Cafeteria Christian

We asked, and you all responded! This week Emmy and Natalia read and talk about the ways Cafeterians have church shopped and how it went.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia answer our most commonly asked listener question about churches and how to find a “good” church that also is safe, but also has good music, and also good preaching, and and and and and.  Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia welcome Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics to spend a little time talking about the intersections of faith and politics and why we haven't given up on either just yet.  Links: Pantsuit Politics: https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/    Sarah Bessey Article: https://sarahbessey.substack.com/p/are-we-still-calling-ourselves-christians    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk about a few stories about Christianity that have been in the news this week, and why it matters to stay in this faith thing, even when it feels like it would be easier to just walk away. www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Natalia drags Emmy into her rabbit hole of interest in the papacy and tries to convince her that it matters and that we should care - even if we're super not Catholic. http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   

Emmy offers a short meditation on life after Easter Sunday.  Content warning for discussion of a suicide attempt. www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia talk about hope - and why it is so hard to hold onto right now, and what we are doing to hold onto hope when everything else is telling us to just let it go.  Poem: Hope is Not a Thing with Feathers Emily, It Is a Sewer Rat - by Caitlin Seida www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia talk about how we show up during a week of complicated emotions and feelings, and one that often has a lot of church baggage attached to it. As we get closer to this particular week in the church, let's reflect on what really matters about each day, and why. http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia get into a deeply theological talk about God and faith and life right now and why scripture is still relevant and where God is right now.    Notes:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian  Book Club Form link: https://forms.gle/QobkVMPsvLQX44QP7

Emmy and Natalia welcome Jeff Chu to talk about his new book, Good Soil.    Get Jeff's Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729761/good-soil-by-jeff-chu/  See Jeff on his book tour: https://byjeffchu.com/tour www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia welcomes back friend of the pod friend of God Angela Denker to talk about her new book “Disciples of White Jesus: the Radicalization of American Boyhood.” This is a relevant, timely, and important book for anyone connected to young men and boys.  Links for Angela: Angela's Website: https://www.angeladenker.com/  Buy Angela's Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/disciples-of-white-jesus-the-radicalization-of-american-boyhood-angela-denker/21600261?ean=9798889830757&next=t  See Angela at upcoming events: https://www.angeladenker.com/upcoming-events  Angela's Substack: https://angeladenker.substack.com/    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

OMG we can't believe we have to say this (Empathy is Christian) but it turns out some people are really pushing an anti-compassion anti-empathy rhetoric right now and Emmy and Natalia are here to clear the air.  We check in about baby eagles and new cars to start, and the main topic begins around min 15.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Jackie and Shadow Webcam: https://www.youtube.com/live/B4-L2nfGcuE?si=nVwiY_CmKADYDv6Y  Kate's Blessing for Empathy: https://katebowler.com/blessings/a-blessing-for-everyday-empathy-because-hey-sensitivity-isnt-a-bad-thing/  

Emmy and Natalia talk about Lent and the rollercoaster of this whole season in the church: ups and downs and ups and downs and ups? It's a lot. When life is already a lot. How do we do this sad season when life feels pretty sad on its own? www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Links:  Emmy's Article: https://sojo.net/articles/unintended-consequences-spiritual-discipline Kate's Lent Devotional: https://katebowler.com/seasonal_devotional/the-hardest-part/#individual

Emmy and Natalia take some time to talk about a newly controversial topic: The Bible. Hahahahaha obviously this isn't new, but we thought we'd start with a set of familiar verses to dig into for our return to reclaiming the Bible for good.  Notes:  Spencer LaJoy - Plowshare Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHQ9FoQC3BI  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia welcomes back Ellie Roscher to talk about how we stay in our bodies despite the many ways the world is trying to get us to disengage, and how we can show up as regulated as possible each day, no matter what is happening.    Links: www.ellieroscher.com www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk about the different large and small ways they are trying to survive and manage their mental, physical, and spiritual health during this new era.    Links: Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer: https://www.wordwoman.com/a-daily-dose-of-poetry/ Natalia's Weekly Uplift: https://www.nataliaterfa.com/uplift www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia sit down with the amazing Erin Hicks Moon to talk about her new book: I”ve God Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God. Cafeterians, Erin is our people, and this book is for us.    Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   Erin Hicks Moon details: Buy/preorder her book: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/i-ve-got-questions/419610  Follow Erin: ErinHMoon on all the things  Also her podcast - Faith Adjacent: https://faithadjacent.com/  Her newsletter - The Swipe Up: https://erinhmoon.substack.com/

Emmy and Natalia welcome author Stephanie Duncan Smith for an utterly gorgeous conversation about life's cycles of loss and grief and joy.    Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian https://stephanieduncansmith.substack.com/  @stephduncansmith on instagram  

Emmy and Natalia talk about the complicated feelings about this particular January 20th - when we celebrate MLKJr Day and also the presidential inauguration day and how it all cycles into our ability to believe, not believe, and act with love anyway.    Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  The Drum Major Instinct: https://bethlehemfarm.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DrumMajorInstinct.pdf

Emmy and Natalia celebrate their 300th episode (!) and reflect on where they've been and where they're going next, and how where we are now really feels like a good time to go back to our roots.  Links:  Alter Guild, ep 12: Ritual Promise - https://go.ivoox.com/rf/35237112 www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk about Christmas and why it's so often filled with stress and shoulds instead of peace and joy.  After this episode we'll be taking a break until January 13th, but in between now and then join us for two Instagram Lives (on top of the usual Sunday morning ones).  December 21st, 8:30pm (central standard time) - to celebrate the solstice/longest night.  January 6th, 11am (central standard time) - to draw star words for anyone who wants one (which you can participate in by filling out THIS FORM)    Other links/notes from the episode:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Emmy's Church Map: https://insideoutfaith.org/twincitieschristmas/  Mary on the Mantle: https://beaheart.com/collections/maryonthemantel Chasing Empty Mangers song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t0nqEa54m0   

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about the different Christmas story narratives in the different Gospels, and why they are different and if it matters or not when they are.    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk about Advent, and why it's not a “warm glow” season but actually a truth-telling season and kind of the perfect way to spend a few weeks right now - when everything feels like it's on fire and no one is ok.    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk about Thanksgiving and the tentative and tender ways some of us are showing up at various tables, or the ways we are choosing to not show up at all.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia decide to open the Bible to the book of Judges to see what wisdom for today might be found in these not-so-modern stories.    Links:  www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Melissa Florer Bixler: https://substack.com/home/post/p-151371020

Emmy and Natalia try to gather their thoughts and their feelings around the election results and talk through what they are doing with all their thoughts and feelings at this time - without trying to explain what happened or pretending to have answers.    Links:  https://churchanew.org/brueggemann/beyond-a-fetal-position www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia read some poetry and Scripture and blessings to help us all through this chaotic and overwhelming and anxious time. Because we all need it, whenever we need it.    Support the show and what we do here: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   Resources from today's episode: “Blessing in the Chaos” from The Cure for Sorrow - by Jan Richardson First Nations Version: https://firstnationsversion.com/book/first-nations-version/  Romans 8: 31-39 Lamentations 3: 19-30, 49-57 Luke 6, Matthew 5  John 18:33-38 Book of Common Prayer  Traditional Collect for the Nation Contemporary Collect for Social Justice excerpt from Madeleine L'Engle from Rhythm of Prayer - by Sarah Bessey  “For the Nation” from Ordinary Blessings, by Meta Herrick Carlson “For Feeling It All”, from Blessings for the Lives We Actually Have, by Kate Bowler  How to Love the World, by James Crews  Hope, by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer   

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about the complicated topic of salvation. Who has it? Does everyone get it? Can we lose it? SO many questions… so buckle up! Support the show: http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

While Natalia is galavanting in Paris, Emmy brings on her longtime bestie Catherine to talk about vocation, parenting a leukemia patient during a pandemic, the lack of good contemporary music in ELCA churches, and how grace shows up in everyday life. Support the show: http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes professor and author Jennifer Powell McNutt to talk about her new book and to talk (*GUSH*) about Mary Magdalene and why she is awesome.   Links:  Jennifer's book: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-mary-we-forgot/417641  Jennifer's Substack: https://jenniferpowellmcnutt.substack.com/  Holly Carey's book: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802879158/women-who-do/  Socials: @jpowellmcnutt on most of the things  

Emmy and Natalia talk about what Christians are mad about now (spoiler: it's Halloween).  What's the history, why is it not about the devil at all? And how does this kind of moral panic happen anyway?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   You're Wrong About - Satanic Panic https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-satanic-panic/id1380008439?i=1000465289932 CC 243 - Witchy Season https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/243-the-witchy-season/id1422007489?i=1000630680657   

Emmy and Natalia answer another very timely listener question about the pastoral call process and how it works and how you know it's right or not right.  Support the show! http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Matthew's Book!: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497044/The-End-Is-the-Beginning  

Emmy and Natalia continue their journey through the sacraments with the Rite of Confirmation. Is it a sacrament or a ritual? Why do we do it? Do we have to do it? Are we more or less holy depending on our confirmation status? So many good questions to dig into.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about what it means that we're all loved the way we are and how our lives are supposed to be for a “purpose.”  What purpose? Is that really true? Or is it just a holdover from some toxic early 2000s theology?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia keep the sacramental conversation going with confession - what is it and do we need and why do we do it and does it even matter if it's not officially a sacrament for everyone?  Patreon: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia do a little more sacramental conversation and then move into a current topic of political anointing. Does God anoint candidates? How do we talk to people who believe certain people are anointed for a particular political position and others are not?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia continue the conversation from open tables and communion last week into talking about baptism this week. What's it for? Do we need it? What's the right way? We don't have all the answers, but we do have some opinions! http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about communion - what it's for, who it's for, and why we do it. We also get introduce a new segment called “What are Christians mad about this week” and Emmy gives us another fun fact in Christian history.    Links and Notes:  Books talked about in this episode: “Eat This Bread” by Sara Miles, “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans   www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   

Emmy and Natalia are back after our long time apart and we do our best to catch up on the latest news and what we're up to and why Christians are mad about so many things right now. Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia finally takes Emmy (and all of us) to school about Mary Magdalene and why she is awesome. (AND why we should all love her as much as Natalia does.)  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://www.elizabethschrader.com/about-7  Lecture: https://youtu.be/_b3Y3cJ0Ic8  Book: Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson  “All the Marys” Sermon by Diana Butler Bass: https://dianabutlerbass.com/wp-content/uploads/All-the-Marys-Sermon.pdf

Nora opens her Bible and tackles some verses given to her by Natalia, and then Natalia reacts to it. Digressions include Amos cookies, and noisy children. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Find other shows on the network at http://alterguild.org

Emmy and Natalia welcome Kate Bowler to talk about life and faith and hard things and hope in the midst of uncertainty. We laugh, we cry, we solve all the things! Order Kate's new book today: No Cure for Being Human. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Support us at our Patreon page.  Visit our website or follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristian Learn more about our network of podcasts, Alter Guild.

Pastor Emmy Kegler, friend of the pod, friend of God, introduces bam bam Christians and takes on the clobber verses that people use to wound and harm LGBTQ people. Find more about Emmy's work and pre-order her new book at www.emmykegler.com. Want to support Cafeteria Christian? Visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Follow us on Instagram or join our Facebook page @cafeteriachristian

Natalia welcomes episcopal priest and tiktok reverend Lizzie McManus-Dail to talk about second-wave deconstruction, internet theologians, and why joy is at the core of everything.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Follow Lizzie: rev.lizzie on all the things  Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin Texas: https://www.jubileeatx.org/  Lizzie's podcast: And Also With You - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/and-also-with-you/ Pre-order Lizzie's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593850874?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Natalia welcomes back Ellie Roscher to talk about body stories and why it matters for us to learn our own and not just why but also HOW.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Ellie's website: www.ellieroscher.com Ellie's online community: www.plumwellness.com  Previous Episodes:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/239-tiny-things-and-holy-ground/id1422007489?i=1000627457949  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embodiment-as-a-spiritual-practice/id1422007489?i=1000603083063  Embodied Path Part 1 : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-w-ellie-roscher-pt-1/id1422007489?i=1000586974702  Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-part-2-embodied-church/id1422007489?i=1000590690026  Part 3: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-pt-3/id1422007489?i=1000594710923

Natalia shares a chapter from “A is for Alabaster” from Dr Anna Carter Florence, reflecting on a lesser known scripture story from a new perspective.    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia and Jesse talk about some of the things on their minds with graduation season, education, teachers, and then move into a conversation about rest and sabbath, cults, and community. We cover a lot of ground, because our trays are full! (again, sorry Jesse) Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Event for MN Cafeterians - Faith on the Rocks: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/GWvF9cLZPvrNcsbH/

Natalia welcomes back Colleen Lindstrom to talk about summer stress and how it is somehow busier and why that's not always better. What if we did less? What if we stopped going for the gold and didn't seize every day this summer?    Colleen info:  www.bronzemedallife.com Link to previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/249-the-bronze-medal-life-w-colleen-lindstorm/id1422007489?i=1000635475829   

Natalia welcomes Pastor Aaron Fuller all the way from Bratislava Slovakia to talk about moral injury and why it might be the key to understanding why we are the way we are, and what to do about it. http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: https://wrestlinginspiredfaith.blog/ Books Aaron Recommended:  Truth and Repair, by Judith Herman If I Betray These Words, by Wendy Dean  

Natalia welcomes spoken word poet, creator, and author Joe Davis to talk about art, creativity, and why it matters to reconnect to the inner creative force within all of us.  Joe's info: www.joedavispoetry.com New Book: Unearthing Us - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unearthing-us-joe-davis/1145510356?ean=9781506499994  Join the Practice: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/product-page/finding-your-freedom-practice-holistic-wellness-through-the-arts