Beginning July 12, we begin a new worship series titled Mortgaged.
You likely already know what a mortgage is. We borrow from the future in order to enjoy something today. Sometimes that borrowing helps us build something lasting. A home mortgage, for example, may create stability and opportunity for generations.
But not all mortgages work that way.
Throughout this series, we’ll explore a simple but important question: What are we borrowing from the future, and what are we leaving behind?
To accompany our conversations, we will be reading The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Many of you may recognize Kimmerer as the author of the bestselling book Braiding Sweetgrass. A botanist, teacher, and gifted storyteller, she invites readers to look at the natural world not merely as a collection of resources to consume, but as a community of relationships built on gift, gratitude, and mutual care.
At the center of the book is a simple observation.
When a serviceberry tree produces fruit, it does not create scarcity. It creates abundance. Birds eat. Animals eat. People eat. Seeds spread. New life grows. The tree participates in a cycle of generosity that benefits the entire community.
Kimmerer asks what might happen if we learned to see our lives through a similar lens.
What if fulfillment comes not from accumulating more, but from participating more fully in relationships of generosity? What if the things we value most cannot be bought or sold? What if the future is something we are called to nurture rather than consume?
These questions lie at the heart of our faith as well. Scripture consistently reminds us that life is a gift, that creation is entrusted to our care, and that our neighbors are not competitors but companions.
You do not need to read any or all of this book to follow our series. However, the book is a short and accessible read. We simply invite you to read along as we explore these themes together.
Here is a suggested reading schedule:
| Sundays | Chapters |
|---|---|
| July 12 | Intro & Ch 1 |
| July 19 | Chapters 2 & 3 |
| July 26 | Chapter 4 |
| August 2 | Chapters 5 & 6 |
| August 9 | Ch 7 & Invitation |
Whether you read every page or simply join us for worship, we hope this book expands your imagination and helps us ask a deeper question together:
What kind of future are we creating for those who come after us?
We’ll have a few books available for purchase at $10 each. Additional copies of the hardcover edition are available through Amazon for $11. This book is available in paperback, but at a slightly higher cost on Amazon. You should also be able to find this book at the local library.
Our Book Club does not meet as a group. However, our weekly messages reference that week’s chapters or themes. You can anticipate spoiler alerts unless you keep up with the pace. You can purchase your own copy or visit your local library.
You can contact our office with questions by phone or simply type your question or enter a prayer request on our website’s homepage — FlintAsburyChurch.org.
Pastor Tommy
Robin Wall Kimmerer. The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. New York: Scribner, 2024.