To kick off our new series, Jake spent the entire message walking on a treadmill...a playful but sincere illustration of how life is a long journey. There are peaks and valleys, steep climbs and rewarding views, moments of exhaustion and bursts of clarity. This message touches on many of the themes we’ll be exploring more deeply throughout the series, making it the perfect place to begin.   Quotes: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” — Martin Luther King Jr.  “The uphill path is often the one that shows you who you are.” — Parker J. Palmer  “You don’t always know what you’re walking toward. Sometimes you only know you can’t stay where you are.” — David Whyte  “We do not arrive at wisdom by standing still.” — Anne Lamott  “God does not come to us by our staying still, but by our journeying.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin  

The new year often carries two very different energies at the same time: hope and hesitation. Excitement and anxiety. Possibility and fear. Our first message of 2026 explores both sides honestly.   On one side, change is hard. It takes humility to admit where we’re stuck, where we’re tired, or where we don’t know what to do next.   On the other side, change is inevitable. Whether we welcome it or resist it, life moves forward. Time passes. Seasons end.   As we step into a new year, we’re invited to hold both truths at once: accepting ourselves exactly as we are, while remaining open to who we are becoming. We may not have clarity, certainty, or a perfect plan—but we can choose presence, grace, and courage as we cross the threshold.   Quotes:   Carl Rogers The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.   Anne Lamott Grace happens when we’re honest about our limits.   James Clear Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.   Daniel Kahneman Until we articulate what we want, our behavior stays reactive rather than intentional.   Heraclitus No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and they’re not the same person.   John O’Donohue For loss brings a space of emptiness into your life that opens a new place within your soul.   Mary Oliver The beauty of the living thing is the immeasurable quality of its being—its fleetingness.

Check out our 2025 Christmas Eve message—a reflection on the manger as a symbol of something ordinary, even beneath notice, becoming sacred because of what it holds.   Like us: human beings who are messy, complicated, and often mundane, and yet also infinite—capable of profound love, beauty, and truth.   This Christmas, our invitation to you and your family is to encounter the story not as distant history, but as a reminder of the light that shines within every one of us.

How did we arrive at December 25 for the celebration of Xmas? What does it have to do with the solstice?    Long before the celebration Christmas, cultures across the world marked the darkest night of the year as a sacred turning point. The Winter Solstice symbolized the return of the light, the assurance that the sun would rise again, and the promise that darkness never has the final word.   In ancient Rome, Sol Invictus—meaning “the Unconquered Sun”—celebrated this cosmic truth on December 25. As Christianity emerged, early believers didn’t simply replace this imagery; they recognized a deep resonance. The birth of Christ came to symbolize the same reality written into the cosmos itself: hope rising out of darkness, light returning when it feels most absent.   As we stand at the solstice and near the end of another year, this message is an invitation to look back with gratitude, to honor what carried us through the darkness, and to trust that light—quiet, persistent, and undefeated—is still rising.   Quotes:     Sol Invictus embodied the eternal return of light… a deity whose very nature proclaimed that darkness and disorder could never finally triumph.” — Mary Beard, John North, and Simon Price “Christians saw in the sun’s return precisely the kind of cosmic sign that resonated with their belief in light overcoming darkness.” — Andrew McGowan “The imagery of the ‘unconquered sun’ became a natural metaphor for Christ as light— not a borrowing, but a recognition of the same truth about the world.” — Thomas Talley “The sun’s daily and annual ‘rebirths’ made it a powerful symbol of victory over darkness, of hope and renewal.” — Dr. Steven Hijmans “The birth of the sun at the solstice is the archetype of unconquered light—the world’s assurance that darkness is not final.” — Joseph Campbell “The sun is the most fitting symbol of the Self: radiant, indestructible, and triumphant over darkness.” — Carl Jung “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul... It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,   I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” — William Ernest Henley, Invictus  

Why is Christmas celebrated at this time of year—and what does an ancient Roman festival have to do with it?   In this message from our holiday series The Hidden Underbelly of Christmas, we explore Saturnalia: a fascinating Roman festival centered on time, reversal, and social inversion. For a few days each year, the rigid hierarchies of Roman society were turned upside down—masters served slaves, power was mocked, gifts were exchanged, candles were lit against the darkness, and people rehearsed a different kind of world.   Far from “ruining” Christmas, this history deepens it.   We look at how Saturn, time, cycles, and impermanence shaped the cultural soil into which the Christmas story was planted—and how both Saturnalia and the birth of Jesus point toward the same unsettling truth: the world as we know it is not fixed. Power can be reimagined. Hierarchies are constructed. What has been made can be unmade and remade.   This is a message about time, hope, and the courage to imagine something better—for ourselves, for our communities, and for the world.   Quotes:   The Romans instituted Saturnalia because their society was so rigidly hierarchical that it needed a ritualized moment of reversal. That alone should tell us something about our own times. — Dr. Nadia Williams  Saturnalia was a reminder that social hierarchies are neither natural nor inevitable. By turning the world upside down for a few days, the Romans exposed how constructed their own power structures really were. — Mary Beard  The Christmas story is about a God who refuses to play by the world’s rules of domination. Instead, God comes small, hidden, and vulnerable—turning power on its head. — Richard Rohr  Saturnalia let Romans rehearse a world that was fairer, freer, and more humane. They could imagine justice, even if they would not enact it. — Ramsay MacMullen  The Christmas story is the announcement that a new order is breaking in, and that it begins in the hearts of those who will dare to imagine it. — Howard Thurman   

For our December series, we’re diving into the ancient, surprising, and subversive roots of the holiday we think we know. Christmas is far more revolutionary, upside-down, and justice-soaked than the modern imagery suggests, and this week we go straight to the source: St. Nicholas.   The story of Nicholas makes that clear: a man born into wealth who rejected it, who protected the poor, confronted injustice, rescued the vulnerable, and challenged the systems of his day.    We look at how the real Nicholas embodied dignity for the hungry, the poor, the wrongly accused, and the overlooked. In a world of staggering inequality, where abundance exists but is unevenly distributed, Nicholas invites us to imagine something different—something truer to the heart of Christmas. A world where worth is not measured by wealth, and where compassion becomes embodied. This year’s Christmas series is an invitation to reframe the holiday: not to ruin the magic, but to deepen it.   Quotes:   Brian Zahnd “Christmas is a revolution disguised as a baby shower.” John Dominic Crossan  “If you want to recover the meaning of Christmas, start with Nicholas. He reveals that love is not an idea but an embodied practice.” Brian McLaren “The modern Santa brings gifts; the ancient Nicholas brought dignity. Christmas needs both joy and justice to be whole again.” David Gate  “The most difficult part of helping the poor is not calling for the hungry to be fed but for the wealthy to be content.” Dorothy Day  “What the Incarnation teaches us is that God enters into our broken political world, not to bless the status quo but to disrupt it.” Richard Rohr “When we remember Saint Nicholas, we remember that Christmas is not about consumption but incarnation — love taking flesh in the form of compassion.”  

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving we explore gratitude not as a performance or a forced positive attitude, but as a way of grounding ourselves like gravity. Gratitude does not ask us to deny pain, grief, confusion, or complexity. Instead, it gives us a way to hold joy and sorrow side by side, to remain tethered when life feels heavy or uncertain.   We reflect on how gratitude works like an internal algorithm that shapes what we notice in the world. Where our attention rests, our experience follows.   Join us as we delve into the grey, into nuance, into mystery. Gratitude is not the denial of complexity, but a way to meet it with open eyes and open heart. It is courage, grounding, and faith expressed through two simple words: thank you.   Quotes:   William James — The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitude. David Steindl-Rast — Gratitude is the courage to acknowledge life in all its gifts — even the painful ones — and to trust that within every moment is an invitation to grow. Brené Brown — Gratitude isn’t about the moment being good. It’s about the moment being sacred. Meister Eckhart — If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. David Whyte — To feel grateful is to recognize the gift in what we cannot explain. John O’Donohue — May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.  

We close out our "If We Build It…" series with a message about what happens when you take the risk to step out, answer the call on your life, and show up as your full self. When you do, people are impacted. They’re drawn into your orbit. They catch your vision. They are strengthened by your courage.   We explore who “they” really are: the ones who benefit when you stop shrinking, stop apologizing, and begin standing in the truth of who you are. We look at why Aldea exists, the kind of people we are uniquely positioned to serve, and why embracing our identity matters more than trying to please everyone.   This finale gathers all the threads of the series into three guiding statements that help anchor our purpose, our impact, and the deeper meaning of building something together. You’ll be invited to consider your own sphere of influence, the real lives your presence affects, and the future people who will one day find belonging because of what you (and we) build today.   Quotes:   Brené Brown: “Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It’s something to own. And when you own it, you open the door for others to do the same.” Seth Godin: “When you speak to everyone, you speak to no one.” Glennon Doyle: “You will be too much for some people. Those aren’t your people.” Anne Lamott: “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” Fred Rogers: “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” Tao Te Ching (Chapter 9): “Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.” Clarissa Pinkola Estés: “Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of reaching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.” Marianne Williamson: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”  

In this message, we explore the mysterious and powerful idea of “IT”... that inner pulse, purpose, or pull that each of us carries.   When we stop forcing everything to make sense and become still, real and raw emotions begin to surface. Our inner world starts pointing toward the things that matter most. Sometimes that shows up as joy — the things that make us feel alive. Sometimes as ache — the compassion, heartbreak, or outrage that reveals where healing or action is needed. And sometimes as curiosity — the questions that won’t leave us alone.   By paying attention to these three signals, we begin to live in alignment with our deeper calling rather than the expectations around us. We move with resilience, clarity, and a grounded sense of direction — not because we have the answers, but because we’re finally listening.   Quotes:   The earth seems to be beseeching us to connect with joy and discover our innermost essence. This is the best way that we can benefit others. — Pema Chödrön   Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within. — Eckhart Tolle   Let your heartbreak be your guide; it will lead you to what you most need to know. — Terry Tempest Williams   A healer is someone who seeks to be the light that they wished they’d had in their darkest moments. — Alan Watts   I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. — Albert Einstein   The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. — Albert Einstein   Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves… Live the questions now. — Rainer Maria Rilke    

In this week’s message, we explore what it means to "build" - literally or metaphorically. Whether you’re building a relationship, a home, a community, or a dream, the process is universal. We reflect on how building something meaningful often starts small and unseen. It requires commitment through the rain and shine, a willingness to keep going when it’s uncomfortable, and the imagination to see what doesn’t yet exist.   At Aldea, we’re rediscovering the sacred art of building together. A new way of being spiritual, of being community, of being human.   Quotes:    “Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write, which was due the next day…. He was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’” — Anne Lamott The amateur believes they must first overcome their fear; then they can do their work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome.” — Stephen Pressfield   “If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.” — Carl Jung “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” — Buckminster Fuller  

For the second installment of our series "If We Build It...", we called upon members of our community to share about moments in their lives where collaboration, interconnectedness, and belonging reminded them that "WE" is greater than "ME".    Hear a collection of wonderful stories from Kathleen, Toni, Robyn, Glenn, and Roger.

Two letters can change everything. This first message in our new series explores the power of “If” — the thin line between fear and freedom, obligation and possibility.   We’re often taught to live under the weight of “must,” carrying expectations shaped by culture, religion, family, and fear. But “if” invites us into something different: curiosity, play, and co-creation.   This message weaves together the story of Aldea’s three-year journey of resilience, the spiritual and emotional power of living with open hands, and the courage to build without guarantees. It’s about shifting from control to trust, from obligation to love, and from rigidity to wonder.   As we step toward the future together, this is an invitation to experiment, to create, and to say yes to the unknown.   Quotes:   Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom. — Søren Kierkegaard You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free. — Thích Nhất Hạnh Our culture teaches us to seek meaning in accumulation, but the hunger is never satisfied because what we crave is connection, not consumption. — Gabor Maté Your task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it. — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry  

On Sunday, we were joined by Pastor and Author Cody Deese. His new book, Discovering Your Internal Universe, is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of his journey with anxiety—revealing how our greatest symptoms can often become doorways to our deepest inner truths. Cody is also the pastor of Vinings Lake, a spiritual collective in Georgia whose journey mirrors Aldea’s in many ways. It was a gift to share space with someone walking a similar path of reimagining spiritual community with honesty, courage, and depth.   Purchase Discovering Your Internal Universe now: https://a.co/d/hjBByg4    

Growth isn’t always graceful: it’s gritty, uncomfortable, and often asks us to face the gaps between who we are and who we want to be. For the series finale of "Growing Pains", we explore the role of accountability in real transformation...not as finger-pointing, but as an invitation to grow. We’ll journey through cringe-worthy personal stories, "The Coldplay Incident", and honest reflections on how we resist being called out… and how we can choose to lean in to an accountability that is both deeply personal and profoundly communal.   When grace meets accountability, growth happens.   Quotes:   Truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. — Gloria Steinem Without accountability, we drift; with it, we thrive. — John C. Maxwell Accountability without compassion is cruelty. — Krista Tippett “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17  

Pruning is not just a gardening technique... it’s a profound spiritual practice. In this week’s message, we explore the deep wisdom behind letting go, saying “no,” and shaping a life that aligns with what truly matters.   From the necessity of cutting back, to the surprising freedom that emerges when we stop trying to “do it all,” pruning teaches us how to focus our attention, reclaim our energy, and make space for what’s next.   We talk about why society’s obsession with “more” often leads to burnout, how every meaningful “yes” is built on a thousand “no’s,” and how pruning isn’t a sign of failure...it’s a choice for growth, balance, and purpose.   This is about more than minimalism: it’s about living intentionally. Whether in relationships, work, spirituality, or purpose, pruning invites us into a deeper, more focused way of being.   Quotes:   “Whatever is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness and benefit.” — Buddha (Na Tumhaka Sutta) “My experience is what I agree to attend to. Only those items which I notice shape my mind.” — William James    

Check out this in-depth and intimate conversation with Benjie Danquah - a speaker, coach, educator, and self-proclaimed mystic.   In our chat, Benjie is vulnerable and transparent about a faith that is continually evolving and expanding. We discuss what it means to be authentic even when it comes at a cost, and what it means to be a "mystic".

Life often tempts us to distract ourselves from discomfort...through screens, shopping, sugar, or endless busyness. But what if the very things we try to avoid are invitations to deeper truth, healing, and transformation?   This message explores the idea of leaning into the hard places rather than turning away. From the psychological wisdom to ancient parables, we’ll uncover how our fears, symptoms, and triggers can become guides toward greater wholeness.   Through breath, inner work, and community, we can move from fragile to resilient...and even into anti-fragile, where challenges don’t just test us but fuel our growth.   Quotes:   Pema Chödrön: “Rather than trying to rid yourself of your problem, go deeper into it. If you become familiar with fear, compassion arises.” James Hillman: “Follow the lead of your symptoms, for there’s usually a myth in the mess, and a mess is an expression of soul.” Carl Jung: “Where your fear is, there is your task.” Ramana Maharshi: “We cannot mend the whole world. If we try to reform the world without reforming ourselves, we cannot succeed. Instead of trying to cover the whole earth with leather to avoid the thorns, it is enough to wear sandals.” Nassim Taleb: “Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes fire.”  

In this week’s message, Jake explores the tension between certainty and uncertainty, drawing from both personal loss and the wider challenges we face as a community. Through stories of family, grief, and the mysteries of the universe, we’re invited to see that faith isn’t about having all the answers, but about how we live in the questions. From quantum physics to everyday love, from community risk to the unknowns of the future, this talk encourages us to embrace life’s unpredictability, discovering that love, presence, and connection are what sustain us in the midst of uncertainty.   Quotes:   Richard Rohr: “Faith is not about everything turning out okay. Faith is about being okay no matter how things turn out.” Adyashanti: “To live in the mystery, to dwell in the unknowable — that is the practice of presence.” Alan Watts: “Risk is essential. There is no growth without risk, and no meaningful life without risk.” Deepak Chopra: “Uncertainty is the fertile ground of pure creativity and freedom.” Ram Dass: “We’re all just walking each other home.”  

For Part 4 of our Growing Pains series, we were joined by none other than the founder of Aldea—Kevin Skinner!   in this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Kevin & Jake explore the dynamics of growth, change, and transformation in individuals and communities.    Kevin walks us through some of the pivotal moments in his journey as the pastor of Aldea, as well as some life-changing insights from his current work as a Director of Culture and Organizational Change. 

Pain, scars, and setbacks often feel like they disqualify us...but what if they are the very things that qualify us? In Part 3 of our Growing Pains series, we explore the archetype of the Wounded Healer, a universal pattern showing how our struggles can become the ground of compassion, service, and deeper connection. Drawing from the Greek myth of Chiron, insights from spiritual teachers, and real-life reflections, this talk unpacks how the wounds we carry might actually reveal our strength, deepen our empathy, and open us to healing both ourselves and others.   Quotes: Kahlil Gibran: Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. Rumi: The wound is the place where the Light enters you. Stevie Wonder: Shortly after my birth I became blind. Now, that was a blessing because it’s allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what color they are, but what color is their spirit? Helen Keller: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart. Henri Nouwen: When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers. Pema Chödrön: Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others.