Welcome to the Shalom Zone

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • October 1, 2024

World Communion Sunday

This Sunday World Wide Communion Sunday, when we come together in unity to celebrate God’s work through the global church. We will celebrate our work with other churches on the Northside in a program known as “The Shalom Zone.” 


Shalom Zone is an inspiring example of interfaith collaboration in action. Diverse churches – Allisonville Christian Church, Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, Epworth United Methodist Church, St. Pius X Catholic Church, The Garden, and First Friends Quaker Church – are driven by their shared mission to serve the community and build God's kingdom. 


Shalom Zone's activities are as diverse as its members. They host eco-film screenings with expert discussions, organize electronics recycling drives to promote environmental responsibility, and hold annual garage sales that fund local charities like School on Wheels. Recognizing the issue of food insecurity, they provide free lunches for children during school breaks. Furthermore, they foster a spirit of unity through an annual ecumenical Thanksgiving service. Through their support of SAWs, a non-profit that builds wheelchair ramps, Shalom Zone empowers those with disabilities to live independently and remain connected to their community.


World Wide Communion Sunday reminds us that while we may worship in different languages, cultures, and traditions, we are all called to share in the transformation of the world with the unconditional love of God. We will highlight some of the special projects The Shalom zone will be offering, and share how you can get involved. Join us Sunday as we celebrate coming together in The Shalom Zone.


Read the Bulletin

Devotional Moment


May the love of life fill our hearts.


Mat the love of earth bring joy to heaven.


May the love of self deepen our souls.


May the love of neighbor heal the world.


As nations, as peoples, as families this day,


may the love of life heal our world.


John Philip Newell

"Praying with the Earth"

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes February 23, 2026
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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.
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