Between Sundays

Halloween can bring out some surprisingly strong opinions among Christians. Is it harmless fun? Should we avoid it altogether? And what does our faith have to say about how we approach the holiday?
This week on Between Sundays, Torri explores the different ways Christians think about Halloween and what it might look like to approach the season with faith, intention, and a little grace.
From costumes and candy to community and connection, we're talking about how even an ordinary evening in our neighborhoods can become an opportunity to share God's love.
Whether you're handing out candy, dressing up, or turning off the porch light, there's room for a thoughtful conversation about faith and Halloween.

What does it really mean to love boldly?
This week on Between Sundays, we're taking a deeper look at Jesus' call to love—not just the people who are easy to love, but our neighbors, our community, and even those who challenge us.
Together, we'll explore how bold love goes beyond kind feelings and becomes courageous action. It's the kind of love that welcomes, forgives, serves, and reflects the heart of Christ in everyday life.
Whether you were with us on Sunday or are catching up during the week, we hope this conversation encourages you to take one more step toward living out your faith with compassion and courage.

In this episode of Between Sundays, we revisit our lay leader's sermon based on Ephesians 2:1–10 and the good news that you are not the hero of the story.
We often feel pressure to fix everything, prove ourselves, or earn our place, but this passage reminds us that salvation begins with God’s grace—not our effort. God is the one who brings life, offers mercy, and continues shaping us into who we are called to be.
The best news is that we do not have to save ourselves. We are God’s workmanship, created with purpose and invited to take part in the good work God has already prepared for us.

Parenthood was never meant to be done alone.
In this episode of Between Sundays, we’re talking about The Village Collective of Jackson, a community created through the partnership of Harmony Garden Music Therapy Services and Jackson First United Methodist Church to give caregivers and kids a place to eat, play, connect, and simply be together.
We talk about why The Village Collective was created, what families can expect when they walk through the doors, and why community can matter so much during seasons when life already feels full. We also explore what this partnership makes possible: combining resources, relationships, hospitality, and a shared heart for families across Jackson.
Sometimes success looks like a new friendship. Sometimes it’s a parent enjoying a hot meal they didn’t have to make or a child having the freedom to simply be a child. Sometimes it’s someone leaving with the reminder that they have a village around them.

Homecoming Sunday is almost here—but what exactly are we coming home to?
In this episode of Between Sundays, Torri sits down with Pastor Brad to talk about the heart behind Homecoming Sunday, what makes Jackson First UMC the community it is, and why this day is about more than simply kicking off another busy fall. Together, they reflect on belonging, finding your place, reconnecting with one another, and the many ways God is already at work through the people and ministries of our church.
Whether you’ve been part of JFUMC for decades, recently found your way here, or are still figuring out where you fit, consider this your invitation to come home.

Fall is bringing new opportunities for children, youth, families, and adults to find connection at Jackson First UMC.
In this episode of Between Sundays, Torri sits down with Joe to talk about what is coming up in Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, including ways families can get involved and build relationships within the church. They also share some of the story behind The Bridge, a new ministry created to connect young adults and those in their 30s and 40s through community, conversation, and shared experiences.
Whether you are raising a family, looking for a place to connect, or simply wondering what is ahead this fall, this episode offers a look at how we are continuing to build places where people of every age can belong.

We’re looking back at Sunday’s message from our More Than a Story series: “When Fear Is Loud, Faith Steps Out.”
Peter walking on water is one of those Bible stories many of us know—but there’s more here than a miraculous moment on the waves. Peter had to make a choice: stay where it felt safe or trust Jesus enough to step out of the boat.
We’ll revisit what this story teaches us about fear, faith, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and what happens when the noise around us starts competing with the One who called us forward in the first place.
When fear gets loud, faith doesn’t always feel fearless. Sometimes, faith simply looks like taking the next step.

We all know the stories.
David and Goliath. Jonah and the whale. Daniel in the lions' den. Esther's courage. Joseph's forgiveness.
But what if these stories are about more than memorable moments or familiar characters?
In this episode of Between Sundays, we take a step back from the individual stories to ask a bigger question: What are these stories telling us? Together, we'll explore the common threads woven throughout Scripture—God's faithfulness, His grace, His invitation to trust Him, and His ability to use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
The Bible isn't just a collection of disconnected stories. It's one story of God's love and redemption, and each story invites us to discover not only who God is, but who He's calling us to become.

I thought this episode was going to be about camp. It turns out it's really about what God did in me while I was there.
This week on Between Sundays, I'm sharing the stories that have stayed with me long after coming home—from earning the nickname TDH (Torri Down the Hill) to learning how to crochet, breaking down on a camp floor, and experiencing the unexpected gift of being prayed over by a camper.
These aren't just camp stories. They're reminders that God often meets us in the ordinary moments—the laughter, the tears, the friendships, and the spaces where we finally stop pretending we have it all together.
Whether you've been to camp or not, I hope these stories remind you that sometimes the places that change us most aren't the mountaintops—they're the places where we're simply willing to be ourselves.
Connect with Torri via her blog or Faith Builders Service camp: 
https://linktr.ee/faithbuilderscamp 
https://linktr.ee/joyinthestory
 

What if healing sounded like a song?
This week on Between Sundays, we're joined by the founder of Harmony Garden Music Therapy and one of their board-certified music therapists to explore the life-changing work of music therapy and the heart behind the Music Therapy Ministry.
Together, we discuss what music therapy really is, who it serves, and how music can become a powerful tool for communication, connection, and healing. You'll also hear the story behind Harmony Garden's mission to make these services accessible to families in our community through scholarship support.
Whether you're hearing about music therapy for the first time or simply curious about this unique ministry, this conversation will leave you inspired by the many ways God brings hope and healing into people's lives.
We hope this conversation reminds you that God's love is often experienced through unexpected gifts—and sometimes, healing begins with a single note.
Connect with Harmony Garden Music Therapy:
https://hgmusictherapy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HGMusicTherapy
https://www.instagram.com/hgmusictherapy
https://linktr.ee/hgmusictherapy