Casey Banks

Church booth at Newberg Pride! We handed out rainbow bracelets that referenced the Psalmist who knew that every fiber of our being is "wonderfully made" by God. Also handed out a devotional booklet of queer Christian prayers and poems.

My shameful pleasure is Love is Blind. This season, I loved seeing two women assert that political neutrality from their partner isn't good enough for them. Only privileged people, for whom the system is working, get to be apathetic about politics.

Was struggling to find a preaching angle for the Mark story of Jesus walking on water. Found inspiration in some verses from an ancient Indian philosophical text.

End of year reports are an absolute nightmare. And yet, I appreciate the story we know because of the data. Average worship attendance grew. Program expenses grew. Capital expenses mean we are investing in our future. The data also tells me it's probably time to hold another confirmation class!

Maybe research papers get sassy and say "unmentionable #1" in all the places where they want to say "climate change.".

Please fight especially for no disruption to special education services! I can understand reforms, but even a 3-month disruption to special needs students' routines is significant.

Ten years from now, the US might be doing its own Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address all the horrors it's about to unleash on Gaza if Congress doesn't stop this.

So...Trump wants to gentrify an entire nation now?

Trump has said he could end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. But his solutions are always for the victim to just give in to the aggressors. Want to stop schoolyard bullying? Trump would say it's simple! The bullied kids should just give their lunch money to the bullies. Problem solved!

I've never used E.L.F. makeup, but I might now. Any other companies want to publicly defend their DEI practices?

Lol, they want the oldest president ever to be even older in a third term? I'm not worried about this because 47's health and mind absolutely won't be fit for a third term, but you know whose will be? Obama's.

Great day with good clergy mama friends talking ministry, toddler shenanigans, politics, and books over ramen and coffee.

Blessed are the merciful. And the peacemakers.

Prophets know the dangers of speaking truth to power. It's literally life-risking. That's why she wrote the book on being brave .

Mine was correct just now. But saw another post like yours, a few minutes older than yours. Maybe the fix happened quickly? Super weird.

Were you following the White House account or VP account before they switched over? That's the prevailing theory I'm seeing.

There are some other layers; patriarchy, Christianity, & white supremacy.

But the main enabler of ALL of those things right now is Capitalism.

Until we start challenging our own values & decide that we’re not going to value greed over humans, we’re going to keep getting this techno-fuedalism.

Trump, not a practicing Christian, said that a sermon by a Bishop could have been better. Personally, I only take sermon critiques from sincere believers.

Had the joy of walking with Rupert UMC this weekend as they crafted their new board covenant and made some excellent mission-based goals. I love this work. When we simplify our governance, we have more capacity for mission.

I am in a battle against snails. It is maddening. I have called in the assassins to help. I have resorted to stealing and freezing their eggs. You bring home ONE plant from the pet store for your aquarium with ONE unintended hitchhiker and your carefully curated ecosystem is never the same!

That IS a gem. Might steal it. I'll be preaching Mark's feeding of 4,000 soon.

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they weren't the first in their family to do so. Joseph's ancestors Naomi and Ruth arrived at Bethlehem as a homeless family with mixed citizenship statuses. From them came King David's lineage. Great things from humble immigrant beginnings.

Just spent 1.5 hours on a Zoom call with city planners to give input on rules for short term rentals. Only 3 of us there. I know not everyone has the free time to invest in local politics, but it's fairly easy to influence local policy--you just need to make an effort to show up.

It's Advent! Sermon summary: sometimes Caesar calls for a census and taxes and we don't have a choice. But we have SO much agency to pursue justice and show kindness. You don't have to change the world-- but you do have to positively impact your corner of it.

I'm on board with that. I don't want religious privilege. Want the welfare of all, of all faiths. "Christian nationalism" is not Christlike.

Im also against bibles in classrooms, but if other organizations can lobby, why shouldn't churches? It's because of my Christian beliefs that I advocate against the death penalty, for compassion-based immigration policies, for living wages, etc.

After the election, a wise colleague said "This isn't the work we wanted to do, but it's the work we must now do."

Endorsement of a candidate is technically not allowed now (needs enforcement), but endorsement of a policy IS allowed. Churches can even spend up to 10% of its activity trying to influence public policy. Curious about your thoughts on that? I personally like letter campaigns for policy.

Spent the morning giving thanks for the many volunteers at Newberg First United Methodist who make ministries of hunger relief, affordable housing, and hospitality happen. Thanks be to God for people who know that the call to love our neighbors is a call to act.

Pastor here. I'd actually be down for that plan. I am interested in a solution that stops mega church exploitation while not burdening the little churches who struggle financially yet serve neighbors. I have tons of receipts and would gladly file them. Paying a neighbor's electric bill today.

Some of us are really trying. My church has a food pantry, clothing closet, hosts PFLAG & AA, provides food for alternative high school students Wednesdays and also holiday breaks, pays utility bills for neighbors, and more. Not all churches are Christian nationalists.