The Table Church DC

Cast Yourself Into the Sea: Faith When the World Is Burning

Anthony Parrott tackles the question we're all asking: How do we find hope when the world feels like it's burning? Through the unexpected story of discouraged friends going fishing after a crisis, this sermon explores how meaning often shows up in the most ordinary moments—like breakfast on a beach. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by global crises, personal failures, or the daily struggle to keep going, this Easter message offers a fresh perspective on how small acts of community and care can become radical responses to empire and despair. Recorded April 20, 2025.

More Than a Piece in Their Games: Refusing Empire in DC

In a city that often feels like the Capitol from The Hunger Games, how do we maintain our humanity and agency? Pastor Heidi Mills explores what Jesus' radical entrance into Jerusalem teaches us about confronting systems of power without becoming what we oppose. Perfect for anyone tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else's game, searching for ways to create meaningful change in a world that prioritizes power over justice. Drawing parallels between ancient Jerusalem and modern DC, this sermon offers four practical strategies for living with purpose in the shadow of empire.

The Inner Critic Trap: Self-Compassion as Sacred Care

In the final installment of the Sacred Self-Care series, we tackle that voice in your head that never stops criticizing you. If your inner dialogue sounds like someone you'd never want to be friends with, this episode is for you. Learn why researchers say self-flagellation is actually self-defeating, and discover practical ways to replace harsh self-talk with self-compassion. Perfect for anyone who apologizes too much, feels perpetually inadequate, or struggles with the "should monster" that keeps you in a cycle of burnout. Because let's face it—you can't fight for justice in the world while waging war against yourself.

Your Emotions Are a Compass, Not Your Enemy

Former wrestler turned preacher Trevor Wentt breaks down why suppressing your feelings isn't the answer. Through personal stories of depression and King David's intense emotional expressions, he offers a practical 5-step approach to understanding your emotions as valuable signals rather than inconvenient obstacles. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, can't identify what you're feeling, or just want better emotional intelligence, this talk provides actionable strategies for using emotions as guides to what you actually need. Perfect for anyone who's ever been told to "stop being so emotional" or "just get over it."

Feelings Aren't the Enemy: Honoring Your Emotions as Self-Care

In a culture that often tells us to suppress our emotions, what if they're actually trying to tell us something important? In this refreshingly honest conversation, Shae Washington unpacks how our emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—serve a purpose in our lives. Drawing inspiration from Pixar's "Inside Out" and challenging the messaging many of us received growing up ("boys don't cry," "happiness is a choice"), this talk offers practical wisdom for recognizing what your feelings might be signaling about your needs. Whether you've been told anxiety means you lack faith or that sadness should be overcome quickly, this episode provides a framework for treating your emotional life with respect rather than suspicion. Plus, stick around for an adorably instructive "feelings fashion show" from the kids that perfectly demonstrates why children might be our best teachers when it comes to emotional honesty.

You Are Your Best Thing: Embodiment as Radical Self-Love (Tonetta Landis-Aina)

In a world that constantly tells us our bodies need fixing, this sermon explores what it means to truly accept yourself as "your own best thing." Drawing from Toni Morrison's novel Beloved and the ritual of communion, Pastor Tonetta challenges the false division between mind and body that costs us connection, joy, and presence. Discover how reclaiming your body as holy space can be an act of resistance against systems that try to define your worth through appearance. Whether you're wrestling with body image, seeking a healthier relationship with yourself, or curious about how embodiment connects to justice, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be fully human in a society obsessed with perfection.

Ancient Meditation Practices for Modern Anxiety

Feel like meditation might help your anxiety but been told it's not compatible with Christianity? In this episode, Anthony traces Christian meditation back to its ancient roots, explaining how desert monks used contemplative practices as resistance against empire and power. He breaks down four practical meditation techniques you can try today: Centering Prayer, Breath Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Imaginative Prayer. Learn how these practices can actually reshape your brain while connecting you with a tradition older than you might have realized. Perfect for stressed millennials trying to reconnect with spirituality in an authentic way.

Sacred Self-Care: Why Rest Comes Before Work (Not After)

In a culture that valorizes productivity and constant connection, taking time for yourself can feel selfish or indulgent—especially for those committed to social justice. But what if rest isn't just a reward for hard work, but the foundation that makes meaningful work possible? In this episode, Pastor Anthony challenges our workaholic mindset by exploring what Genesis, the prophets, and even Jesus have to say about rest. Plus, he opens up about his own recent struggle with anxiety and the hard lesson that none of us—not even pastors—are exempt from needing care. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or just need permission to take a break, this candid conversation offers a refreshing alternative to the "grind til you die" mentality.