Garet Prior

Garet explored how environmental justice is a faith issue, showing that climate impacts fall hardest on the poor and marginalized. Drawing from Scripture and his urban planning work, he highlighted how cities like Wilsonville reflect broader systemic inequities. He called for practical, local action—like planting trees and improving housing—to live out our faith. The sermon ended with a powerful poem honoring all forms of motherhood.

What happens when the person with the most power seeks out the one with the least? Garet dives deep into the story of the Samaritan woman at the well—unpacking layers of race, gender, class, and power that still echo today. With storytelling, humor, and disarming honesty, he asks what it really means to be “othered,” and how Jesus subverts every norm to offer dignity and connection instead. If you’ve ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or overlooked, this is more than a story—it’s a challenge to see others differently and remember that no one is beyond belonging.

From a Roman prison, Paul’s letter to a small, struggling church in Colossae brims with wisdom and encouragement—reminding us of the power of recognition and connection. In this exploration of Colossians’ opening chapter, we’re invited to see the parallels between Paul’s call for unity and the work of community organizing today. Starting with small groups—just a handful of committed individuals—Paul’s vision grows into a diverse, resilient movement that transcends boundaries. This reflection bridges ancient truths with modern challenges, from rebuilding broken systems to amplifying voices that often go unheard. By celebrating the ordinary people who quietly bring change to their communities, we’re reminded that recognition isn’t just kind—it’s transformative. Who can you thank, support, or join in their work? And, perhaps most importantly, who might inspire you to go all in on a cause that could reshape lives—including your own?