Episodes

  • Hope Beyond Despair with Steve Garnaas-Holmes

    Hope Beyond Despair with Steve Garnaas-Holmes
    Nov 19 2024
    Not all heroes wear capes, and not all preachers use pulpits. Some use newsletters and websites, like Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes. Pastor Steve writes spiritual poetry for his flock, 7,000 people from all around the country and world. On the morning after the US presidential election, Pastor Steve sent out a poem that helped bring many back from the depths of fear and despair. A couple days later, we had a conversation about what keeps Pastor Steve from giving in to despair, what's holding everything together, and what we're called to do in these difficult days. I hope this conversation is a little thing that keeps hope alive in you. And just a note: like many of the best pastors our there, Pastor Steve uses a few fun words, a little bit of choice language. Seems appropriate.

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    52 mins
  • Don't Be Afraid with Violet Johnicker

    Don't Be Afraid with Violet Johnicker
    Nov 5 2024
    It's election day in the United States! And we are afraid. This election has extremely high stakes, and the outcome will have significant impact on our lives. In the midst of times of fear, Jesus asks his disciples not to be afraid, not to let fear control us and take over our call to be people of love. Uh, Jesus? How do we do this? Last Sunday, Rev. Violet Johnicker reminded her congregation that, when his life was on the line, and a tense peace was about to descend into violence, Jesus told his followers, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." We hope this message brings you a bit of peace and calm on a difficult day.

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    45 mins
  • Reforming our Communities with Wilma Reyes

    Reforming our Communities with Wilma Reyes
    Nov 5 2024
    Rev. Wilma Reyes is doing a lot of new things: living in a new part of the country, pastoring three churches of different denominations, and helping people see new ways to build community. It might be human nature to divide people into insiders and outsiders, but the barrier-breaking love of Jesus asks us to choose a different way. Some leaders in our social and political landscape would like to limit whose voices are heard. Pastor Wilma, empowered by Jesus, is building a community where all voices are lifted up and heard.

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    45 mins
  • Bonhoeffer's Joy with Molly Fraser

    Bonhoeffer's Joy with Molly Fraser
    Nov 2 2024
    In times of turmoil and uncertainty, we look for role models to show us the way. Rev. Molly Fraser is using Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a guide for her congregation, helping them reflect more deeply on what it means to pick up their cross. It may sound counterintuitive, but sacrifice can be the path to joy. What kind of sacrifices are we being called to make---and what sacrifices are we not prepared to make? Along the way, we talk about changing worship practices, being pastors and moms, and the power of sharing a good story.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • Stories of Aspiration with Steve Horswill-Johnston

    Stories of Aspiration with Steve Horswill-Johnston
    Oct 23 2024
    You know that feeling when you go back to your elementary school and the place seems to have shrunk? This week, Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston returns to his first pastoral appointment out of seminary. In the 30 years since he served as Associate Pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd, he has become a guru of communications for United Methodists. He crafted the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors campaign, served as a consultant at Dreamworks Studios, won multiple Emmys for his work as a filmmaker, and is now the COO for Claremont School of Theology. Rev. HoJo reflects on aspirations that lead to action, sea changes that leave us feeling uncertain, and how the act of planting seeds in others' lives binds us together.

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    35 mins
  • No Pretending with Jessie Connor

    No Pretending with Jessie Connor
    Oct 15 2024
    By Rev. Jessie Connor's own admission, the topic of her last sermon makes her cringe. "Piety" is not a positive word for her, bringing up images of people who pretend to be better than others. And yet, being pious is a core United Methodist value. Pastor Jessie helps us see that piety really just means "living together in loving community," something we all want. So how do we live together in love? It's not about showy-offy behaviors; it's about personal reflection and quiet growth, bumping along together, and buoying each other through life. Join our conversation, where Pastor Jessie shows us that loving community involves pitching old couches, releasing control over the mic, and learning to roller skate.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    44 mins
  • Finding More with Austin Adkinson

    Finding More with Austin Adkinson
    Oct 9 2024
    This week I talk with Rev. Austin Adkinson from Light of the Hill United Methodist Church in Puyallup, Washington. Jesus tells his followers that if your hand or foot is causing you to sin, cut it off. What? This is not a recommendation for hasty amputations, but instead an encouragement to go beyond your first reaction to things, to be more thoughtful, deliberate, and wise about your attitudes and actions. In our world of hot takes and comment section take downs, it would be great if we could move past our worst thoughts so that our best thoughts are what guide us.

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    40 mins
  • Amplifying the Migrant Story with Jen Stuart

    Amplifying the Migrant Story with Jen Stuart
    Oct 1 2024
    Rev. Jen Stuart spent a week in an Immigration Immersion program on the US/Mexico border in Arizona. Now that she's home with her congregation in Bend, Oregon, she's lifting up the stories of the people she met. Jen reminds us that almost every story in our Scripture is about human migration. God has to constantly remind people to welcome the stranger among them. How do the stories of immigrants shape our policies and our faith?

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    39 mins