Alter Guild

The oppressive fog of White Supremacy looms heavy and thick. In this episode, Meta, Miriam, Matthew, Derek, and Ian confess on behalf of the Church. You can find Alter Guild on Instagram and Facebook or visit our website at www.alterguild.org/.  The Church Confesses White Supremacy is from Meta’s forthcoming book “Speak It Plain: Words for Worship and Life Together” (Fortress Press, December 2020). Please email us at alterguild@gmail.com with any anti-racist liturgical resources you know and use, so we can add it to our list: Anti-Racist Liturgy Resources: The Disrupt Worship Project (disruptworshipproject.com) Enfleshed (enfleshed.com) Dear Church: A Love Letter From a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US by Lenny Duncan

On this installment of Tell it Again! Meta re-tells the story of Vashti and Esther.

Liesl Spitz is a pastor at St. Timothy Lutheran Church (ELCA) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Scripture referenced in today’s episode: 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 5, and 1 Timothy 2. You can find Alter Guild on Instagram and Facebook or visit our website at www.alterguild.org

Amity Lanz and Grace Day re-tell the story of David & Goliath.  And somehow this weird story is comforting today in the age of the Coronavirus...

Tyra Dennis joins Ian McConnell to chop up the story of Jonah and how God is calling all of us to go places...

Theresa Dolata joins the podcast to share the story of Jesus' temptation in the Wilderness & her own journey of giving up hopelessness for Lent.

Welcome to our fourth season of Alter Guild. We would love to hear ideas from you, as we retell stories from scripture in ways that resonate with our world today. If you have an idea for a story, send us an email at alterguild@gmail.com.  You can find out more about our growing network of podcasts at www.alterguild.org 

Alter Guild is excited to launch New Time Religion - a new show on our podcast network featuring Dr. Andy Root! The Church is changing. Or is it declining? Or maybe even dying? New Time Religion tells the story of how the Church got here and where it's going. Join us each week as Andy drills down with the help of social theorists like Charles Taylor, history, theology, philosophy, and, of course, Netflix. Subscribe today on iTunes, leave us a review, and tell a friend or two about our new show! www.twitter.com/newtimereligion www.facebook.com/newtimereligion

Singer/songwriter Jennifer Knapp joins the podcast in our season finale to talk with Miriam about her story, her faith, and what's at the core of it all.

Crystal Cheatham, founder and CEO of the Our Bible App and host of the Lord Have Mercy Podcast, talks with Miriam about carving out progressive, LGBTQ+ affirming spaces so that all people can be who they are.

Emmy Kegler returns to the podcast with Derek & Matthew to talk about their shared identity as nerds, the history of nerds, gender roles in nerd stories, meeting Spock at a comic-con, Princess She-Ra toothbrushes, and more. Emmy's new book One Coin Found comes out soon & can be pre-ordered today on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/One-Coin-Found-Stretches-Margins/dp/1506448216 Follow Alter Guild on instagram www.instagram.com/alterguildpodcast On Facebook at www.facebook.com/alterguild Or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/alterguild    

Meta sits down with Isha Caldwell to talk about empathy, broken systems, mental health, and advocating for others. Follow Alter Guild on Instagram and Facebook @alterguildpodcast Visit our website at www.alterguild.org For more information on Isha and Mental Health Connect, visit www.mhconnect.org

Brian J Evans is a dancer, performer, and citizen artist. Matthew and Brian's conversation centered around perceptions and misperceptions of our identities. Brian shares stories from his own life and from this very moment. In all of Brian's work, he dances across bridges that connect human beings, removing barriers and finding ways that bring us together.  Follow Alter Guild on Instagram and Facebook @alterguildpodcast Visit our website at www.alterguild.org For more information on Brian Evans, visit his website www.brianjevans.org 

There's so much pressure to be who others want us to be during the holidays.  Therapist and pastor Karen Stevensen joins Meta to talk about the healed version of ourselves and how to remember who we actually are. Alter Guild is hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Matthew Ian Fleming, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard.   www.alterguild.org www.facebook.com/alterguild www.twitter.com/alterguild www.instagram.com/alterguildpodcast

Jaimie Crumley and Porsha Williams of the @just2pearls podcast join Miriam to talk about their intersecting identities and showing up as their full selves in the church, academy, and the world. Porsha also hosts the @Porshanality podcast. Alter Guild is hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Matthew Ian Fleming, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard. www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild www.instagram.com/alterguildpodcast

We have all seen enough of masculinity gone awry. From the top floors of corporations and institutions to the basement youth group meetings of our churches, men are formed by unspoken scripts known to many as toxic masculinities. In this episode, Matthew talks with Austen Hartke and Silas Morgan about ways to unearth hidden masculinities and practice a more healthy and embodied life.  With humor and vulnerability, their conversation touches on everything from the #metoo and #churchtoo movements to evangelical dating culture and more. We hope you enjoy it. Visit us at www.alterguild.org Follow us on instagram @alterguildpodcast

Cheryl Philip works in fundraising for a major denominational foundation. She's also a woman, an Indian, and a person of rich and authentic faith. In this episode she reflects on the layers of identity that have formed her and shares a vision for curiosity and generosity that go hand in hand. We are so grateful for the humor and wisdom that Cheryl shared in her interview with Meta.  For more information about Alter Guild, check out our website at www.alterguild.org Follow us on Instagram @alterguildpodcast or find us on Facebook.

Join us for Alter Guild Season Three: At the Core. This season we're exploring what's at the core of who we are - our identity, how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how God sees us. New episodes launch each and every Wednesday with stories from some of our favorite people about what's at the core of who they are. Alter Guild is hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, Matthew Ian Fleming, and Derek Tronsgard. www.facebook.com/alterguild www.twitter.com/alterguild  

Andy Root joins Derek on the pod for some nerd talk about the promise of science, mystery, and our relationships.  We also learn that Darwin was the OG hipster.  Who knew? Andy's book is Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies and is available now. Alter Guild is hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Matthew Ian Fleming, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard.   www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild

Baptism is a big promise, and god-parents are a part of it. Miriam sits down with Peter Carlson Schattauer, Joel Bergeland, and John Rohde Schwehn and talk about what it means to lean into the promise of baptism and godparenting. Alter Guild is hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, Matthew Ian Fleming, and Derek Tronsgard. www.alterguild.org www.facebook.com/alterguild www.twitter.com/alterguild  

Miriam joins Emmy Kegler and Michelle Masselink as they talk about the little and big promises of engagement.

Author and speaker Nora McInerny talks about finding spiritual connection through her husband's death with humor and honesty. Her pastor, Natalia Terfa talks about the ways that promises ground us in all moments of our lives. Listen. Love. Serve. Alter.

We're taking the week off.  But we're cooking up plans for season three.... Hosted by Meta Herrick Carlson, Matthew Ian Fleming, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard. www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild

Derek joins Jim Keat and Bethany Stolle as they talk about technology, social media, and its promises of a better world.Featuring Matthew Ian Fleming, Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard. www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild

Miriam talks with Rozella White about marriage, divorce, and the healing of broken hearts.Featuring Matthew Ian Fleming, Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard.   www.alterguild.orgwww.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild  

Meta invites Sara Freeman and Steph Smith to talk about parenting with privilege in the public school system. How do we keep the promise of good education for all kids, not just our own?  Featuring Matthew Ian Fleming, Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard. www.alterguild.org   www.twitter.com/alterguild   www.facebook.com/alterguild      

Matt hosts as we kick off the season with talk of promises and epic wedding screw-ups. Featuring Matthew Ian Fleming, Meta Herrick Carlson, Miriam Samuelson-Roberts, and Derek Tronsgard www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild      

Alter Guild returns for Season Two - Promises, Promises - on Wednesday, May 16th 2018.   Subscribe today on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. www.alterguild.org www.facebook.com/alterguild www.twitter.com/alterguild

The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. The Word is still living and active, proclaimed and embodied in all of our beauty, brokenness, and diversity. For this final episode of Season One, the Alter Guild invited some of their fine friends to share a Christmas message in thirty seconds or less. We give thanks for the Word and all of the voices who speak and sing it into flesh these days. www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild

When the stable guests had gone, Mary treasured their words in her heart and pondered them. Where and when do we ponder today and what does it feel like? This episode considers being present with the inner voice through two different lenses: introversion and depression. www.alterguild.org Twitter @ FB: @alterguild

Maybe your Christmas memories conjure light and gladness, but also seasons more complicated and painful. In this episode, Derek remembers a complicated Christmas; joyful because it was his first as a father, but scary because his brother was facing his heroin addiction. Note: This episode contains content related to drug addiction, overdose, and recovery. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

The story of the annunciation -- with a teenaged Mary obediently submitting to bear God's Child -- is complicated in light of power dynamics, abuse, and discussions about consent.  In this episode we hear how Mary's consent, agency, and role as a prophet can be reclaimed, and how her story can help the church when discussing sexuality, purity, and power. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

Parenthood is complicated. Step-parenthood is also complicated. Step-parenthood to the Son of God might be the most complicated. The story of Joseph is a story about the ultimate supporting role. The angels never told him it would be easy, but they did promise it would matter. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

A child is born, but in the wake of this joy there is great danger and death. Herod slaughters the innocent infants of Bethlehem in an effort to keep power that does not belong to him. Special Note: This episode contains content related to sexual assault and rape. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

For many, this time of year requires traveling toward family and heritage. But is this the same thing as going home? The holy family returned to Bethlehem for the census. In the same way, so many attend holiday events simply to be counted, which is not the same thing as belonging or feeling known. www.alterguild.org www.twitter.com/alterguild www.facebook.com/alterguild

We spent the season of Advent waiting for a baby to be born. But what about those who wait without a due date and for much longer than four winter weeks? In this episode we consider the ways this waiting is painful or unique for those who journey with infertility or the adoption process. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

Matthew’s gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus. His family tree includes some familiar patriarchs and heroes, but it also lists unlikely women and stories of relationships and bodies broken. What do these ancestors tell us about how God enters our human story? www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

The first verse of the Birth Story is loaded with context that most of us miss. The power struggles and paranoia paint a timeless political landscape. It sets the scene with history, politics, culture, identity, and drama that help us understand the risky threat of baby Jesus. And when push comes to shove, Herod will kill his friends and family to remind you of his love. www.alterguild.org Twitter & FB: @alterguild

We go looking to bend power in the predictable places, but God’s power doesn’t hunker down in a comfortable palace or the strong arm of a paranoid ruler. God’s power has a reputation for rumbling in the resistance. www.alterguild.org   Twitter & FB: @alterguild

Prophets remember the past in order to make sense of their present and to imagine a future. God calls us to resist the pull of nostalgia, instead recalling memories for the sake of building a more honest, just, and beautiful tomorrow. www.alterguild.org   Twitter & FB: @alterguild

Alter Guild Season One - The Twelve Daze of Christmas Promo Episode.  Season One launches Christmas Day - 12/25/17.