Easy Jesus Has Left the Church Poem
Jesus Has Left the Building!
A podcast sponsored by Black Forest Community Church
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Jesus Has Left the Building!
A podcast sponsored by Black Forest Community Church
We are thrilled to introduce a third host for this Season on "Fostering Interconnection." Check out Lillie Benowitz....
Lillie Benowitz (she/they) is a relationship weaver and space builder. She is energized by cultivating relationships on their own terms, creating containers for connection, and fostering innovative expressions of spiritual practice, ritual, and community. Lillie most recently was the Pastoral Engagement Associate at The On Being Project where they nourished, accompanied, and emboldened religious and spiritual leaders in the work of social healing. She is currently in a period of discernment to determine what's next and is excited to co-host Season Six of the Jesus Has Left the Building podcast.
Lillie holds a bachelor's in Africana Studies and Politics from Mount Holyoke College, was a 2019 New Leaders Council Fellow, and currently serves on the board of Shir Tikvah Congregation. They are based on Dakota Land in so called Minneapolis, MN and feel most grounded connecting with beloveds, practicing Jewish ritual, or curled up with a book and her morning coffee. Learn more about Lillie: https://lilliebenowitz.com/
In Season Six, we'll focus on "Fostering Interconnection." We are talking with faith leaders (doing extraordinary things in the world!) from multiple religious traditions about how they are cultivating communities in our independent modern existence. While these podcast conversations have mostly focused on Christian communities, we find value in learning across traditions and practices as a way of unlocking possibilities and inspiration at this moment. In this season, we will talk to leaders about how they are creating experiences to reconcile and regenerate individuals and communities.
We will drop the first episode in May! Stay tuned and subscribe to JHLTB on Apple Podcast and Spotify to get notices!
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We are grateful to Black Forest Community Church and the Tributary Fund of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ for their financial support of our podcast. We could not do this work without all who support Jesus Has Left the Building!
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us all to reimagine what our world looks like, and church ministry is no exception. For way too long, Jesus, the radical revolutionary of the Gospels, has been held hostage by a domesticated, polite, and watered-down church. What does it mean to follow Jesus? How do we leave the comforts of our old and familiar church life and do the hard work that Jesus is calling us to do? How can we reclaim the identity of "Christian" as the revolutionary way of Jesus? In this podcast, Jesus Has Left the Building, Marta and Mandy (and some special guests) explore these questions in order to help bring about God's kin-dom, on earth as it is in heaven.
A little About Marta & Mandy
Rev. Marta Fioriti and Mandy Todd have been friends and colleagues for over a decade. Since 2019, they have been partners in ministry at Black Forest Community Church, a small but mighty United Church of Christ congregation in northern Colorado Springs. With fearlessness and creativity, melding a unique combination of innovation and tradition, Marta and Mandy are committed to creating intentional gathering spaces within the congregational setting and within the Jesus Has Left the Building community.
Words Shape Worlds
Words Shape Worlds
WORDS SHAPE WORLDS
Our guest for Episode six is M Barclay, the director and co-founder of Enfleshed. Enfleshed is one of our favorite resources for liturgy, prayers, and other words, because of the focus on collective liberation. In this episode, Words Shape Worlds, we spend a lot of time discussing deconstruction and the ways we can reconstruct through fostering interconnection.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Presence Rather Than Perfection
Presence Rather Than Perfection
PRESENCE RATHER THAN PERFECTION
In Episode 5, Presence Rather than Perfection, Marta, Mandy & Lillie talk to Omar El-Hawagi, a screenwriter, employment discrimination attorney, and co-founder of the inclusive, spiritual Muslim organization, Grassroot Islam. Omar brings a presence and joy that we can't wait to share with you.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Creativity is Code Word for God
Creativity is Code Word for God
CREATIVITY IS CODE WORD FOR GOD
In Episode 4, Creativity is Code Word for God, Marta and Lillie speak with Rabbi Adina Allen, a spiritual leader, writer and social innovator. Adina is the co-founder and Creative Director of the Jewish Studio Project, and Bay area based organization that uses art making as a tool for Jewish learning, self-discovery and social change. Adina share how her community uses art to foster interconnection, both in person and online.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
The Sacred is Always Here
The Sacred is Always Here
THE SACRED IS ALWAYS HERE
In Episode 3 of Season 6, The Sacred is Always Here, we talk with Rev. Jen Crow & Rev. Arif Mamdani, pastors of First Universalist in Minneapolis, Minnesota, about the ways they are breaking down the patriarchy and decolonizing their congregation, in partnership with their leaders. We talk about the ways the sacred shows up in such amazing ways, and what is emerging in this moment in time, and how it connects us together.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Resources mentioned in this episode!
White Supremacy Culture
Emergent Strategy
My Grandmother's Hands
To See and Be Seen
To See and Be Seen
TO SEE AND BE SEEN
In this Second episode of season 6 called, To See and Be Seen, Marta, Mandy and Lillie talk about Rev. Jen Butler, a UCC minister in Corvallis, Oregon, at First Congregational United Church of Christ where she has been a co-conspirator in the work of community and restoration since 2010. In the last three years, a focus of her ministry has been as a community organizer at the intersections of poverty and housing and as founder of the SafePlace program where she tries to live in-service to those experiencing houselessness by cultivating communities of belonging.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Make Holy Sparks Fly
Make Holy Sparks Fly
MAKE HOLY SPARKS FLY
In this first episode of season 6 Make Holy Sparks Fly, Marta & Mandy with Lillie Benowitz about why she's joining our team this season, her in-between time, and how she came to be a relationship weaver and space builder. What we love most about Lillie is her desire to create containers for connection. In this episode, we will get to know Lillie better and be inspired to create containers for connection, too!
Learn more about Lillie here.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
How Can the Church Bridge the Divide?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 6)
How Can the Church Bridge the Divide?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 6)
How can the church Bridge the GaP?
Our country, and our world, is so divided, especially following this global pandemic. What is the church's role in finding common ground, while still upholding our values? How do we build relationships with people who are so different than we are? How do we protect the "least of these" when we can't even agree on basic human rights?
Marta and Mandy don't have a whole lot of answers, but in this final episode of Season 5, they attempt to hold space for these challenging questions. With challenging questions posed by BFCC matriarchs Leslie & Cindy, they discuss the need to do our own inner work and examining our own systems of power and privilege that turn us away from the ways of Jesus.
How Can the Church Dismantle Patriarchy?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 5)
How Can the Church Dismantle Patriarchy?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 5)
How can the church Dismantle Patriarchy?
After a big fat long break (because life happened, big time ), Marta & Mandy are back discuss another big question from church member Levi: the church and patriarchy. As Levi says, patriarchy might be considered the church's "original sin" from which all other forms of oppression stem. How do we turn over the tables in the church and the world to right the wrongs of patriarchy over millennia?
Listen in as we talk about the ways we turn over little tables to try to make some change in our own communities. And sometimes, that starts by taking a break when you need it.
How Can the Church Support Its Families?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 4)
How Can the Church Support Its Families?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 4)
How can the church support its families?
Marta, Mandy & Roger have an in depth conversation with author Frank Schaeffer about his new book, "Fall in Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy." They talk about the ways capitalism fails families, and the way the church falls into the same traps. They consider ways that the church and other societal structures and institutions can truly support the families in their midst. Frank is a delightful human and a vibrant guest who, in true JHLTB fashion, leaves us with more questions than answers.
Learn more about Frank's work on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter, and be sure to check out his podcast, In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer.
Why Are We So Afraid of Death?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 3)
Why Are We So Afraid of Death?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 3)
Why Are we so afraid of death?
Rev. Pedro Silva asks Marta and Mandy about why as Christians, we are so afraid of death, even though we believe in resurrection. The conversation that ensues brings even more questions to light, as we turn over tables, check under rocks, and truly explore one of the deepest held tenets of of Christian tradition.
How Do We Cultivate Leadership in Healthy Ways?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 2)
How Do We Cultivate Leadership in Healthy Ways?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 2)
How do we cultivate Leadership in Healthy Ways?
In many churches, leadership structures stifle creativity and innovation. How do we get outside the box to create more fluid structures that honor all people's gifts - ministers, church staff, and lay people alike? Marta and Mandy explore Acts 16:10-15, and the ways Paul and Lydia lead their communities as they reflect on this question from guest Corina Hurst.
Why is the Church SO Freaking Safe?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 1)
Why is the Church SO Freaking Safe?
Season 5: Turning over Tables (Episode 1)
Why is the church so Freaking Safe?
Episode 1 starts strong with challenging us to think about why the church so rarely engages in the kind of bold, risky behaviors Jesus did when he flipped over the tables in the temple, pushing out the commerce in that holy space. We hope to liberate ourselves from structures and systems that no longer serve us as we talk about the hard questions. When we talk about hard things and make transparent what is not working, we might just dare to change it. The things that we hide or keep secret are the things that get neglected and will not transform. Transformation only happens with care and attention. And, we are in the transforming business.
Grumpy Ol' Prophet
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 7)
Grumpy Ol' Prophet
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 7)
GRumpy Ol' Prophet
In the final episode of Season 4, Follow Me and Subscribe, Marta and Mandy are joined by Starlette Thomas. Starlette is a self-described "Grumpy Ol' Prophet," and her podcast, The Raceless Gospel, takes her listeners to church and to a virtual church where she and her guests tackle that taboo trinity— race, religion and politics.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Author, activist, visual artist and race abolitionist, Starlette is a womanist in ministry and the principal architect of a raceless world. A pastor, denominational leader and clergy coach, she is a natural shepherd of words and people, leading both to their authentic and best expression. She is a graduate of both Buffalo State College and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. An unrepentant academician and bibliophile, she is presently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., studying ecclesiology, the intersections of gender, politics and race and their interplay for a transformative spirituality. She regularly writes on the socio-political construct of race and its longstanding membership in the Church in North America as a contributing columnist at Good Faith Media and on her blog www.racelessgospel.com.
The Art of Storytelling
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 6)
The Art of Storytelling
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 6)
The Art of storytelling
In the penultimate episode of Season 4, Marta and Mandy chat with Leslie Sheley, member of Black Forest Community Church, and creator of the Instagram page ilovebarbies31. Leslie shares with us the lives of her Barbie friends who do wildly creative and deeply important work in their world.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leslie grew up on a farm in North Dakota and thought she would be a farmer's wife but ended up marrying her brother's friend and roommate, Stan, from the AF Academy. They have one son who lives in Pueblo and is the next best thing to... well to nothing; he's the best! After 35 years of living all over the country, Stan retired in 2020 and fortunately they have been able to stay in COS. Leslie is thrilled to be the Ministry Coordinator for BFCC. She is grateful for her church family since her brothers and their families all live in other states; can you tell that family is everything to her! She also writes for The New Falcon Herald paper.
Some things we mentioned in this episode:
Bishop Michael Curry's book Love is the Way
Priya Parker's book The Art of Gathering
Roger Butt's book Seeds of Devotion
NYTimes article
NPR article
It's About the Everybody
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 5)
It's About the Everybody
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 5)
It's About the Everybody
In Episode 5 of Season 4, Marta and Mandy talk to Doug Pagitt, an innovative ministry pioneer. Doug talks about Vote Common Good, about hosting a podcast 5 days a week (!!!) and about the ways that technology of all sorts can help us share the good news.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Doug Pagitt is the Executive Director and one of the founders of Vote Common Good. Doug is an author, pastor, social activist and Executive Director of Vote Common Good. A leading voice for progressive Christianity, Doug makes frequent national media and speaking appearances. His new book, Outdoing Jesus, is available now. You can learn more at DougPagitt.com.
Feeding the 5000
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 3)
Feeding the 5000
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 3)
Feeding the 5000
In Episode 4 of Season 4, Marta and Mandy talk to Lawrence Richardson. Lawrence shares his wealth of knowledge of and experience in social ministry. He gives us some simple tools to use to be successful in this new digital world.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson is a pastor, prophet, digital evangelist, and author. He is a graduate of St. Catherine University and Liberty Seminary, where he was trained in Sociology, Communications, Pastoral Care, Evangelism, and Christian Ministry. Rev. Richardson has also completed certifications for Antiracism Facilitator Training, Our Whole Lives Sexuality Training, Church Planting, Digital Media Strategy, and Executive Leadership Coaching.
Rev. Richardson is on staff as lead minister at Linden Hills UCC, is a media trainer for Auburn Seminary, and works as an executive clergy coach for Convergence US. Rev. Richardson also sits on boards, and has active partnerships with the Evangelical Church of Germany, collaborating on digital ministry projects.
Rev. Richardson has received awards and commendations for his service, including the Humanitarian Award from Black Transmen Inc. and the Stellar Award for his work in global communication. You can read more about him and his work at www.ltrichardson.com
The Best Kept Secret
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 3)
The Best Kept Secret
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 3)
THe Best Kept Secret
In Episode 3 of Season 4, Marta and Mandy talk to Sarah TevisTownes. Sarah is a pastor of a local UCC congregation in Albuquerque, NM, and she is also a TikTok pastor, with over 100,000 followers of @goodshepherdabq.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
The Rev. Sarah TevisTownes is the Pastor and Teacher at Church of the Good Shepherd UCC in Albuquerque, NM and the Moderator of the Southwest Conference. She's also a mom, service dog handler, rock climber, and giant nerd. She's a graduate of PSR and Duke University who's lived around the world, including stays in Spain, Micronesia, and Japan. Her Tik Tok Channel, @GoodShepherdABQ, is known for its comical sketches that share love and spill tea about topics ranging from the Bible to racism to self-care.
Check Sarah out on TikTok, and at the church she serves.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 2)
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 2)
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
In Episode 2 of Season 4, Marta and Mandy talk to Mitch Randall and Autumn Lockett of Good Faith Media. They explore the ways that social media ministry can expand the work of the institutional church, and how when one organization thrives, we all thrive.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Mitch is the chief executive officer and Autumn is the executive director of development and marketing at Good Faith Media. Launched in July 2020, GFM is the result of a merger between two historic Baptist entities: Baptists Today (operating as Nurturing Faith) and Baptist Center for Ethics (operating as EthicsDaily.com). Good Faith Media provides reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. Combining an entrepreneurial mindset and a nimble staff, GFM strives to be a leading resource for people of faith who wish to stay informed about the pressing issues of the day and to be equipped to engage constructively in working for justice. GFM's high quality, timely resources are provided through four primary channels: news and opinion, video and podcasts, publishing (books and journal), and experiences.
Follow Good Faith Media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Zoom Head
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 1)
Zoom Head
Season 4: Follow Me and Subscribe (Episode 1)
Zoom Head
In this first episode of Season 4 - Follow Me and Subscribe, Marta and Mandy talk about the ways that digital ministry has exploded during the pandemic. They discuss how Zoom helped (and hindered) the life of the church during this international crisis. They also chat with with Andrew Ponder Williams who used Zoom to begin a UCC student ministry at Arizona State University in the midst of Covid-19.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
This season relies heavily on a lecture presented by Dr. Jeffrey Mahan at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
Check out Dr. Mahan's lecture here!
Learn more about Andrew and his work!
Shape Shifting with Jesus
Shape Shifting with Jesus
Season 3, Episode 6
Our final guest of our third season is Reverend Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D. Jacqui is a public theologian and the first Black and the first female senior minister at the progressive, multicultural Collegiate Church in Manhattan, which dates to 1628. A graduate of Princeton Seminary and Drew University, she is the creator of the MSNBC online show Just Faith and the PBS show Chapter and Verse, in which she led important conversations about culture and current events. She curates an annual national conference called Revolutionary Love focused on activism and imagining a more perfect union. She was the co-producer of the star-studded Juneteenth Now—Get Us Free celebration. She has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Ebony, and Essence and has appeared on CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, and ABC. Raised mostly in Chicago, she now lives with her husband in Manhattan. Today, we talk about Jacqui's work at Middle Collegiate Church, following a devastating fire that destroyed the sanctuary of their building on December 5, 2020, about Jacqui's new book, Fierce Love, which will be available in November 2021, and about how, using Jesus' example, we can shape shift our way through ministering during a pandemic.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
RESOURCES!
Learn more about Middle Collegiate Church
Find out more about the fire, and how you can help Middle Rise again!
Pre-order Jacqui's new book, Fierce Love, which will be released on November 9, 2021
Watch this amazing video that was created following the fire.
Consider checking out the virtual Revolutionary Love conference, April 15-18, 2021
Good Christian Women
Good Christian Women
Season 3, Episode 5
This episode features The #goodchristianwoman AKA Kai Lee Mykels or Kai Brown (she/they). Kai Lee is a drag queen, stand-up comedian, emcee, lip sync assassin, published writer, ordained minister, live singer, and music conductor. They are currently the Music Director and Lay Pastor of Mission and Innovation at First Christian Church, Colorado Springs. They are active throughout queer communities as a leader who promotes love and justice. We talk about drag culture, Christianity, community, eternal damnation, and almost everything in between, with just a few expletives thrown in.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Resources!
See Kai Lee perform at Icons in Colorado Springs! The Kabaret - every Friday night at 7:45pm, Bingo Brunch - Sundays at 11am or 1pm
Learn more about the history of Drag with some documentaries & shows:
Paris is Burning
Pose
Legendary
Curious about the Enneagram? Check it out here!
Breaking Bread
Breaking Bread
Season 3, Episode Four
Today's guest is Fr. Teri Haroun. Her pronouns are she/her/hers, and she is a gluten-free, gummy-bear loving poet, parent, and priest. She serves as pastor at Light of Christ in Longmont, Colorado and enjoys reading, crocheting, walking, and moose-ology (all the things you learn about God when you get yourself caught between a mama moose and her babies). She is also in Marta's Doctor of Ministry cohort at Iliff School of Theology. We talk about the joy of choosing your own name, about sacramental justice, and about how the pandemic has helped us to focus into our callings.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Resources!
Learn more about the Ecumenical Catholic Communion movement, and Teri's church, Light of Christ in Longmont, CO
Check out Barbara Brown Taylor's book, Learning to Walk in the Dark
Poetry by Teri Haroun
"daffodil, Incarnation, Christ"
the first daffodil is a prophet
in our midst
rising from dirt
and hollowed darkness
having broken seed and ground
responding to light
persistent like spring
shouting yellow like a megaphone
for cheerleaders
and lead cheerers alike
before butterflies and lady bugs
instead arriving with the worms and robins
from her earthen womb
a birth announcement
that there is more to come
more birthing
more yellowing
more lighting
more robins
and butterflies too
the prophetic cantor
singing
polkas for one
today
but tomorrow
a festival
of prophets and priests
and other party goers
dusting off dirt
in resurrection's wake
©️ Teri Harroun, 2020
"not afraid of the dark"
no one taught the girl child to be
afraid
of the dark
so she wasn't,
the blueberry night sky
would beckon her from dreams;
she'd sit
like ancients
on magic carpet patches of grassy knolls
enveloped by the cavern beauty
night
one night she stood,
stretched
and found the flame in her pocket
stretched some more
to light the moon,
having not learned to be afraid of the dark
the night
she was ready to teach
all are welcome now
to partake of that full communion, moon
elevated over an earthen altar
her blood in the chalice called human body
priestess child
with more flame still in her pocket
©️ Teri Harroun, 2018
"Poetry 101"
in the poetry workshop
she learned
to write the poem
and then eliminate the last line
and they lived happily ever after,
is now eliminated
and it was all fine,
just fine,
until she started to wonder
where those last lines went;
to index cards
or a list in a notebook?
scratched out with pink pen
or smudged with a wet finger?
do they know each other?
those removed last lines.
index cards living in the same box?
or are they all individually fated,
a compost bin with the coffee grounds most likely
perhaps we each
were once the last line of a poem
removed from one poem
to begin another
she imagines taking all those last lines
the jagged edges and the misfits
and putting them altogether
to love in the same poem now
stitched together with
garden twine and simple sunshine
and a drop of dew on the rose petals
with a newly discovered basement out back
holding the stories
of women creating and waiting
for that last line
to be put into a poem
or a prayer
or even a runaway
©️Teri Harroun, 2020
"medicine"
we are like the rocks
our medicine is deep within
our holiness attracts the children
who keep us in their pockets as treasure if they can
or climb upon our sturdy bounty
perhaps the pebble that changes the lake
forever
and all the colors can be found in the rocks
and all the shapes
and all the sizes
and all are part of the sacred rock
earth
© Teri Harroun 2017
"it is not a sin to wear pants"
it is not a sin to wear pants
Mulan, St. Joan of Arc, Marinus, Pope Joan, Anne Bonny
it is not a sin to wear pants
to disguise yourself
as a man
to do the things
peculiarly
reserved for men,
it is not a sin to wear pants
to be pirate or priest
or military might
to study in university
to travel in safety
or farm on you own,
it is not a sin to wear pants
be subversive, oh, be subversive
claim what is yours
live what you dream
pave for the next generation
or mine,
it is not a sin to wear pants
one day little girls
will be inspired by you
your courage
your creativity
your persistence,
and they will wear pants
but not in disguise,
it is not a sin to wear pants
©️Teri Harroun, 2017
Truth & Conciliation
Truth & Conciliation
Season 3, Episode 3
Trans Etiquette 101 - and More!
Trans Etiquette 101 - and More!
Season 3, Episode 2
In this episode, we are joined by our amazing friend and member of Black Forest Community Church, Captain Alivia Stehlik. Alivia is an active duty Army officer currently serving as the physical therapist for a brigade combat team at Fort Carson. She is a graduate of West Point and Ranger School, a former infantry platoon leader, and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. She's also a proud transgender woman. In February 2019, she testified about her experiences as a transgender woman in the army before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel. She has since continued to advocate for her trans military peers, as well as conduct education and advocacy for the LGBTQ community locally and around the country. In this 2nd episode of season 3, Alivia shares her own stories of social action and where she finds her own seeds of devotion. She also gives us a practical and super helpful guide to Trans Etiquette.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Resources!
Alivia shared the music that's speaking to her right now. Click here to check out Vitamin String Quartet!
Check out this Open Letter to the Women of Firsts
Here's Alivia's list of Trans Etiquette Guidelines:
Terminology:
- Transgender (not transgenders or transgendered or transvestite or transsexual - though this last one may be slightly generational)
- Trans/transgender people (not transgenders)
- Trans man = female to male = assigned female at birth = a man ~= he/him/his
- Trans woman = male to female = assigned male at birth = a woman ~= she/her/hers
- Non-binary = someone who falls outside of the binary gender spectrum. May use a variety of different pronouns, including they/them/theirs
- Intersex = people born with any of several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals that do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies. Intersex people may or may not identify as transgender.
DO:
-If you're not sure about someone's pronouns, it's ok to ask. In professional settings, get used to introducing yourself with your own pronouns. It normalizes it for everyone else.
-USE OUR PRONOUNS. If you mess up, apologize briefly and move on - no need to dwell
Don't:
-Ask about surgeries
-Ask if our families are ok with us
-Ask what our real/old/dead name is
-Ask us what our biological sex is
-Ask if you can ask us a personal question - if you wouldn't want to be asked the same question, it's not polite.
R. Butts & T. Swift
R. Butts & T. Swift
Season 3, episode 1
In episode 1, we are joined by Roger Butts, author of Seeds of Devotion: Weekly Contemplations on Faith. Reverend Roger Butts is Staff Chaplain at Penrose St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs. Ordained in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, he is a long time member of the UU Christian Fellowship and the International Thomas Merton Society. He has served congregations in Iowa and Colorado. His writings have appeared in a number of anthologies and newspapers. He organizes a couple of centering prayer groups in Colorado Springs. He loves music, pop culture, tennis, his three teenagers, his black lab, and his minister wife, Marta.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
RESOURCES!
Seeds of Devotion: Weekly Contemplations on Faith
Centering Prayer
Thomas Merton
Taylor Swift's 2 (!) pandemic albums
Seasons 1 & 2
Seasons 1 & 2
Episode 1- Get Your Blue Jeans On!
Episode 1- Get Your Blue Jeans On!
Season 1, Episode 1 - Get Your Blue Jeans On!
In this episode, the hosts Marta and Mandy have a conversation about the newly released book "Who will Be a Witness" by Drew Hart that will guide the first season. Dr. Hart begins the book telling the story of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. changing out of his suit and tie and into his blue jeans at an pivotal moment in the freedom movement in 1963. We're invited to put our blue jeans on as a sign that we're ready to join in God's plan for justice, love and deliverance.
Listen to the podcast here!
Watch the video here!
Want to learn more about MLK and his blue jeans? Check out this article!
Episode 2 - Sociopolitical Theater, Say What?
Episode 2 - Sociopolitical Theater, Say What?
Season 1, Episode 2
In episode 2, called "Socio Political Theater, Say What?," Marta & Mandy talk with Jenn Stiles Williams and Steve MacKinnon, ministry partners at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida. Using the first chapter of Drew Hart's book, "Who Will Be A Witness" as guide, we explore sociopolitical theater in both the time of Jesus, and in our current day. We're invited to consider how we can weaponize empathy as we join in God's plan for justice, love and deliverance.
Listen to the podcast here!
Watch the video here!
We were gifted to hear about Theater at St. Luke's from Jen and Steve. You can learn more about the amazing ministry of Theater at St. Luke's on Facebook!
You can also join St. Luke's LIVE Thursdays in October at 7:30 EST (5:30 MST) for a special ORIGINAL weekly miniseries, followed by a live online forum with local leaders discussing advocacy and ways to get involved.
Your voice. Your vote. Your family. Your health. Your livelihood. Your rights. Your equity. Your inclusion. Your sanity. Your survival. They count, but will their voice, their vote, their families, their health, their livelihood, their rights, their equity, their inclusion, their sanity, their survival, will your community count? Make it count. The Power of One
Tune in here on Facebook!
Episode 3 - Our Common Fate
Episode 3 - Our Common Fate
Season 1, Episode 3
Our Common Fate features Shane Claiborne and Mike Martin. Shane is a Christian activist, advocating for nonviolence and service to the poor. He is the author of many books, including Beating Guns: Hope for People Who are Weary of Violence, which he co-authored with friend and peace activist Mike Martin. Mike is the founder and executive director of the national non-profit RawTools.
Using the second chapter of "Who Will Be A Witness" as guide, we explore the biblical character Barabbas and his relationship with Jesus. We discuss Barabbas' role in this Holy story instead of diluting, domesticating or misdirecting the meaning of Barabbas in relationship to Jesus.
Listen to the podcast here:
Apple Podcasts
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Watch the video podcast here.
Resources!
To learn more about Shane Claiborne's work in the world, click here.
To learn more about Mike Martin and RAWtools, click here.
Check out Mike & Shane's book Beating Guns: Hope For People Who Are Weary of Violence.
Link to Common Prayer.
To read about Nat Turner who led a violent revolt against slavery in 1863, click here.
For more on Walter Bruggemann and his book, Prophetic Imagination, check out this episode of On Being with Krista Tippett.
Episode 4 - #peaceisdisruptive
Episode 4 - #peaceisdisruptive
Season 1, Episode 4
#peaceisdistruptive, features Sarah Jackson and Hannah Martin. Sarah is the Executive Director of Casa de Paz and the director of Volleyball Internacional which helps fund Casa de Paz, and she authored the recently published book, "The House that Love Built." Hannah Martin coordinates the accompaniment team and trains volunteers for the Accompaniment and Sanctuary Coalition of Colorado Springs. The Sanctuary Coalition is a group of faith communities who advocate for the rights of immigrants in our city and nation.
Using the third chapter of "Who Will Be A Witness" as guide, we talk about the supremacist captivity of the church and disruptive peace. We are excited to share the stories of Hannah and Sarah and their work with the immigrant community.
Listen to the podcast here.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Watch the video podcast here.
Resources!
Check out Casa de Paz on Facebook!
Check out Sarah's book "The House That Love Built"
Check out The Accompaniment and Sanctuary Coalition of Colorado Springs on Facebook!
Episode 5 - Speak the Truth Even if Your Voice Shakes
Episode 5 - Speak the Truth Even if Your Voice Shakes
season 1, Episode 5
Episode 5, called Speak the Truth Even if Your Voice Shakes, features Rev. Dr. Benjamin Reynolds. Using the fourth chapter of "Who Will Be A Witness" as guide, we talk about the prophetic witness of the historically Black church. We will also talk about creating safe places for truth-telling and listening. And we will dive into the idea of prophetic leadership- how to practice it and what it looks like.
Listen to the podcast here.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Watch the video podcast here.
Resources!
Benjamin mentioned two documentaries: A Most Beautiful Thing and I Am Not Your Negro. Check them out!
Our Holy Vocation
Our Holy Vocation
Season 1, Episode 6
Our Holy Vocation, features Rev. Kyndall Rothaus and Rev. Aurelia Pratt. Kyndall is a spiritual guide, preacher, poet, author, and feminist theologian. She is one of the co-founders of a preaching conference called Nevertheless She Preached. Aurelia is the Lead Pastor at Peace of Christ Church in Round Rock, Texas, where she is also a founding member. Aurelia is President of the board for the Nevertheless, She Preached conference.
Using the fifth chapter of "Who Will Be A Witness" as a guide, we talk about the politics of the church and how the modern day Christian community is organized around societal norms that often marginalize some.
Listen to the podcast here.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Watch the video podcast here
Resources!
Nevertheless She Preached
Kyndall Rae Rothaus Consulting
Peace of Christ Church
Imagine Heaven on Earth
Imagine Heaven on Earth
Season 1, Episode 7
Imagine Heaven on Earth features Rev. Lydia Munoz. Lydia is the pastor of Swarthmore United Methodist Church in Swarthmore, PA. She has over 20 years of diverse experience leading worship and bringing about justice. She is passionate about developing a fully inclusive congregation where courageous conversations and reconciling opportunities can happen, where peacemaking can be made and love can grow as an expression of justice.Using the sixth chapter of "Who Will Be A Witness" as a guide, we talk about Justice and the Worshipping Community, and how we are formed in corporate worship so that we will be disciples in the world.
Listen to the podcast here:
Apple Podcasts
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Watch the video podcast here
Resources!
Spirituals: Music of the Soil and the Soul, an article by Eileen Gunther
Episode 8 - The Love Gap
Episode 8 - The Love Gap
Season 1 Finale - Episode 8
Episode 8, The Love Gap, is the final of the first season of Jesus Has Left the Building, and we feature two amazing guests:
Drew Hart is an author, activist, and professor in theology in the Bible and Religion department at Messiah University. He is also the author of the book "Who Will Be a Witness" that has been guiding our first season of this podcast.
John Dorhauer, the General President of the United Church of Christ, who is on a mission to make the UCC vital and relevant.
Using the last three chapters of "Who Will Be A Witness" as a guide, we will focus on redistribution of resources, the pillars that hold up systemic injustices and diverse Christian perspectives and responsibilities.
Listen to the podcast here:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Watch the podcast here
Resources!
Black Owned Businesses in Colorado Springs
Love is the Way
Love is the Way
Season 2, Episode 1
For six weeks we will be reading together Love is the Way, Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry. Season 2, Episode 1 features BFCC church members Cindy and JJ Halsey and Sharon Grady - along with Marta and Mandy. During this time we discuss what stuck out to us about chapters 1 and 2: What is This Thing Called Love? And Looking for God.
Cindy and JJ live in Peyton, CO with their teenage son and receive occasional visits by their young adult daughter. Cindy has a gaggle of pets, a craft room where she sews and quilts and is an unapologetic liberal. She loves doing the church financial books. JJ is a local firefighter- now serving in administration. He thought he would never join a church….until invited to join BFCC a year ago. Sharon Grady is a retired Air Force Jag living in Monument, CO with her dog Maka. She, with her late husband Cliff, found BFCC because they were looking for an ONA faith community. They both have stories of growing up and living as African Americans in this country- especially during the Civil Rights Movement.
Using the first two chapters of "Love is the Way" as a guide, we talk about Agape Love, what that means for us and for Bishop Curry.
Listen on Spotify here!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
It's Possible - We Promise
Season 2, Episode 2
It's Possible - We Promise
Season 2, Episode 2
Season 2, Episode 2
Together, we are reading, Love is the Way, Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry, the U.S. Episcopal Bishop. This week's conversations are guided by chapters 3, Making Do and Making New, and 4, What Desmond Tutu and Dolly Parton Have in Common.
We talk about the stories that we choose to tell, after experiencing evil in the world, and how we can allow God to work through us, just as a potter transforms clay. We talk with church members John and Emily Osburn and Art Navalta - along with Marta and Mandy.
Listen on Spotify here!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
You're a Superhero
Season 2, Episode 3
You're a Superhero
Season 2, Episode 3
Repeal & Reveal!
Repeal & Reveal!
Season 2, Episode 4
This episode's conversations are guided by chapters 7, Leave No One Behind, and 8, When the Spirit Reworks You.
We lean into Karl Barth's advice that the way to do theology is with the bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, as we talk about who our neighbors are with our Seminarian Intern Sylvia Canty, church members Alivia Stehlik and John and Emily Osburn.
Listen on Spotify here!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
Out of Many, One
Season 2, Episode 5
Out of Many, One
Season 2, Episode 5
Season 2, Episode 5
Season 2, Episode 5 just dropped! In this one, we're guided by chapters 9, The Real E Pluribus Unum, and 10, The Great Relationship Revival, as we are joined again by church members Art Navalta and Cindy Halsey. We hear stories of struggle and unity from these returning guests.
Listen on Spotify here!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
Keeping the Bible Weird
Season 2, Episode 6
Keeping the Bible Weird
Season 2, Episode 6
Season 2, Episode 6
With this episode, we conclude our study of the newly released book, Love is the Way, Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry, the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US. We talk about the final chapters of the book and how they relate to transfiguration sunday, Valentine's Day, and this moment in the history of our nation. We're grateful to be joined again by church members Sharon Grady and Leslie Sheley, and Roger Butts.
Listen on Spotify here!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
Source: https://www.blackforestcommunitychurch.org/jhltb
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