In this second week of Advent, James reflects on the meaning of peace—not as mere quiet or the absence of conflict, but as the deep biblical vision of shalom/shlama: wholeness, right relationship, and holy love. He invites the congregation into practical, accessible ways of embodying peace each day, beginning with a simple “peace pause” of slow breathing and the prayer, “Christ, make peace in me and through me.” James encourages peaceable conversations marked by attentive listening, genuine apology, and intentional encouragement, as well as extending peace outward by silently blessing those we pass in our daily lives. In a season often filled with chaos and hurry, he reminds listeners that worship and community can be a sanctuary of calm and connection, and he prays that Christ’s peace would take root in each heart—shaping self-care, relationships, and presence in the world throughout this Advent journey.

In this week’s episode, Pastor James reflects on the first theme of Advent—hope—through a practical Wesleyan lens, describing hope not merely as optimism about the future but as a deep assurance that God is already at work in and around us. He offers several simple practices for cultivating this assurance in daily life: identifying one small “next step” that makes space for God’s work, lighting a candle with the prayer “Lord, awaken hope in me today,” reaching out to someone who feels unseen, and lifting up hopes for the church or one’s faith community in prayer. Acknowledging how easily hope can feel fragile amid the world’s struggles, he reminds listeners that they are not alone—God’s Spirit is continually working through the community and through each of us. Hope becomes real, he says, when we participate in God’s ongoing work, planting small seeds of encouragement, presence, and faith in our lives and in the lives of others as we journey through Advent.

In this final installment of the five-part series on the United Methodist membership vows, James reflects on the meaning of witness—a word rooted in the Greek martyr, originally meaning one who testifies to what they know to be true. He explores how Scripture itself is a tapestry of diverse witnesses, each telling their authentic story of encountering God, and how the Gospels model for us a way of sharing our own stories with honesty and depth. James notes that being a witness is not about copying someone else’s journey but embracing and articulating our own, recognizing both the moments of falling and the grace that lifted us back up. He highlights the powerful examples of witnesses such as Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero, and Martin Luther King Jr., whose lives embodied courageous faith. Ultimately, James invites listeners to consider how their everyday actions, choices, generosity, and presence proclaim the good news—often without words—and how each person’s unique story becomes part of the great cloud of witnesses that shapes the life and mission of Dulin UMC.