Author: Joe

Joe https://www.theawesomenessconspiracy.com Joe sees the world through a slightly skewed lens...sort of like a trout looking up through the surface of a mountain stream, trying to discern what's real from what's not. A pastor, writer, speaker, former youth leader, and fanatical fly fisherman, Joe holds a master's degree in Christian Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a provisional Deacon in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his wife Lorie reside along the Ohio River in the small town of Williamstown, West Virginia, from which they continue to launch a lifetime of adventures.

December 16 Gathering: Incarnation

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Holy Family in the tradition of Christmas

One of the ancient doctrines at the church is that Jesus is fully divine and fully human. But what exactly does that mean? How can it be possible? And how does that impact our lives and our faith?

For this second Sunday in Advent, we’ll discuss the concept of incarnation — the idea that God is brought to life in the person of Jesus. We’ll talk about what it means to call Jesus “Christ” (hint: it’s not his last name), and the critical importance of recognizing Jesus’ humanity.

Join us this Sunday, Dec. 16, in the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company for a conversation that’s sure to be both interesting and provocative!

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm

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Dec. 2 Gathering: Advent = Hope

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Many People Hands Holding Colorful Word Hope Blue Sky

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. More than just the lead-up to Christmas, Advent is a season of anticipation…of waiting, of wondering, of hope.

Is “hope” the same thing as “faith?” Or is hope something altogether different, something that motivates and informs the way we approach our day-to-day lives?

This Sunday at New Wineskins we’ll talk about Hope…what gives us hope, what feeds our hope, and what having hope means to us. We’ll discuss how the season of Advent is, in fact, a season of hope, and what that means in our lives.

Join us this Sunday, Dec. 2, in the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company for a conversation about how Advent is a season based in hope, and what our own hopes are in this season.

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm

Nov. 18 Gathering: Thanks-Giving

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Gratitude Attitude Word Cloud

Female hand outstretched with palm up and the word ‘Gratitude’ surrounded by a relevant word cloud hovering against a rustic stone effect background

What are you thankful for? Not just in that warm-fuzzy-feeling-good kind of way, but in terms of deep gratitude? Things that deeply inform the way you live your life. Things that make you grateful to draw breath each morning. Things that give you a sense of self.

This Sunday at New Wineskins, we’re going to celebrate a time of Thanks-Giving. We’ll express those things for which we’re thankful and open up group discussions on exactly what those things mean and how our gratitude for them can be life-giving and affirming.

Join us this Sunday, Nov. 18,  the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company for a conversation about giving thanks and living grateful lives.

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm

Oct. 21 Gathering: Miracles (do they matter?)

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Jesus Toast

We love a good miracle story. Jesus feeding the 5,000. Healing the sick.Walking on water. Raising the dead. Giving sight to the blind. Or our personal favorite, turning water into wine.

Maybe it’s because we need to know miracles are real. We need to hope that the impossible can happen.

So why is it that so often in biblical post-miracle dialogues, Jesus tells people to keep it quiet? To not tell what they have seen or experienced?

It begs the question…do the miracles really matter?

This week at New Wineskins we’re going to talk about miracles, what they are (and aren’t!), and whether or not we view them the way Jesus intends them to be viewed. Come on out and be part of the conversation this Sunday, Oct. 21, in the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company!

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm

Oct. 7 Gathering: Authority of Scripture

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file-jan-25-1-16-30-pm

In “church world,” we often talk about the authority of scripture. For many, that term implies a single way of viewing what the Bible is and what it means.

But what if there are other ways for scripture to have authority in our lives? What if it’s less about following a cosmic rulebook than about finding inspiration in stories about how human beings interact with the divine?

This Sunday at New Wineskins we’re going to talk about the different ways we might view the authority of scripture, what that authority means in our lives, and the implications of our various viewpoints.

We hope you’ll join us this Sunday, Oct. 7, in the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company to share your perspectives and be part of the conversation!

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm

Sept. 23 Gathering: Who is God?

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God in Heaven Set

It’s maybe the deepest question there is: Who (or what) is God?

What do we think about when we think and talk about God? A bearded old man in the sky? A “life force” or energy field of some kind? How can God be both personal and universal?

Since questions are more interesting than answers, we’ll tackle this big conversation this Sunday at New Wineskins. Come with an open imagination, and let’s see what we can learn about God from one another!

Join us this Sunday, Sept. 23, in the 167 Side Room of the Marietta Brewing Company!

Happy Half-Hour: 6:30pm

Conversation Begins: 7:00pm