In what is becoming something of an annual tradition, join Petra Bagust for a mini Sunday Sanctuary episode made specially for Christmas Eve. Petra is joined in this episode by Michael Frost (church leader and host of the podcast In The Shift). The two talk about how Michael has changed from being "an Easter guy" to being able to embrace Christmas again, in amongst whatever life might be like at the time. Michael also wrote the benediction for the episode, which he shares at the end.

Music:

• O Tannenbaum by The Vince Guaraldi Trio (played during the candle lighting)
• Meri Kirihimete by Erny Belle (played at the end)

You've made it to the end of the year! However you are feeling about the current Advent season and the coming of Christmas, you are welcome to join Petra and producer Sam to reflect on and wrap up Sunday Sanctuary for 2024. Petra and Sam create a mixtape of interview clips that have stuck with them this year, as well as music for your Christmas and summer. There is some space for reflecting on this year and Petra and Sam hear what episodes stuck with listeners this year. Haere mai (come along)!

Music:

• Unforgettable Memories by Mei Dai (first song of the sacred text)
• House of the Rising Sun by The Animals (second song of the sacred text)
• Something on Your Mind by Karen Dalton (played to end Belle's clip)
• Cruisin' to the Park by Durand Jones & The Indications (played to end Jenny's clip)
• Christmas Time is Here by Khruangbin (played to end Malcolm's clip)
• Muramura by Aro (played just after the ad break)
• Christmas Time is Here by The Vince Guaraldi Trio (played during the time for contemplation)
• Love Will Work it Out by Durand Jones & The Indications (played to end Glenn's clip)
• Take Your Time (Do It Right) by The S.O.S Band (played to end James' clip)
• Marilyn by Mount Kimbie (played to end Te Karere's clip)
• Follow My Voice by Julie Byrne (played to end Peter's clip)
• Magic Spell by This is The Kit (played to end Spanky's clip)
• The Light by Group Listening and Cate Le Bon (played to end Ann's clip)
• O Come O Come Emmanuel by Sufjan Stevens (played during the benediction)

Petra and Sam's recommendations:

Books - The Mermaid Chronicles by Megan Dunn and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Albums - Blue Dreams by Holly Arrowsmith and Midday Prayers by The Fuzzy Robes

Films - Never Look Away by Lucy Lawless and Calypte: A Sailing and Surfing Voyage by Torren Martin and Ishka Folkwell

Places to explore - the North Island town of Waipu and Dublin Bay outside of Wānaka

How would you describe your sense of connection with nature? Is it something you think about very often? One way or another, we are all part of the larger eco-system on this planet, and as such, we have a role to play within it.

In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary with Petra Bagust, dive into the beginning of an exploration into how we connect with nature. Up first, Petra sends producer Sam to meet his friend Nat Duchesne, National Youth Camps Director for Scripture Union New Zealand, to ask about her special connection with nature and how she introduces groups of teens to the outdoors. Kerry Manders is the second guest in this episode, telling the story of the intentional choices she made to more closely intertwine her everday life with nature. Stick around for a poem by Wendell Berry, voice memos from people around Aotearoa/New Zealand and a liturgy for sunsets. Our hope is that this episode helps with your own thinking on your relationship with nature and how that then plays out in your life.

Sacred Texts:

Before Dark by Wendell Berry

Music:

The Homeless Wanderer by Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru (Played during Wendell Berry's poem)
Space is the Place by Ezra Collective (Played at the end of Nat's interview)
Beautiful Day by Voom
Low Tides by Christoph El Truento (Played during Community Life)
Cinquante Six by Ali Farka Toure (Played during Communion)
Mother Nature's Son by The Beatles
Climb by Laura Misch (Played at the end of Kerry's interview)
Space 1 by Nala Sinephro (Played during the Liturgy for Sunsets)

Sound Effects credits:

Woodland Stream March 2016.wav by plantmonkey -- https://freesound.org/s/376709/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

woodland_kingfisher.wav by soundbytez -- https://freesound.org/s/114450/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

White throated Kingfisher.wav by genghisattenborough -- https://freesound.org/s/28110/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

tui carnival.aif by tollbooth -- https://freesound.org/s/124935/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bush Atmos 04 - Walking.flac by GammaScorpii -- https://freesound.org/s/252802/ -- License: Attribution 4.0