Casey Banks
@revcaseybanks.bsky.social
Pastor, parent, political enthusiast. Procrastinator and recovering perfectionist. Probably ADHD.
Church booth at Newberg Pride! We handed out rainbow bracelets that referenced the Psalmist who knew that every fiber of our being is "wonderfully made" by God. Also handed out a devotional booklet of queer Christian prayers and poems.
June 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Church booth at Newberg Pride! We handed out rainbow bracelets that referenced the Psalmist who knew that every fiber of our being is "wonderfully made" by God. Also handed out a devotional booklet of queer Christian prayers and poems.
My shameful pleasure is Love is Blind. This season, I loved seeing two women assert that political neutrality from their partner isn't good enough for them. Only privileged people, for whom the system is working, get to be apathetic about politics.
March 12, 2025 at 12:37 AM
My shameful pleasure is Love is Blind. This season, I loved seeing two women assert that political neutrality from their partner isn't good enough for them. Only privileged people, for whom the system is working, get to be apathetic about politics.
Was struggling to find a preaching angle for the Mark story of Jesus walking on water. Found inspiration in some verses from an ancient Indian philosophical text.
February 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Was struggling to find a preaching angle for the Mark story of Jesus walking on water. Found inspiration in some verses from an ancient Indian philosophical text.
End of year reports are an absolute nightmare. And yet, I appreciate the story we know because of the data. Average worship attendance grew. Program expenses grew. Capital expenses mean we are investing in our future. The data also tells me it's probably time to hold another confirmation class!
February 11, 2025 at 10:54 PM
End of year reports are an absolute nightmare. And yet, I appreciate the story we know because of the data. Average worship attendance grew. Program expenses grew. Capital expenses mean we are investing in our future. The data also tells me it's probably time to hold another confirmation class!
Ten years from now, the US might be doing its own Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address all the horrors it's about to unleash on Gaza if Congress doesn't stop this.
February 5, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Ten years from now, the US might be doing its own Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address all the horrors it's about to unleash on Gaza if Congress doesn't stop this.
So...Trump wants to gentrify an entire nation now?
February 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
So...Trump wants to gentrify an entire nation now?
Trump has said he could end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. But his solutions are always for the victim to just give in to the aggressors. Want to stop schoolyard bullying? Trump would say it's simple! The bullied kids should just give their lunch money to the bullies. Problem solved!
February 5, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Trump has said he could end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. But his solutions are always for the victim to just give in to the aggressors. Want to stop schoolyard bullying? Trump would say it's simple! The bullied kids should just give their lunch money to the bullies. Problem solved!
I've never used E.L.F. makeup, but I might now. Any other companies want to publicly defend their DEI practices?
January 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I've never used E.L.F. makeup, but I might now. Any other companies want to publicly defend their DEI practices?
Great day with good clergy mama friends talking ministry, toddler shenanigans, politics, and books over ramen and coffee.
January 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Great day with good clergy mama friends talking ministry, toddler shenanigans, politics, and books over ramen and coffee.
Blessed are the merciful. And the peacemakers.
Prophets know the dangers of speaking truth to power. It's literally life-risking. That's why she wrote the book on being brave .
Prophets know the dangers of speaking truth to power. It's literally life-risking. That's why she wrote the book on being brave .
January 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Blessed are the merciful. And the peacemakers.
Prophets know the dangers of speaking truth to power. It's literally life-risking. That's why she wrote the book on being brave .
Prophets know the dangers of speaking truth to power. It's literally life-risking. That's why she wrote the book on being brave .
Reposted by Casey Banks
There are some other layers; patriarchy, Christianity, & white supremacy.
But the main enabler of ALL of those things right now is Capitalism.
Until we start challenging our own values & decide that we’re not going to value greed over humans, we’re going to keep getting this techno-fuedalism.
But the main enabler of ALL of those things right now is Capitalism.
Until we start challenging our own values & decide that we’re not going to value greed over humans, we’re going to keep getting this techno-fuedalism.
January 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
There are some other layers; patriarchy, Christianity, & white supremacy.
But the main enabler of ALL of those things right now is Capitalism.
Until we start challenging our own values & decide that we’re not going to value greed over humans, we’re going to keep getting this techno-fuedalism.
But the main enabler of ALL of those things right now is Capitalism.
Until we start challenging our own values & decide that we’re not going to value greed over humans, we’re going to keep getting this techno-fuedalism.
Trump, not a practicing Christian, said that a sermon by a Bishop could have been better. Personally, I only take sermon critiques from sincere believers.
January 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Trump, not a practicing Christian, said that a sermon by a Bishop could have been better. Personally, I only take sermon critiques from sincere believers.
Had the joy of walking with Rupert UMC this weekend as they crafted their new board covenant and made some excellent mission-based goals. I love this work. When we simplify our governance, we have more capacity for mission.
January 19, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Had the joy of walking with Rupert UMC this weekend as they crafted their new board covenant and made some excellent mission-based goals. I love this work. When we simplify our governance, we have more capacity for mission.
I am in a battle against snails. It is maddening. I have called in the assassins to help. I have resorted to stealing and freezing their eggs. You bring home ONE plant from the pet store for your aquarium with ONE unintended hitchhiker and your carefully curated ecosystem is never the same!
January 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I am in a battle against snails. It is maddening. I have called in the assassins to help. I have resorted to stealing and freezing their eggs. You bring home ONE plant from the pet store for your aquarium with ONE unintended hitchhiker and your carefully curated ecosystem is never the same!
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they weren't the first in their family to do so. Joseph's ancestors Naomi and Ruth arrived at Bethlehem as a homeless family with mixed citizenship statuses. From them came King David's lineage. Great things from humble immigrant beginnings.
December 22, 2024 at 8:25 PM
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they weren't the first in their family to do so. Joseph's ancestors Naomi and Ruth arrived at Bethlehem as a homeless family with mixed citizenship statuses. From them came King David's lineage. Great things from humble immigrant beginnings.
Just spent 1.5 hours on a Zoom call with city planners to give input on rules for short term rentals. Only 3 of us there. I know not everyone has the free time to invest in local politics, but it's fairly easy to influence local policy--you just need to make an effort to show up.
December 5, 2024 at 4:09 AM
Just spent 1.5 hours on a Zoom call with city planners to give input on rules for short term rentals. Only 3 of us there. I know not everyone has the free time to invest in local politics, but it's fairly easy to influence local policy--you just need to make an effort to show up.
It's Advent! Sermon summary: sometimes Caesar calls for a census and taxes and we don't have a choice. But we have SO much agency to pursue justice and show kindness. You don't have to change the world-- but you do have to positively impact your corner of it.
December 2, 2024 at 10:39 PM
It's Advent! Sermon summary: sometimes Caesar calls for a census and taxes and we don't have a choice. But we have SO much agency to pursue justice and show kindness. You don't have to change the world-- but you do have to positively impact your corner of it.
After the election, a wise colleague said "This isn't the work we wanted to do, but it's the work we must now do."
November 25, 2024 at 6:13 PM
After the election, a wise colleague said "This isn't the work we wanted to do, but it's the work we must now do."
Spent the morning giving thanks for the many volunteers at Newberg First United Methodist who make ministries of hunger relief, affordable housing, and hospitality happen. Thanks be to God for people who know that the call to love our neighbors is a call to act.
November 24, 2024 at 11:29 PM
Spent the morning giving thanks for the many volunteers at Newberg First United Methodist who make ministries of hunger relief, affordable housing, and hospitality happen. Thanks be to God for people who know that the call to love our neighbors is a call to act.
The Lord appeared to Abraham under oak trees...twice. Been preaching that story lately and the image of an oak tree has become a symbol of God's presence for me.
To seek justice and resist evil, we need the courage that comes from knowing God is with us. Look up. There are oak trees overhead.
To seek justice and resist evil, we need the courage that comes from knowing God is with us. Look up. There are oak trees overhead.
November 20, 2024 at 3:26 AM
The Lord appeared to Abraham under oak trees...twice. Been preaching that story lately and the image of an oak tree has become a symbol of God's presence for me.
To seek justice and resist evil, we need the courage that comes from knowing God is with us. Look up. There are oak trees overhead.
To seek justice and resist evil, we need the courage that comes from knowing God is with us. Look up. There are oak trees overhead.
Yoga thoughts: This is an exercise in "good enough." My body, tired and achy and unable to do the poses properly, is made of good earth-stuff, shaped by God's hands and enlivened by God's own breath. And yours is too. Jesus's crucifixion taught us to recognize God in broken bodies. Namaste.
November 18, 2024 at 9:18 PM
Yoga thoughts: This is an exercise in "good enough." My body, tired and achy and unable to do the poses properly, is made of good earth-stuff, shaped by God's hands and enlivened by God's own breath. And yours is too. Jesus's crucifixion taught us to recognize God in broken bodies. Namaste.
Community is like a potluck. The menu is shaped by who shows up. Even if all they think they are bringing is themselves and their hunger, their laughter & stories naturally come too...and the meal will be better because of their presence. No one is truly empty-handed at a potluck.
November 18, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Community is like a potluck. The menu is shaped by who shows up. Even if all they think they are bringing is themselves and their hunger, their laughter & stories naturally come too...and the meal will be better because of their presence. No one is truly empty-handed at a potluck.
First post of a new social media account. Always strange. What to choose?!?
Sharing a photo of a journal page I'm preaching about tomorrow. My vision of community is a potluck picnic under the shade of a tree. Bring what you are able. All will be fed. There is room for you here.
Sharing a photo of a journal page I'm preaching about tomorrow. My vision of community is a potluck picnic under the shade of a tree. Bring what you are able. All will be fed. There is room for you here.
November 16, 2024 at 11:56 PM
First post of a new social media account. Always strange. What to choose?!?
Sharing a photo of a journal page I'm preaching about tomorrow. My vision of community is a potluck picnic under the shade of a tree. Bring what you are able. All will be fed. There is room for you here.
Sharing a photo of a journal page I'm preaching about tomorrow. My vision of community is a potluck picnic under the shade of a tree. Bring what you are able. All will be fed. There is room for you here.