith amidst life's challenges, seeking light and renewal even when the world feels overwhelming. Come as you are, and let’s lean into transformation together. Don't miss this opportunity to gather in community and discover ways to embrace hope and resilience! See you there!

Stop, Drop, Enroll

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 20, 2026
In elementary school, we learn the life-saving phrase “stop, drop, and roll.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that can literally save lives. This phrase resonates with me when I reflect on Jesus’ call to his first disciples. He calls these fishermen right in the midst of their daily routines to stop everything and embark on a mission that would transform their lives forever. This Sunday, let’s take a moment to pause and consider what could happen if we were to stop, drop our distractions, and enroll in the invitation to live our best lives. Join us as we explore how answering this call can ignite a profound change within us!

Beloved Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 13, 2026
When the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s, it found a powerful champion in Martin Luther King Jr., who drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau. Ghandi successfully used nonviolent resistance to free India from British colonial rule, and Henry David Thoreau coined the phrase "Civil Disobedience," arguing that individuals have a moral duty to refuse cooperation with unjust laws. King advocated for nonviolent resistance as a transformative force for justice and equality. His philosophy centered on love, moral courage, and disrupting unjust systems—not through hatred or violence, but through the redemptive power of unearned suffering.  King's approach was far from passive. Through boycotts, marches, and civil disobedience, he actively resisted evil while refusing to humiliate opponents. His goal was to defeat injustice itself, not the people perpetuating it, and to awaken understanding that could convert adversaries into allies. This courageous method aimed to create what King called the "Beloved Community"—a society built on reconciliation and mutual respect. On Sunday, we will remember MLK's legacy and consider how we can continue building beloved community through our own peaceful revolution.

Let's Get Started

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • January 6, 2026
Join us this Sunday for a hope‑filled gathering as we pause to celebrate where The Garden has been and dream boldly about where God is leading us next. It’s a moment to breathe, to remember, and to imagine—together. We’ll look back on our first season in our new home at FCIndy, celebrating the programs, services, and community partnerships that have helped us take root and flourish. We’ll revisit the seeds planted during our 2025 Greenhouse Challenge and share a special announcement you won't want to miss: a new initiative designed to spark creativity, deepen connection, and nurture growth in the year ahead. Through shared visioning and prayer, let's listen for God’s whisper and step into the future with courage, curiosity, and mindful, determined joy. Come be part of this uplifting service "Let's Get Started" for the journey still unfolding.

Finding Our Way

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • December 29, 2025
Today, with GPS at our fingertips, most of us rarely unfold a map—let alone look up to the stars. We navigate by screens that pull our attention downward, keeping our focus just a few inches from our faces. This Sunday, we’ll take a step back in time to when travelers—like the Magi—lifted their eyes to the night sky for direction and inspiration. As we enter the season of Epiphany, we’ll explore what it means to look up again, to notice the light around us, and to follow the kinds of “stars” that guide us toward meaning, connection, and the places that feel most sacred in our lives. Join us Sunday for “Finding Our Way.”