We are doing the work of reclaiming Scripture– together.
There's no single way to participate. Below is every way to gather, from the lightest touch to the deepest commitment.
Every gathering we do, whether it's one evening or seven months, is built around the same core practice: a Scripture Circle. Small groups sit with a biblical text together, asking questions of Scripture rather than settling for one answer. No one teaches down to the group. No one hands you an answer key. You bring your questions, your history, your doubt, and your perspective. We learn from the gathered wisdom of the community.
Start Free
Not ready for a circle yet? Our newsletter and podcast let you wrestle with us before you ever walk into a room.
Newsletter. Subscribe for reflections and program updates.
Podcast. Listen to Searching the Sacred wherever you get podcasts.
The heart of what we do is relational. If you find yourself in need of care or conversation, especially when experiencing the loneliness of church loss or the isolation of faith shifts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Steph or Lisa would love to grab coffee with you.
Come Once
Open Circles. A Scripture Circle held as a two-hour evening. Bring one question you're carrying and sit with 8 to 14 others carrying their own. No history with 40 Orchards required. See upcoming dates.
Lent Lunches. A Scripture Circle held as a midday series during Lent. One of the easiest doors in. Bring a friend who's never done this before. See upcoming dates.
Advent Evening. A single gathering to mark the start of the church year, held in the waiting of Advent. See upcoming dates.
Come for a Full Day
Full Day Reclaiming Circles. Some things take more than a couple of hours. These immersive weekend days make room to sit with the theology you inherited and find something more expansive. Recent days: Reclaiming Sin, a day about human goodness and repair. Reclaiming Heaven and Hell, a day about how to live now. Reclaiming God's Plan, a day about agency and co-creation. See upcoming dates.
Join an Ongoing Circle
Ancestors Roots. A Scripture Circle held monthly across nine months, in person, tracing the ancestors of Scripture through Genesis, Exodus, and the Prophets. For people who want the same group across a full season, not just a single night. See upcoming dates.
Join a Cohort
Justice & Faith Cohort. A seven month learning community rooted in Scripture, the history of justice movements, and what has been lived and fought for here in the Twin Cities. This is for anyone doing justice work, including leaders, organizers, chaplains, and neighbors looking for a framework that goes deeper. This is for those who are ready to connect faith and action. Learn more and apply.
For Faith Leaders & Communities
A different kind of invitation, for pastors, church staff, and organizations wanting to bring this work to their people.
Pastors Learning Community. An annual cycle for pastors and faith leaders, January through May: a shared cohort curriculum, two open circles in the fall, and a winter retreat. New words and readings each year, so returning pastors keep going deeper instead of repeating ground. Now a core part of how we form clergy across the Twin Cities.
Church & Community Partnerships. We bring 40 Orchards into your church staff, your home group, your team. Some of our longest-running circles didn't start with us, they started with someone who asked us in. Options range from a single Formation Day for your leaders to an ongoing partnership circle. If you lead a community and want to explore what this could look like for your people, contact Steph or Lisa.