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Alicia Velez Stewart

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MomologianMomologianThis I BelieveIn this heartfelt message, Rev. A shares her last Sunday as pastor at Weston United Methodist Church in Weston, MA, and reflects on leading the congregation through seasons of healing, transformation, and radical welcome. Join Rev. Alicia as she closes one chapter and opens the next—with gratitude, love, and hope that the gospel continues to unfold through all of us.2025-06-2216 minMomologianMomologianThriving in a Complicated WorldRev. Alicia reflects on Romans 5:1–5 through a feminist, progressive, Wesleyan lens—exploring how the Trinity models a sacred connection that can help us endure and thrive in the midst of chaos. This is not a theology of suffering as divine test, but a bold claim that grace meets us in hard places, that hope rises through shared struggle, and that God’s love—poured into our hearts by the Spirit—sustains us for justice, healing, and joy.2025-06-1519 minMomologianMomologianHomecoming Sunday: Who does this house serve?Welcome back home! We have returned after our summer of “Brunch Church” outdoors and are ready to welcome you all home. Rev. Alicia returns to the pulpit with the story of Joshua and his important question to the Israelites AND us: who does your house serve? 2024-09-0824 minMomologianMomologianIf you claim it, do you believe it, do you live it?Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi - Or, in other words, y’all: If we talk the talk, we gotta walk the walk and MEAN IT2023-05-2126 minMomologianMomologianSharing is CaringA little reflection on this Sunday morning. How does this moment in Acts speak to the church today?2023-05-1424 minMomologianMomologianRe-building and Re-membering: This House Has Good BonesPeter’s faith in Jesus is the foundation of the church. A strong enough foundation that here we are, over 2000 years later, still standing upon it. Our foundation is our faith in Christ and who we say he is. Or is it?2023-05-0733 minMomologianMomologianLiving in a gated communityIt’s time to leave the gatekeeping behind, friends. The truth is, we (Mainline Protestants and for SURE New England Methodists) as a community are declining not because people have fallen out of love with God but because people have fallen out of love with CHURCH.2023-04-3036 minMomologianMomologianA Daily ReorientingA special message on Native American Ministries Sunday. Hear guest preacher Mr. Todd Warfield, member of the Abenaki tribe, on Acts and reorienting ourselves daily.2023-04-2319 minMomologianMomologianWhen the internets fail - have a valuable faithIt’s still Eastertide, friends! 1 Peter 1:3-9 speaks not just to the early church but to us in our time as well.2023-04-1623 minMomologianMomologianWhy Easter?No matter what the world tells us, the resurrection of Christ matters. So, why Easter? And why should it matter to us today?2023-04-0924 minMomologianMomologian…And the Whole City was Stirred Up // Palm SundayJesus’ entry into Jerusalem stirred things up and set in motion the events we now observe as Holy Week. But why was the city on edge and what was it about Jesus that made everyone so nervous?2023-04-0233 minMomologianMomologianAn inside/out Faith: Lazarus! COME OUT!“When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.” Jesus is still calling us out into the world, still bringing us opportunities to reconnect with the life giving Spirit of God…even when we feel like we are too far gone to be reached2023-03-2631 minMomologianMomologianAn inside/out Faith: Photini at the WellThe Samaritan Woman at the Well. Her name is Photini - which in Greek means LIGHT. Appropriate because she truly is a light for many who feel unseen or unheard.2023-03-1233 minMomologianMomologianAn inside/out Faith: Take it in, Take it OUTNicodemus comes to Jesus with a question, and Jesus answers him in a way totally different from what Nicodemus was anticipating – totally unexpected. This is week two in Lent, and we are working our way toward Easter and Resurrection in an attempt to understand how we have an inside/out kind of faith.2023-03-0526 minMomologianMomologianAn inside/out Faith: Taking The First StepWelcome to Lent, and the wilderness - what will your first step into the season look like?2023-02-2624 minMomologianMomologianRadical Love over LawWhat is Jesus REALLY saying in these passages about divorce, unaliving folks, and sweating oaths? Time to dig deep, friends and hear this in a different way.2023-02-1929 minMomologianMomologianBe salty. Get lit.Jesus calls us to be salty and get lit. I said what I said.2023-02-0522 minMomologianMomologianThe Beatitudes: A Blessing & A ChallengeImagine hearing for the first time that you are blessed when all you have ever been told is the opposite. Today’s reading is a blessing and a challenge to enter into a deepening of relationships with one another, with our communities, with the needy, and with God.2023-01-2929 minMomologianMomologianIt’s time, y’all. Time to do the thing.And what’s that thing, you ask? Come (and follow) and find out!2023-01-2226 minMomologianMomologianCome on in - The water’s fine!When reality defies all expectations, what are we to do? Just dive right in. Embrace it just as we are embraced, of course!2023-01-1532 minMomologianMomologianWhat are YOU searching for?It’s Epiphany and we are all asking ourselves what it is we are searching for this year. Like the Magi know, the path to discovering what we are seeking is often complicated and really freaking hard at times. And yet! There is hope…2023-01-0827 minMomologianMomologianJourney toward LOVEthis week in Advent we find ourselves alongside Joseph as we journey toward love. His journey toward love is a complicated, messy path involving the work of self love, acceptance and grace.2022-12-1829 minMomologianMomologianJourney Toward JOYWhen Mary sings her song of praise, it is a song of JOY in the face of Empire. It’s also a song of invitation to us all.2022-12-1121 minMomologianMomologianJourney toward PEACEThis second week of Advent asks us to embark on a journey toward Peace. What wisdom can we find in the words of the prophet Isaiah in our time, when peace seems so hard to come by?2022-12-0426 minMomologianMomologianThanksgiving is a VERBWhat if we treated thanksgiving as something in action and not like something that just sits independent of anything else around it?2022-11-2022 minMomologianMomologianLegacies // The Story of Ruth and NaomiRuth teaches us that we are so much more than our past or our present when we allow our hearts and minds to be open to the workings of God and the Spirit.2022-11-1327 minMomologianMomologianAll Saints // Presente (They Are Here)Join us for this time of celebrating and remembering the saints of the church and the saints of our community on this All Saints Sunday.2022-11-0627 minMomologianMomologian(Holy) Ghost Stories: Wind and FlameOur final installment of our Holy Ghost Stories series takes us into a secluded room where suddenly all you-know-what breaks loose!2022-10-3022 minMomologianMomologian(Holy) Ghost Stories: The Man on the WaterFor the second installment of our Holy Ghost Stories series. Join us as we hear about The Man on the Water and ask ourselves who is the voice calling to *us* on the sea.2022-10-1616 minMomologianMomologianHoly Ghost Stories: Samuel and the VoiceSpooky season is here, and we New Englanders do love our autumn celebrations! Did you know that our scriptures are filled with ghost stories? Holy Ghost stories, of course!2022-10-0919 minMomologianMomologianBut alone, it’s not bread: World Communion SundayFor everyone born. A place at the table. Hear a message on bread, bodies, church, and how we are all connected on this World Communion Sunday.2022-10-0218 minMomologianMomologianCan’t stop, won’t stop: Stories of Holy ResistanceIn this final installment of our series on Holy Resistance, we hear about the disciples called before the Sadducees in Acts. We, the church, are called to be like the disciples John and Peter. To speak loudly about the injustices of the world today, and to not stop speaking even (especially?) when it makes those in power nervous.2022-09-2527 minMomologianMomologianKnow Your Place: Vashti & Stories of Holy ResistanceHere we are in the third week of our series on "Stories of Holy Resistance." Which is why Vashti’s story is one that needs to be told, and how brave she was to stand up to a system of power that was seeking to remove her value as a human being.2022-09-1826 minMomologianMomologianShiphrah and Puah: Stories of Holy ReaistanceShiphrah and Puah and their brave yet simple moment of resistance - their refusal to participate in something they new was wrong - put into motion something so much bigger that would ultimately result in the liberation of a whole people.2022-09-1120 minMomologianMomologianA Mother’s Persistence: Stories of Holy ResistanceWeek 1 of stories of holy resistance in our texts. The Syrophoenician woman wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even from Jesus.2022-09-0424 minMomologianMomologianDealing with our “stuff”The rich, young ruler was told to deal with his stuff. What sort of stuff are we carrying around and why do we - as Jesus-followers - really need to sort it out?2022-08-2828 minMomologianMomologianTend that fire, y’allThere is indeed a lot in this message to the disciples that seems to be counter-intuitive to the Jesus way. But what if it’s really a message encouraging us to not be afraid of the fire but embrace it?2022-08-1418 minMomologianMomologianGod’s got you, boo.Yes, God’s got our back BUT it’s is not enough to simply know it or tell people that. We have to live it. In everything we do.2022-08-0715 minMomologianMomologianGod’s image isn’t just for other peopleChrist is all and in all. That means you, too! When the world is desperate for healing, the work of making things whole needs to start with our own selves.2022-07-3114 minMomologianMomologianStrong Roots Bear Sweet FruitsSometimes we forget that being church means not just claiming the title “Christian,” but also co tiny if to grow our faith by asking questions and seeking answers. Growing in faith and practice means inspecting and questioning how our sacred texts allow us to encounter and discern God’s presence in our practices AS a church, AS a people called Christian.2022-07-2418 minMomologianMomologianWhen in doubt, Jesus and tacos.Sometimes the Spirit moves in the most unlikely of places - and leads us to have serious conversations about faith and belief. When is the last time any of us took a moment to sit with the Spirit and think about the question, “Who is Christ to me?”2022-07-1724 minMomologianMomologianFaith, Love, and HopeThese letters of Paul - or maybe-Paul - have provided so much foundation for our modern church’s practices and beliefs. For better or for worse, y’all. So let’s dig into Paul’s letter to Colossians, because And like anything built on a foundation, it’s good to inspect what is holding us up. What *is* providing the connection that grounds us, both as a modern church and as a people inheriting an ancient church.2022-07-1019 minMomologianMomologianHarvesting What We PlantWhat does it mean to have “freedom in Christ” when lately it feels like freedom is not available to all? What do we need to do to live more fully into that freedom and inspire others to do the same?2022-07-0320 minMomologianMomologianReal Talk: Righteous anger, fear, and freedom in ChristThis has been a particularly hard week, and it’s hard to preach freedom in Christ when so many have less freedom today than just a week ago. Where is the wisdom and grace in today’s text from Galatians for us today?2022-06-2626 minMomologianMomologianOne family in LovePaul’s letter to the Galatian church expresses a special family relationship in Christ, one we as a church community live into in our ministry and mission with the homeless at Bristol Lodge2022-06-1922 minMomologianMomologianDefying Explanation: the Trinity and USIt’s Trinity Sunday and some of you may be wondering, “well, what the heck is that?” Well. It’s weird, and it’s funky, and it’s enormous, and it’s beautiful in all its complexity.2022-06-1229 minMomologianMomologianBlow, Spirit, Blow!It’s Pentecost! Now what the heck is THAT?2022-06-0525 minMomologianMomologianThe enslaved woman and her stolen voiceThe system failed the enslaved woman in Acts 16 in so many ways - ways that folks today are STILL often failed. Paul made it worse for her. And Silas? Well. Let’s just say we don’t have a lot of reasons to be happy with him, either. So who are WE in the story if it were to unfold today?2022-05-2920 minMomologianMomologianLament and Light: remembering Buffalo, Laguna Woods, and DallasIn light of the racially motivated violence that has been filling our social media feeds, online news sources, radio and television newscasts, join us for a time of lament and recommitting ourselves to the work of justice and mercy.2022-05-2222 minMomologianMomologianChange is coming, so let’s get out of God’s way!Peter’s vision and God’s reminder that we should not deem profane that which God has created speaks to us through the ages. Change is coming to the church, y’all, and we need to get out of God’s way!2022-05-1523 minMomologianMomologianWe are all Tabitha (Legacies of Love)Mother’s Day is complicated! And so are the relationships we celebrate on this day dedicated to the nurturers - the Tabitha’s - in our lives. What legacies of love have they left us and how are we inspired to do the same for others?2022-05-0820 minMomologianMomologianJesus is risen. Now what?The gospel of John gives us a lot to work with when it comes to questions and doubts. Now that Easter has arrived, what are we supposed to do with the Good News?2022-04-2430 minMomologianMomologianHe lives, and so do we: Resurrection SundayWhen Mary came to the tomb, it was dark and she was alone. Until she heard Christ call her by name, and everything changed in that instant.2022-04-1719 minMomologianMomologianLent 5: Practice PresenceWhen Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with the nard, she was practicing presence in a real and embodied way. Our journey through Lent has been leading up this: How can we practice presence in the wilderness?2022-04-0326 minMomologianMomologianLent 4: Practice LoveThe Divine love displayed in the parable of the prodigal child is a love that surpasses understanding. What can it teach us about loving ourselves?2022-03-2729 minMomologianMomologianLent 3: Practice CompassionCompassion is so much more than simply “feeling for someone.” How can we practice compassion for ourselves and each other as a way of connecting to God more deeply?2022-03-2028 minMomologianMomologianLent 2: Practicing VulnerabilityAs we explore our wildernesses during Lent, how does practicing vulnerability with God and ourselves make us stronger and not open to more hurt?2022-03-1332 minMomologianMomologianLent 1: Lent Always Begins in the WildernessLent is a time for introspection and discovery. It’s also a time spent in the wilderness and that can be a scary place to be.2022-03-0619 minMomologianMomologianAnd So It BeginsAs we prepare for the Lenten season to begin this week, what if we focused on fasting from the things that keep us down instead of the few things that bring us joy?2022-02-2723 minMomologianMomologianFaith of Our FriendsSometimes you need the faith of your friends when you just can’t get out of your own way. Sometimes, you are the friend supporting another. The miracle of discipleship is one we are all called into; it’s why we do church, y’all!2022-02-1318 minMomologianMomologianWaiting for the call? This is it.When Simon and his crew were first called by Jesus they had no way of knowing how it would turn out or it it would be worth effort, and still they got out of their boats and followed. Well, we are being called right now - how will *we* respond?2022-02-0627 minMomologianMomologianStory time: Why I stayI’ve been asked why I stay in the church even as I critique it. Well. Here’s my “why.”2022-01-3028 minMomologianMomologianEmbrace and EmbodyWhat does it mean to be the Body of Christ, when the body really doesn’t seem to be looking so good lately?2022-01-2324 minMomologianMomologianLet’s talk about giftsWhat are we doing with our Spiritual gifts in today’s world? Are they tucked away in a drawer? With churches closed due to the pandemic, does that mean our gifts have to wait until church opens again before we use them?2022-01-1624 minMomologianMomologianIt’s a new year. Who’s just not feeling it?The holidays can be so rough for so many reasons. Hear this message of hope for what’s to come even when we just aren’t feeling it.2022-01-0218 minMomologianMomologianAdvent Love is Complicated.Love is a complicated thing, especially Divine Love. The psalmist is struggling with God, Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. And ya’ll? So. Are. We.2021-12-1920 minMomologianMomologianNepantla JoyMary’s joy is an in-between kind of joy. The kind that recognizes her situation and still she can sing. We have all been there. Some of us are there now. What can we learn from Mary’s song about our own Advent journey?2021-12-1224 minMomologianMomologianAdvent Journey Home: When we are feeling everything but hope and peaceAdvent is the start of a new church year. The first week we lit the candle of hope and this week we light the candle of peace. This Advent we are invited to come home for Christmas. A home filled with the love of Christ. Sometimes, though, home isn’t someplace we want to go to! What if we are afraid to go home?2021-12-0519 minMomologianMomologianNotice the lilies of the field. That’s cute, Jesus.On this Thanksgiving Sunday, Jesus asks us not to worry but WOW is that easier said than done. What if not being anxious isn’t something you have the privilege to do? And what if it is? Where is God in all of it?2021-11-2120 minMomologianMomologianPresente: God is HereIs there anything that brings along with it more doubt than grief and grieving? Our revelation scripture for All Saints reminds us that God is always doing something new, perhaps especially in the moments where we wonder where God really is.2021-11-0716 minMomologianMomologianWhy does this Jesus thing have to be so hard?It’s hard to be a thinking and believing Christian. Being a disciple and a follower of Christ is hard. Except when it’s not.2021-10-3125 minMomologianMomologian(Don’t) Stop Acting Like a ChildWhen was the last time you entered into God’s presence like a child? Or did the world take that away from you, too?2021-10-2423 minMomologianMomologianWell? What did you expect?Does anyone come to church actually expecting to encounter God? When we read the Psalms - this week’s reading comes from Psalm 104 - we read about an awesome Creator, but do we believe what we read and sing? Can we have doubts and still have God?2021-10-1721 minMomologianMomologianGod created and it was GOODWhen God created the heavens and the Earth, in the beginning all of creation was called good. Guess what? It still is good. And so. Are. We.2021-10-1023 minMomologianMomologianWell. THAT escalated quickly!Mark 9:38-50 is kind of hard to listen to. This text has been used to perpetuate harm in countless instances. So how can we look deeper to find a message of love and acceptance in a passage that isn’t as “warm and fuzzy” as we would like?2021-09-2628 minMomologianMomologianLet’s be outrageous!In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he calls our attention to the foolishness of the cross. Say WHAT? Hear Rev. Alicia encourage us to embrace the foolishness of our faith and find the power in it.2021-09-1919 minMomologianMomologianWisdom of Who, now?What are the words or images that come to mind when we hear the word "Wisdom?" We live in a society that often tries to separate seeking wisdom from following God's call on our lives. This week's passage from the Wisdom of Solomon reveals something you may find surprising about the Biblical understanding of Wisdom and if it’s possible for faith and knowledge to be friends after all.2021-09-1215 minMomologianMomologianThoughts and Prayers? Really?The epistle reading from James reminds us to be doers and not merely hearers of the word. What does that mean when our society tends to throw “thoughts and prayers” at a crisis without much else?2021-08-2925 minMomologianMomologianSing Your Life Out LoudJoy is an act of resistance in the face of the Empire. When we sing our lives out loud into the world, we share our joy with all who hear our song. Rev. Alicia shares this week’s epistle reading from Ephesians 5:15-20 with a message of joy as resistance.2021-08-1516 minMomologianMomologianReal Talk: The struggle (with our scriptures) is realRev. Alicia invites us into some “real talk” about the epistles, our traditions, and how we can learn from the things that make us uncomfortable.2021-08-0819 minMomologianMomologianLet Us All Do Our PartWe aren’t so different from the Ephesian church. The letter to Ephesus speaks through the ages and asks a hard question: How are we, as Christians, doing our part to build up one another in love?2021-08-0126 minMomologianMomologianDon’t forget to breatheEven Jesus and his disciples needed to take a break in the midst of their ministry. How does today’s gospel reading remind us of the importance of taking time to just breathe? Listen and find out!2021-07-2216 minMomologianMomologianThis I BelieveTransitioning into a church as a new pastor is never easy, and that is certainly the case during the end of a pandemic. Here Reverend Alicia’s first sermon to her new church community as it relates to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the current state of our 21st-century church, and what she believes you all need to know about your “new” pastor.2021-07-2121 minMomologianMomologianIt’s been quiet on here!And guess why? Have a listen…2021-07-0806 minMomologianMomologianThere is a season for all thingsEcclesiastes 3:1-15: there is a season for all things. This is a both/and time. Rev. Alicia’s love letter to her current church family as she prepares to depart for her new church appointment.2021-06-2009 minMomologianMomologianReal Talk: Accountability and the UMCThe title says it all. Listen to Rev. Alicia speak to the issue of human sexuality within the UMC and how we are called to hold the church accountable … and ourselves.2021-06-1333 minMomologianMomologianRevolutionary Act of BaptismBaptism is an act of revolution! Sometimes reality doesn’t always meet our expectations. The baptism of Christ is one of those moments. How? Listen and find out!2021-06-0616 minMomologianMomologianDivine Connection and Rethinking the TrinityThis fourth week of our sermon series takes a twist. Rev. Alicia invites us to rethink the Trinity as a divine connection between the Three In One. How does this messy, beautiful, and funky concept connect not just the Divine 3, but also us to God, one another, and the world? And what do we do with that when the world is such a broken place?2021-05-3031 minMomologianMomologianGeorge Floyd Remembrance and BLM Vigil RemarksThis special recording as of the remarks given at the Bridgewater black lives matter rally and George Floyd memorial vigil. Reverend Alicia speaks on how hard it can be to bring good news when the world doesn’t seem to have any good news to share.2021-05-2715 minMomologianMomologianMay 16th 2021: Looking OUTWeek 3 of our sermon series on the marks of a healthy church community. Looking inward is essential to a community’s health, but so is having an outward focus. In fact, looking OUT is what we are called to do as Christians!2021-05-2122 minMomologianMomologianMay 9th 2021: Inclusivity?Week 2 of our sermon series on the marks of a healthy church community. Our churches claim to be welcoming and inclusive but often times we are anything but! Inclusivity is a buzzword but what is it really? And how do we know if we are truly doing it?2021-05-2129 minMomologianMomologianMay 2nd 2021: “Practicing an Authentic Faith”Week 1 of our sermon series on “The 5 Marks of a Healthy Church Community.” This week we take on authenticity of faith and practices.2021-05-2123 minMomologianMomologianApril 25, 2021: Being Prepared for What Comes Next”What if the Feeding of the 5,000 was less about feeding the crowds and more about showing the disciples how to serve in difficult times?2021-05-2120 minMomologianMomologian“Gone Fishin’”Hear Rev. Alicia’s message on John 21:1-14. How can we respond to Christ calling us when sometimes it feels like we’d rather do anything but?2021-04-1822 minMomologianMomologian“Show and Tell”Gospel reading: John 20:19-31 In this Easter season, what do we do now with the news that Christ is risen? Like Thomas in our Gospel reading, how can we (or others) be expected to believe what we have not seen in person?2021-04-1128 minMomologianMomologianEaster Sunday message: “We are called to Life”Easter message based on John 20:1-18; “...let us in this moment boldly declare I have heard and seen the Lord, and be inspired to live in such a way that others also may know it is true”2021-04-0517 minMomologianMomologianPalm Sunday message: “Look! The whole world is following him!”When fear and tension keeping you from accepting the truth in your midst, how can you live and love extravagantly? How can we live boldly in a world where avoiding discomfort often means staying silent on issues that should be spoken of and confronted?2021-03-2825 minMomologianMomologian“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”This Lenten season we have been exploring the “I am” statements of Jesus as found in the Gospel of John. This episode looks at how the gospel message has been used to harm folks, and how we can reclaim the wisdom within these verses.2021-03-2341 minMomologianMomologianMomologian (Trailer)2021-03-2200 minAsk a Pastor AnythingAsk a Pastor AnythingHow Do You Manage a Life/Ministry Balance? (with Rev. Alicia Vélez Stewart)Follow us on Instagram: @askapastoranything Send in your question via voice message: anchor.fm/askapastoranything/message About Our Guest: Rev. Alicia Vélez Stewart (she/her) is a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston, MA and received her Masters of Divinity from Boston University’s School of Theology. Mom of 4 (not including the pets!), she is pastor of the Bridgewater United Methodist Church in Bridgewater, MA and also serves as chair of the Greater Bridgewater Interfaith Council and as Pastor-in-Residence at Camp Aldersgate in N. Scituate, RI. Rev. Velez Stewart is passionate abo...2020-05-2552 min