Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on the tragic juxtaposition of running in the beautiful Charlotte Marathon while ICE agents racially profiled and terrorized neighbors over the weekend.

There is something beautiful, even sacred, about having third space communities. They do not just happen, though. The first step is committing to becoming a “regular.”

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on the connections between jazz, supporting young people, church life, and the kingdom of God.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell makes the case that the culture of flopping has spread beyond sports. Who are the biggest floppers right now? Christian Nationalists.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on how we can continue to move forward when equality, respect, and truth seem like they are evaporating in front of us.

This is part of Word&Way’s Unsettling Advent devotionals running Dec. 1-Dec. 24.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on how we might treat each other differently if we literally wore our hearts on our sleeves.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on ancient understandings of the heart and how they relate to our modern grief.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell reflects on what spiritual practices we can take from this summer’s Olympics as we all move on to this next season.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell considers the religious implications of rare photos that capture in-between moments.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell explores what our role is as Christians when it comes to public schools.

From the 2023 Unsettling Advent Devotional: Christmas Eve

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell explores 'hidden' stories that stood right next to the biblical scriptures as having a valuable word to say about who we are as a people of faith.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell champions the idea that churches can offer counter-cultural recreational programs to put youth sports back at the right size and scale.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell makes the case that children are walking around each day speaking the language of the world, so it is powerful when we can take those stories and translate them into our own religious language.

"Stories are important — they have the power to make a difference in people’s lives. We may not remember all the details, but we recall how they made us feel."

There is something deeper in this annual beach pilgrimage that goes beyond convenience and tradition, though. For many, this time by the shore is a sacrament or “a thing of mystery and sacred significance.”

There are several reasons why this ritual is a spiritual practice.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell makes the case that future Christians will point to the names of our colleagues and friends as those who first navigated the waters of leading a church and serving as a wife or mothering a family at the same time.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell argues that the unfortunate consequence of separating ministries into silos based on age and stage of life means churches miss out on one of their biggest monopolies in the world today: being a place of true intergenerational community.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell has watched a generation of young people she worked with over the last two decades walk away from the church and organized religion — and she's not alone. So, what did we do wrong?