Faith in Vermont: What Progressive Christianity Sounds Like

Revs. Sally May and Josh Simon interviewed State Senator Joe Benning, at the time of the recorded conversation, he was the Minority Leader in the Vermont State Senate.    This conversation is part of a series on how a person's faith (in other words, their values) influences their reasons for seeking public office and what motivates them in their decision-making process as elected leaders.  The conversations focused less on policy and more on motivations and the decision-making process. Our hope is these conversations will lead to understanding where candidates and elected leaders are coming from, even if we disagree with their policy approaches. When we understand each other's motivations and hopes, we better understand the very humanity of those with whom we disagree. 

Revs. Sally May and Josh Simon interviewed Brenda Siegel and State Senator Debbie Ingram; both campaigned for Vermont's Lt Governor in the 2020 Democratic Primary.   This conversation is part of a series on how a person's faith (in other words, their values) influences their reasons for seeking public office and what motivates them in their decision-making process as elected leaders.  The conversations focused less on policy and more on motivations and the decision-making process. Our hope is these conversations will lead to understanding where candidates and elected leaders are coming from, even if we disagree with their policy approaches. When we understand each other's motivations and hopes, we better understand the very humanity of those with whom we disagree. 

Join us for another Faith in Vermont: Conversations with LGBTQ Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Cantor Steve from Ohavi Zedek joins us for a conversation on being an LGBTQ cantor    Sally and Josh

In this episode, Sally interviews Pastor Josh on his experience coming out and being a pastor who is gay and how he understands Jesus to be. He serves as associate pastor at First Congregational church of Essex Junction.    Next week, we'll have a conversation with Cantor Steve...more information next week.    Blessings,    Sally and Josh

Rev. Laura C. Engelken is the Coordinator of the UVM Interfaith Center. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.    Join us for another fantastic conversation.    Josh and Sally

On this episode of Faith in Vermont: Conversations with LGBTQ Religious and Spiritual Leaders, we have Rev. Sarah Flynn. She is formally retired; however, she is an active community member.    Enjoy this week's episode! 

And we're back. Last year, Revs. Sally May and Josh Simon launched Faith in Vermont: What Progressive Christianity Sounds Like. This year, we've launched Faith in Vermont: Conversations with LGBTQ Religious and Spiritual Leaders. If you would like to have your voice heard, connect with us at jsimon@fccej.org.    Our first conversation in this series took place back in the Summer of 2019 with Rev. Elisa Lucozzi. Rev. Elisa is the pastor at United Community Church in St. Johnsbury, VT.    We'll post another episode next week. Stay tuned!    Sally and Josh

Episode 6 (mini): The Vermont Conference of the UCC held its Annual Meeting, April 26-27, 2019. Following the theme of the Annual Meeting "What in God's Name is Happening in Vermont?" Faith in Vermont asked participants what is happening in their churches. 

Episode 5: Sally and I recorded a conversation with Marita from the Migrant Justice Center. Our conversation ranges several topics that are germane to migrants in the USA and in Vermont specifically. We talked about some some of the reasons why migrants come to the United States and Vermont, how Migrant Justice is working to support students especially students of color with organizing, and discussed Migrant Justice's lawsuit.    *We are still working with improving our audio quality for future podcast; however, the content, we're proud to lift up these conversations. 

Episode 4: Join Sally and Josh for a conversation with Betsy Hardy and Rev. Richard Hibbert from Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. How might climate change impact Vermont? How might churches in Vermont tackle climate change? 

Episode 3: Join Sally and Josh in a conversation with the Rev Drs. Arnold Thomas and Lisa Sparrow on dismantling racism and the role of the church in helping dismantling it.     

Episode 2: Join Sally and Josh as they have conversation with two youth from the church Josh serves. The two speak about their reasons for deciding to be confirmed into the faith, how their faith has impacted their lives, and how the church can be more inclusive and progressive. 

Episode 1: Join Sally May and Josh Simon to hear their journeys of faith to ordained ministry. We share some of our own ideas.