It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village Podcast - Season 2, Episode #4

It Takes a Village: The Joy of Winter and Small Blessings Dear Village Family, Greetings in the heart of winter, a season that invites us to slow down, reflect, and find warmth in connection. As we navigate these colder days, I’m reflecting on a powerful concept from our recent It Takes a Village episode, inspired by Adrienne Maree Brown’s words in Emergent Strategy : “Small is all, small is good....

It Takes a Village: Gentle New Beginnings Dear Countrysiders, As we step into 2025, I invite you to join Pastor Sarah and I for the latest episode of It Takes a Village. This week, we reflect on the beauty of gentle beginnings and how claiming “small is all” can inspire each of us to create meaningful change right where we are. Together, we explore insights from Dorcas Cheng-Tozun’s Social Justice...

Fun, Faith and Holiday Cheer on It Takes a Village Dear Countrysiders, Episode 15 of It Takes a Village is now available, and Sarah and I are diving headfirst into the holiday spirit! We’re talking about holiday traditions, favorite treats (team fudge or peppermint bark?), and the joys—and occasional challenges—of the season. We also reflect on the mix of emotions this time of year brings—joy, gri...

Reflections and Excitement Dear Countrysiders, I’m thrilled to share that Episode 14 of It Takes a Village is now available! This week, Sarah and I take a look back at all the incredible things that happened (and are happening!) here at Countryside and what’s ahead in 2025. During my mini-sabbatical in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, the vision for The Village at Countryside and its unique sm...

We Find Joy in Connection Dear Countryside Community, Greetings of hope, peace, joy, and love as we journey together through this Advent season. In episode 13 of our podcast, It Takes a Village, Sarah and I reflected on the profound meaning of Advent amidst the challenges and chaos of our lives and the world around us. This season calls us to lean into the promise of God’s in-breaking love—a love...

Walking Into the Holiday Season Dear Countryside Community, While we are facing many challenges both near and far, it is not the first time a weary world has struggled to rejoice. As people of faith, we are reminded of the beauty and challenge of this moment in time, particularly as we prepare to enter the Advent season—a time of anticipation, preparation, and deep reflection. This year’s Advent t...

Season of Gratitude: Finding Hope & Resilience Dear Villagers, My new weekly podcast is now available. In this week’s It Takes a Village (Episode 11), Sarah and I take a deep dive into finding hope and resiliency. You'll find the links to the podcast, RSS feed and audio at the end of this letter. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we find ourselves in a unique moment. The recent election...

An Honest Reaction to the Election Dear Countrysiders, My new weekly podcast is now available. In this week’s It Takes a Village (Episode 10) Sarah and I have an honest discussion on the election results, and the importance of taking care of self and soul.

Dear Countrysiders, As we approach this election season, many of us are feeling the weight of our hopes, fears, and uncertainties about our future. Election cycles can amplify stress, not only because of what’s at stake but also because they touch the very core of who we are and what we believe. I want to remind each of us that God calls us to be grounded and steady and to carry compassion—not onl...

Dear Villagers, We are excited to share the final episode of It Takes a Village, where we focus on David Brooks' book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. In this episode, we explore the last chapter on wisdom. Brooks reminds us that wisdom is not found in conventional knowledge but in how we witness one another’s stories. True wisdom comes from committing...

Dear Village Houses, In this week’s podcast episode, we explored the themes of Life Stories and How Our Ancestors Shape Our Lives from David Brooks’ How to Know a Person, and we wanted to share a summary with you as a springboard for deeper reflection and conversation. In Life Stories, Brooks reminds us that every person has a life narrative—a complex, evolving story that weaves together the exper...

This week, we explore themes from David Brooks’ How to Know a Person , reflecting on how our personal stories and ancestral connections shape who we are. We dive into the importance of understanding our evolving life narratives and the lasting influence of those who came before us. Tune in for insights on identity, belonging, and the meaning of home.

This week's It Takes a Village podcast dives deep into Chapters 13 and 14 of David Brooks’ How to Know a Person . Join Rev. Dr. Jenny and Sarah as they explore the energy we bring into spaces and the life tasks that shape who we are. Discover how our personalities and evolving roles in life impact our relationships, sense of purpose, and the community around us. Reflect with your Village House on...

In this episode of It Takes a Village , Jenny and Sarah explore chapters 11 and 12 of David Brooks’ How to Know a Person , focusing on the transformative power of empathy and suffering. They discuss how empathy is a practiced skill that deepens our relationships and how suffering shapes us into more compassionate, resilient individuals. Together, they invite listeners to reflect on how these theme...

It takes a Village Podcast - Episode #4

In this episode of It Takes a Village , hosts Jenny Shultz-Thomas and Sarah Rentzel Jones continue exploring David Brooks' How to Know a Person , diving into themes of accompaniment, recognition, and deep conversation. They reflect on the importance of slowing down, being fully present with others, and creating meaningful connections in a world that often feels rushed. Personal stories, such as Je...

This week, Jenny Shultz-Thomas and Sarah Rentzel Jones dive into the first three chapters of David Brook’s How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen . This first section is all about the art of truly seeing. In response to how our contemporary culture leans towards seeing others superficially, Brooks calls us to see others with curiosity and compassion. This power...

In the first episode, Pastor Jenny Shultz-Thomas and Pastor Sarah Rentzel Jones dive into David Brooks' latest book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen . This insightful book will shape the discussions in our Village Houses, helping us build deeper connections and grow as a community.