COBCast - The Church of the Brethren Podcast

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Dina Milito. Carolyn Strong plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Ruth Auckerman. Nancy Miner plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Jess Hoffert. Nancy Miner plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Paul Stutzman. Nancy Miner plays "It is well" on piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Kurt Borgmann and David Waas. Nancy Miner plays "Move in our Midst" and Kara Miller plays "I have decided to follow Jesus" on piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/ and https://www.facebook.com/deathrowsupportproject.

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Paige Butzlaff. Nancy Miner plays piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio, watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gratitude reception for Rachel at Annual Conference on July 5. Learn more about Death Row Support Project at https://www.brethren.org/drsp/ and https://www.facebook.com/deathrowsupportproject.

Duane Grady reads "A Special Christmas Eve" from the December issue of Messenger. Kara Miller plays "In the bleak midwinter" and Nancy Miner plays "Let all mortal flesh keep silent" and "There's a song in the air." 

"Some of the disciples went to the tomb to see for themselves. They just couldn't comprehend what the women were telling them. "Why didn't they believe them? Why didn't they have faith? "Why don't we? Do we continue to stare into an empty tomb?" Traci Rabenstein reads her article "Are we still at the tomb?"  Carolyn Strong plays piano. 

A large kitchen table was the place they were unconditionally loved. Paul Grout tells the story in "A place for you at the table." Violin by Jan Fischer Bachman.

Theopoet Brian Nixon reads nine of his poems, accompanied by original music. 

From our foundation, the essence of the Church of the Brethren is the willingness of women and men to study scripture together until we reach consensus, regardless of how long that takes. Sometimes it takes decades, but we can afford to be patient. We love Jesus. We love the Word.

Anna Lisa Gross and Nancy Faus read an excerpt from Angela Finet's Advent devotional, "Do Not Be Afraid" and ponder waiting. Piano recording by Lucas Finet. 

Randal Westfall describes how the long, hot days of summer give way to the cool, crisp air where night and darkness are lengthening, when both night and day are equally balanced. Autumn is about slowing into contemplative aspects of life. If we are attentive to God's Holy Spirit, then we recognize autumn's invitation as God's people to harvest, celebrate, and share in the abundance of our lives. And even more importantly, not to do it alone . . . but together. Nancy Miner plays piano. 

A poem by Debbie Eisenbise. Piano by Nancy Miner. 

A lot of emotion is being released as pandemic restrictions are phased out. How many rituals have we missed? How many formal occasions, how many worship experiences? How many losses are not yet grieved? How many joys have not been celebrated? How many blessings have gone unspoken or unheard during our pandemic year? In this episode of Messenger Radio, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford shares her thoughts; Nancy Miner plays "O Love that will not let me go" on piano. 

A poem about the poet's experience of a new way of communicating with family during the pandemic. "The experience of this new thing is for me profoundly spiritual—a foretaste of heaven which, I now see, can be had while we are still in this life, involving interaction both with those who have died and with those who are still living."

How do roosters related to prophecy? Tom Wagner explains the connection in his Advent article "Arise and shine". Kara Miller plays "In the bleak midwinter" on piano. 

Joanna Davidson Smith shares the poem Revolution for this bonus (and final) episode of Speaking Truth to Power for Messenger Radio. Learn more about Joanna’s work. Continue the conversation with these leaders on Dunker Punks Podcast on November 21 and beyond. The Speaking Truth to Power series was inspired by the Womaen’s Caucus Annual Conference panel with Gimbiya Kettering, Madalyn Metzger and Debbie Eisenbise. "Move in our Midst" is played by Nancy Miner and Jan Fischer Bachman. 

Barbara Daté ministers to us on this latest episode in the Speaking Truth to Power series. For such a time as this, amid uncertainty, violence, illness, grief, Barbara’s words heal. Learn more about Barbara’s work and upcoming trainings and contact her at paxdate@gmail.com. Check out a few issues of the Pine Needle here (scroll down).  Christine Wuhrman plays the cello.  This is the second-to-last episode in the Speaking Truth to Power series, inspired by the Womaen’s Caucus Annual Conference panel. (It was going to be the last episode, but we all could use a bonus these days!) Continue the conversation on Dunker Punks Podcast after November 21.

SueZann Bosler's story is hard to listen to, and healing to hear. Learn more through her organization Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing and a Messenger article and a 48 Hours episode. If you're ready to write to someone on death row (or at least learn more about it) visit www.brethren.org/drsp or contact Rachel Gross at drsp@brethren.org. Speaking Truth to Power is a podcast series inspired by the 2020 Womaen's Caucus Annual Conference Panel.

Ken Gibble reads his poem "To Be a Tree" from the November 2020 issue of Messenger magazine. Carolyn Strong plays "Sweet Hour of Prayer". 

Anna Lisa Gross speaks with Carla Gillespie and Carol Lindquist with lectionary scriptures for October 25, 2020. Nancy Miner plays “It is well” on piano.  This is episode 8 in a Messenger Radio series continuing the conversation launched by the Church of the Brethren’s Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel.

Anna Lisa Gross speaks with Lauren Seganos Cohen and Dawn Blackman with lectionary scriptures for October 18, 2020. Nancy Miner plays “My Life Flows On” on piano. Learn more about Dawn in this Public interview and Wall Street Journal article.  Find a transcript of her interview (which is slightly hard to hear) on the Messenger Radio web page.  This is episode 7 in a series continuing the conversation launched by the Church of the Brethren's Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel.

Earlier this year, the Church of the Brethren’s Womaen’s Caucus offered a panel on “Speaking Truth to Power.” Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Leah Hileman here on Messenger Radio, tying in the lectionary scriptures for October 11, 2020. Nancy Miner plays “Simple Gifts” on piano.  Find the Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power.

Earlier this year, the Church of the Brethren’s Womaen’s Caucus offered a panel on “Speaking Truth to Power.” Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Pam Grugan and Ben Bear here on Messenger Radio, tying in the lectionary scriptures for October 4, 2020, World Communion Sunday. Nancy Miner plays “Let Us Break Bread Together” on piano.  The poem "And the Table will be Wide" is used by permission © Jan Richardson. Janrichardson.com Find the Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power.  

One of the first two English slave ships to carry West Africans to the New World was named Jesus. Church of the Brethren Publisher Wendy McFadden considers ways Christians over centuries have taken the name of Jesus in vain. Nancy Miner plays "Amazing Grace" on piano. 

Earlier this year, the Church of the Brethren’s Womaen’s Caucus offered a panel on “Speaking Truth to Power.” Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Audri Svay and Dana Cassell here on Messenger Radio, tying in the lectionary scriptures for September 27, 2020. Nancy Miner plays “Amazing Grace” on piano. Find the Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power.

Earlier in 2020, the Womaen’s Caucus offered a panel on “Speaking Truth to Power.” Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Melisa Leiter-Grandison and Ruthann Knechel Johansen here on the Church of the Brethren's Messenger Radio, tying in the lectionary scriptures for September 20, 2020. Nancy Miner plays "When peace like a river" on piano.  Find the Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power.  

In July 2020, the Womaen’s Caucus of the Church of the Brethren had a panel “Speaking Truth to Power.” Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Bobbi Dykema, Chris Douglas, and Eric Bishop here on Messenger Radio, with scriptures from the lectionary for September 13. Nancy Miner plays "Move in our Midst" on piano.  Find the Womaen’s Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power to hear Gimbiya Kettering, Madalyn Metzger and Debbie Eisenbise address these themes.

In July 2020, the Womaen's Caucus had a panel "Speaking Truth to Power." Continuing the conversation, Anna Lisa Gross interviews Mary Scott Boria, Katie Shaw Thompson and Kathryn LaPointe here on Messenger Radio, using scriptures from the lectionary for September 6.  Find the Womaen's Caucus Speaking Truth to Power panel at  https://www.womaenscaucus.org/uncategorized/speaking-truth-to-power/ to hear Gimbiya Kettering, Madalyn Metzger and Debbie Eisenbise address these themes.

There will be a significant number of life’s broken eggs filling up the basket on your journey and mine. What will they become? Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of the Office of Ministry for the Church of the Brethren, shares her recent article from Messenger magazine.  Nancy Miner plays piano.  

In this pandemic, nearly everyone is feeling loss in some way. Walt Wiltschek, pastor of the Easton Church of the Brethren, discusses allowing space to grieve in this episode of Messenger radio. 

Wendy McFadden, publisher for the Church of the Brethren, reads her poem "Waiting," from the May 2020 issue of Messenger magazine. Nancy Miner plays the piano and Monica McFadden provides the introduction. 

In the final episode of the Capstone series, we talk to Eric, a young adult from the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. He did something pretty radical—he decided to transplant his life for a bit, work at Capstone Community Gardens, and learn about beekeeping. Produced by Monica McFadden. Music by Miller Kines

Land rights struggles, forging relationships in a tense racial climate, and a whole array of volunteers—this is the second part of Nathan Hosler’s interview with David Young of Capstone Community Gardens, and these are some of the elements that make up the day-to-day life at Capstone. Find out how in the latest episode from the Office of Public Witness. Produced by Monica McFadden. Music by Miller Kines.

How does someone go from being the Chief of Police in North Manchester, IN, to starting a garden project in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward? Find out in the first of a three-part series from the Office of Public Witness on Capstone Community Gardens. In this episode, Nathan Hosler interviews David Young, the founder of Capstone. Produced by Monica McFadden. Music by Miller Kines. 

David Bassett, the founder of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, recalls the adventures of his life in a conversation with Sara White, an intern from the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness.  From alternative service during the Vietnam War to a hovercraft ride, David shares a wealth of stories and advice.

Recorded July 15, 2015 at Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida

Recorded July 14, 2015 at Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida

Recorded July 13, 2015 at Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida

Recorded July 12, 2015 at Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida

Recorded July 11, 2015 at Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida

Recorded June 21, 2015 at National Junior High Conference in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Recorded June 20, 2015 at National Junior High Conference in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Recorded June 20, 2015 at National Junior High Conference in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania How do we see ourselves, with and without “filters”? How do others see us? When God looks at us, what does God see? Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:3-13  

Recorded June 19, 2015 at National Junior High Conference in Elizabethtown, Pennslyvania What would it be like if you jumped into the offering plate, instead of putting in money? What might it mean for you to think of yourself as an offering to God? Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Recorded July 24, 2014 at National Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Recorded July 23, 2014 at National Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Recorded July 22, 2014 at National Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Recorded July 22, 2014 at National Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Recorded July 21 at National Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado