Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left

After several conversations with Unitarian Universalist leaders throughout Season 5 of the podcast, our hosts are ready to think through some of the big themes and threads that emerged, and to offer up their own answers to the question, "What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History?"Some of the questions that come up for them include: How do we move our focus from individual to community, and how do we expand our understanding of community beyond humans? What are the first steps toward building the better world that we dream of? And, what does it take for us as humans to take action in the face of crisis? About our hosts: Rev. Peggy Clarke began her ministry at Community Church of New York the summer of 2019. She came to us after serving as solo minister at the First Unitarian Society of Westchester in Hastings on Hudson for eight years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies and Peace Studies and a Masters in Historical Theology from Boston College. Her doctoral work was in American Religious History. Rev. Clarke has served on the board of the UUA's climate justice initiative Commit2Respond, the UU Environmental Justice Collaboratory and as chair of the UU Food Justice Ministry. She was one of the denomination's Observer Delegates at the 2015 United Nations Climate Summit in Paris, represented our denomination at Standing Rock and most recently at the Mexican American border, calling attention to the crisis of separated families. In 2021, she served as UU Delegate at the United Nation's Climate Summit in Glasgow.The Reverend Doctor Sarah Lenzi was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist Ministry in 2012. Before turning full time to ministry, Rev. Lenzi, who holds a BA from Williams College and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, completed her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work, published as “The Stations of the Cross: The Placelessness of Medieval Christian Piety” focuses on ritual practice and the integration of imagination, memory, the physical, the visual and the aural in creating transcendent experience. Rev. Lenzi brings her academic study of ritual to her worship leadership.Rev. Lenzi's ministry focuses on the value of the worship experience as a means of community building and encouraging personal growth along the spiritual journey. She hopes that participation in the communities she serves will help individuals to realize their capacity for love and compassion, to strengthen their sense of justice and power, and to affirm their own and others' beauty and worth.

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Ninth President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Carey McDonald, Executive Vice President at the UUA, to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History? In this episode, we phrased the question a bit differently, asking, "If you could wave a magic wand and fix or change one thing about the world, what would it be?"Our hosts and guests discuss the impacts of intergenerational trauma, the transformative potentials of imagination and justice-centered love, and the power of relationships built around shared values to motivate us to keep showing up and fighting in an environment of oppressionAbout this week's guests: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray is the ninth president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She was elected in June 2017 to a six-year term after serving congregations in Arizona, Ohio, and Tennessee. After leading the Unitarian Universalist response to Arizona's anti-immigrant laws in 2010, she became lead organizer for the Arizona Immigration Ministry, among her other activism. She now lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, and their son, Henry.Carey McDonald is the UUA's Executive Vice President, helping to lead the organization in fulfilling its mission and overseeing staff operations. He previously served as the UUA's Outreach Director and as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and is a former lay member of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee and the Skinner House Books Board. Prior to joining the UUA, Carey worked in educational policy with the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Department of Education. Carey is a seventh generation Unitarian Universalist and a member of First Parish in Malden, MA and the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Ohio. He was active in Columbus as a youth leader in the Ohio Meadville District Youth Adult Committee and with Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM). Carey holds a bachelors in Economics from Pomona College in Claremont, CA, and a masters in Organizational Leadership from Wheelock College in Boston, MA (now a part of Boston University). He lives Malden, MA with his family.

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Rev. Meg Riley and Charles Du Mond, Co-Moderators of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History? In this episode, we phrased the question a bit differently, asking, "If you could wave a magic wand and fix or change one thing about the world, what would it be?"Our hosts and guests discuss the power of approaching with curiosity and saying "yes," the importance of uplifting marginalized voices in our communities, the necessity of reforming our policing system, and more. About this week's guests: Rev. Meg Riley, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, was raised in congregations in Charleston, West Virginia, and Akron, Ohio. After serving for 38 years as a religious professional in a variety of capacities, Rev. Riley retired in the summer of 2020. She now serves, with Charles DuMond, as co-moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She lives in Minneapolis, nestled in with her family, animals, gardens, deep friendships, and a vibrant activist community. She is also the editor of Testimony: The Transformative Power of Unitarian Universalism.A lay leader who came to Unitarian Universalism from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Charles Du Mond, for many years, described himself as a Quaker who belonged to a UU Church. Now, he is simply a Unitarian Universalist.He joined the UUs of San Mateo in 1993. He has served on its Board of Trustees, holding all the leadership positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. He taught religious education (RE), including every Our Whole Lives (OWL) level from kindergarten to high school, facilitated the Beloved Conversations curriculum three times, led a capital campaign, participated in a Ministerial Search Committee, and developed and led Sunday Services.Beyond his local congregation, he served on the UUA Pacific Central District Board, District Presidents' Association / Regional Leaders Group, the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), the Board of the Starr King School for the Ministry, and the advisory board for UU United Nations Office. Du Mond has a PhD in Statistics which he uses to design, analyze, report, and present the results of clinical trials to regulatory agencies. He lives in San Mateo, CA. He has been married to Barbara for 40 years. They have two adult children, Jennifer and Emily, and one grandchild, Rio.

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Dr. Janice Marie Johnson and Rev. Sarah Lammert, Co-Directors of Ministries and Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History?Our hosts and guests discuss what it means to put love at the center, and how to "widen the circle of care."About this week's guests: Dr. Janice Marie Johnson and Rev. Sarah Lammert serve as Co-Directors of Ministries and Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). They support, sustain, and advance multicultural, anti-oppressive, justice-centered, and innovative Unitarian Universalist lay and professional leadership and ministry for all ages. She supports the professional lives of religious professionals, especially those of color, those from the trans community, and other marginalized groups.Dr. Janice Marie Johnson is excited about the UUA's commitment to dismantling white supremacy culture and building the Beloved Community. Janice is a Jamaican, a New Yorker, an internationalist, and a “third-culture kid” who grew up all over the world. She has worked with UU congregations worldwide. As an educator. she previously served as Director of Lifespan Religious Education at the Community Church of New York for many years.Janice—mother, grandmother, aunt, sibling, and so much more—treasured a unique relationship with her twin sister, Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson.Rev. Sarah Lammert has served congregations in California, Utah, and New Jersey. She believes that Unitarian Universalism has transforming power to share with a world in need.

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and Rev. Alicia Forde, Director of the International Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association, to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History?Topics that come up in this week's discussion include: What it means, and why it is important, to make both local and global connections; the radical potential of moving money; the concept of a God that is in the constant process of becoming; and the power of a justice-focused love.About this week's guests: After 30 years in faith-based leadership, the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joined UUSC as President and Lead Executive Officer in 2018. She has helped to grow a number of progressive congregations serving their members and the larger community.Mary Katherine contributed to efforts for economic, racial, and social justice in Macon, Georgia at the Economic Opportunity Council/Headstart with the NAACP. She also worked deeply in the reproductive justice movement. In Nashville, Tennessee, she collaborated with the Interfaith Alliance and Industrial Areas Foundation. In Fairfax, Virginia, she worked with interfaith ministries addressing hunger and homelessness, collaborated with LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations, and served on the county's homelessness task force.The Reverend Alicia Roxanne Forde serves with the Unitarian Universalist Association as the Director of the International Office. She is a graduate of The Iliff School of Theology and currently lives in Longmont, Colorado. Alicia was born and spent her formative years in Trinidad and Tobago. She identifies as an African descent queer, cis-gender female with deep roots in Tobago. She considers herself bi-cultural and is grateful that her formative years enabled her to cultivate a global perspective. Alicia is a certified Spiritual Director and has a strong interest in health and wellness. When she's not hiking, you can find her reading, working-out, or podcast-walking.For the video version of this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/c2hNUa2hu8A.The Hope and Heresy podcast is produced by the Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist.

In this episode, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah sit down over Zoom with Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, President of Starr King School for the Ministry, and Dr. Elias Ortega, president of Meadville Lombard Theological School, to discuss the question animating this season: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History?About this week's guests: The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt became President of Starr King School for the Ministry in Oakland, CA on July 1, 2014. For 13 years, she was Senior Minister of The Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York, a 175-year old Unitarian Universalist congregation on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she is a graduate of Yale University and Drew Theological Seminary.The Rev. Ms. McNatt was an editor and widely anthologized writer for more than 20 years before answering the call to ordained ministry. She is a former editor at the New York Times Book Review; the author of three books, including her memoir, “Unafraid of the Dark;” a former contributing columnist for Beliefnet.com; a former commentator on MSNBC; a contributing editor to UU World, the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association; and a cultural critic whose work appears regularly in The Huffington Post, The New York Times Book Review, Essence and other print and online publications. Her current projects include serving as a co-editor for a planned anthology of Unitarian Universalist historical writings, as well as continuing research into the multiracial liberal religious coalitions of early 20th century Chicago.Dr. Elías Ortega is an interdisciplinary scholar who received his M.Div. and Ph.D. (Religion and Society, Magna Cum Laude) from Princeton Theological Seminary (2005, 2011). He also holds a B.A. in Communications Arts & Sciences and Philosophy and Religion from Calvin College. Prior to joining Meadville Lombard Theological School, Dr. Ortega served as Associate Professor of Social Theory and Religious Ethics at Drew University Theological School. At Drew Theological, he served as Deans' Council Chair, was a member of the Digital Humanities Advisory Committee, and the Title IX Committee. His primary teaching and research areas are Sociology of Religion, Religious Ethics, Cultural Sociology, Social Movements, Critical Theory, Africana Studies, Latinx Cultural Studies. In addition to teaching at Drew, he has also taught at Princeton University, Princeton Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt Divinity School, The College of New Jersey, and Mercer County Community College. In the American Academy of Religion, he serves on the Committee on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession, and on the Steering Committees for the Religion and Politics.  

Welcome to Season 5 of Hope and Heresy!  In this season, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are sitting down with five pairs of Unitarian Universalist ministers, leaders, thinkers, and colleagues to ask one big question... what is the central task for humanity at this time in history?  Why this question? Well, it seems impossible to ignore that we find ourselves living in unprecedented times. A global pandemic, the rising tide of fascism in our country and beyond, a climate poised on the brink of disaster, a protracted global refugee crisis... the list goes on. For liberal religious individuals and their communities, it can be hard to find and keep hope, and even harder to know where we should start building the world we dream of. So, we wanted to talk to various UU luminaries to get their takes on what we can and should be doing, and how we can approach efforts to bring our values into fruition in the world around us.  If this sounds like a serious topic, well - it is. But, if you've listened to our podcast before, you know that we approach big questions with an attitude of curiosity, camaraderie, and finding the fun and laughter even in the toughest conversations. So, we hope you will join us on this journey! Episodes will be dropping every Thursday for the next six weeks. If you prefer to engage with visuals, the video version of each episode can be found on the Community Church of New York YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ccnyuu.  See you next week for our second episode, with special guests Rosemary Bray McNatt and Elias Ortega!

Many liberal-religious people have hesitations about the structure of churches. Yet, churches can take many forms and operate in many different ways. The theological term "ecclesiology", or the study of the church itself, can provide interesting insight into the ways our institutions are shaped by their members and can reflect liberal-religious values as well as more orthodox traditions. As we end our guide to theological terms, we reflect on church itself and our hopes for the future. On this episode, Reverend Sarah references a Hope & Heresy season 1 show about technology. Listen to it here: https://hopeandheresy.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-3-the-spirituality-of-technologyThoughts on this season of Hope & Heresy? Requests for our ministers? Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org.

"What pneumatology tells us is that we are radically connected -- breathing in the same spirit."Pneumatology is the study of the spirit. As Unitarian-Universalists, we often discuss the Spirit of Life. Join Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah for a wider-ranging discussion of historical conceptions of spirit and body and what these have to offer for liberal-religious people.Thoughts on the show? Ideas for our ministers? Please feel welcome to email us at podcast@ccny.org, and please consider supporting our spiritual broadcasting by liking, subscribing, and leaving a rating or review. 

In this continuing exploration of the theological term "eschatology", or the study of death, judgment, and the End Times, Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah take a big-picture look at the liberal-religious perspective on the end of the world. With climate collapse forming a clear and present danger to life on earth, how do we reclaim our agency and take our role in preventing Apocalypse seriously?Questions on this big topic? Suggestions for our ministers? Write to us, please! Operators are standing by at podcast@ccny.org and ready to hear from you. If you enjoy this show, please support CCNY broadcasting by liking, subscribing, and leaving a comment, rating or review. 

"Eschatology" is the theological term for matters related to death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and humankind. We are dividing this big topic into two shows, so stay tuned for Eschatology part two.In this episode, you'll hear Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah discuss one of religion's biggest questions: what happens after we die? How does this mystery make our lives richer and can we learn to live with the unknown? Tune in for some inspiration from Unitarian-Universalist ministers on how this question appears in daily life and some strategies to tackle it.Questions for our hosts? Comments? Suggestions? Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. This episode is also available on Community Church's YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/ccnyuu.  Support liberal-religious broadcasting by liking, subscribing, and leaving us a rating or review.

Soteriology: the study of religious doctrines of salvation.Salvation is a tricky subject for modern liberal religionists. At one time, theologies of sin, punishment, and salvation were a major aspect of Western religions, functioning as a method of social control. The doctrine of Universalism, now an integral part of our Unitarian-Universalist faith, was long considered a major heresy. In a liberal-religious context, which removes fire and brimstone from the equation, how do we understand salvation and forgiveness? Why should we live a moral life and to whom are we accountable? Join Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah for another entry in the Hope & Heresy Guide to Theological Terms. To support the show, leave us a comment, or like and subscribe. You can email podcast@ccny.org with any questions for our ministers or suggestions for future topics. 

Theology: the study of the nature of God and religious belief.Hope & Heresy is a show all about theology, and our entire last season focused on visions of the Divine (check it out!), so why do we need to define the term? Excellent question. On this episode, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy argue that defining theology in a liberal-religious context is a necessary ingredient to gaining greater understanding of your own beliefs. Discussing theology is deeply personal -- perhaps even more personal than discussing sex! -- and being prepared with language and vocabulary can facilitate deeper and more meaningful conversations.Thoughts on this season's guide to theological terms? Questions for our ministers? Please feel welcome to write back to us at podcast@ccny.org! 

"The origin question never ends."Cosmology is traditionally understood as the religious perspective on origins and creation. In this episode, explore this term in depth with Unitarian-Universalist ministers Reverend Sarah Lenzi and Reverend Peggy Clarke. As liberal religious people, why are we called to understand our origins and what do we do with the myths we've created around them? Re-thinking cosmology can have heretical implications, setting the scene for radical change.Questions for our hosts? Suggestions for the show? Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. To support the show, please like, subscribe, and leaving a rating, comment, or review. Thanks for supporting liberal religious broadcasting! 

"Theodicy": conventionally understood as a defense of God in face of the knowledge of human suffering. What is the liberal-religious definition of theodicy and how do we understand it in the context of our very current moment of suffering and trauma caused by the 2020-2021 coronavirus pandemic? Join Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy to learn more about this foundational theological concept. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!

Welcome to The Hope & Heresy Guide to Theological Terms! This episode is a brief introduction to our fourth season. Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left is a podcast for everyday people who want to live meaningfully without letting arbitrary doctrine or oppressive religious practice prevent us from asking big questions about our complicated world.To understand our world from a liberal-religious perspective, it's helpful to be armed with the vocabulary to discuss it in depth. Join hosts Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ) for an accessible, soulful season-long exploration of theological terms and terminology.

It's the final installment in our season-long exploration of aspects of the divine! Throughout this season, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy have deeply contemplated and discussed the possibilities of the divine and humans' relationship to it.  Today we discuss our motivation for embarking on this season-long project and the lessons we've taken away as these conversations have become part of our own spiritual practice. Over and over, we've returned to the idea that our conception of the divine affects how we relate to others and to our environment. A vision of the divine that includes messiness, imperfection, and continuous formation allows us to imagine grace for ourselves and others. The divine is discovered through human connection. We invite you to connect with us by emailing us at podcast@ccny.org to share thoughts on this season or ideas for what you'd like to hear in our next season, scheduled to begin this fall. Please stay tuned for a few special episodes over the summer!This episode is also available on all YouTube at youtube.com/c/ccnyuu. Thank you for spending your time with us. To support CCNY's broadcasting program, please consider subscribing, rating, or leaving a comment or review. 

Throughout our season-long exploration of the divine and its many expressions, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy have often returned to the idea that our vision of the divine substantially affects how we move in the world. On today's episode, the conversation picks up the theme of "process theology" from last week's show and moves into a discussion of humans and the divine as co-creators. From making art to planting gardens to cooking meals for family and friends, humans are constantly creating (and destroying) our own world. What lessons about the divine does this insight hold?To open this episode, Reverend Sarah references the poem "The Shield of Achilles" by W.H. Auden. You can read the poem in full here: https://poets.org/poem/shield-achilles. This episode also discusses the art and spiritual practice of mandala-making. This video depicts the construction and destruction of a mandala and may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10084L3Pqsc.Hope & Heresy is also available on YouTube at youtube.com/c/ccnyuu. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org and if you like the show and its message, please consider helping us reach more people by liking, subscribing, or leaving a review or comment. 

"God is beyond the realm of opposites."As our season-long exploration of aspects of the divine approaches its end, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah spend time today discussing the complicated, cyclical, always-in-process relationship between humans and the divine. Beginning with a discussion of human gender binaries and how they have been projected onto the divine through time, this episode explores how humans see themselves in God -- and, perhaps, vice-versa. This episode references a few external concepts and resources you might be interested to explore:Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Rev. Peggy recommends the audiobook!): https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrassProcess and Reality by Alfred North Whitehead: https://bookshop.org/books/process-and-realityIn Face of Mystery by Gordon Kaufman: https://bookshop.org/books/in-face-of-mystery-a-constructive-theologyIn The Beginning...Creativity by Gordon Kaufman https://bookshop.org/books/in-the-beginning-paper/The Apocryphon of John (Gnostic Gospel): http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl_sbj.htm This episode is also available on YouTube at youtube.com/c/ccnyuu. We truly appreciate your time spent listening and watching. If you would like to support our work, please consider subscribing, rating, leaving a review or comment, or writing back to us at podcast@ccny.org. 

Happy Easter from Hope & Heresy! On today's episode, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy spend time with the story of Holy Week and Easter. While Reverend Peggy identifies as Christian, Reverend Sarah does not and this episode reflects the complexity that is encompassed by Unitarian-Universalism. History and sociology blend with reflection and theology as we move from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. The Easter story has much to teach us about loss, grief, redemption, and the nature of human bonds. Join us to revisit this foundational Christian narrative from a perspective that allows for nuance.Thoughts on this episode? Write to us at podcast@ccny.org. You can find Hope & Heresy on YouTube at youtube.com/c/ccnyuu. If you feel moved to support CCNY broadcasting, subscribing, rating, and leaving a review is an excellent way to do so. 

Chag Pesach sameach! Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah each grew up observing Passover in mixed-faith families. This week on Hope & Heresy, we take a close look at the Passover story and what it means to our ongoing investigation of the many aspects of the divine. When the divine appears in our lives to liberate us, how do we respond? What lessons does this timeless story have to teach us this year? Join us for a conversation that will encourage you to think deeply about your relationship to oppression and liberation. This episode is also available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/BSc5U-m9Apc. If you enjoy the show, write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. We really appreciate your engagement and support; if you have a moment, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review. 

Our modern liberal-religious beliefs do not encompass "the divine right of kings", but as humans living in societies we are drawn toward certain ideas about power and those who exercise it. On today's episode, Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah take up the thorny question of the relationship between human power and the divine. What are we looking for in our earthly figures of power? What are we lacking? Join us for a conversation that unites history, theology, and personal experience to untangle a significant philosophical question.This episode is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/q8fy9ahL4x8. Please write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. If you enjoy the show, a great way to support CCNY's broadcasting program is by subscribing, rating, or leaving a review. 

This episode picks up themes explored in the previous show, "Divine Hunter", as Hope & Heresy continues our season-long exploration of aspects of the divine. Today, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy are talking about a liberal religious approach to the relationship between the divine and free will. If we do not accept the Calvinist doctrine of pre-destination, then how do we understand our own and others' choices in life? This episode will encourage you to think differently about common cultural responses to moments of choice, surprise, and loss.This episode is also available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/mmbwNOMVAfk. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us by reviewing and subscribing. 

Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah continue our season-long exploration of aspects of the divine, always from a liberal-religious perspective that centers love and justice. This week, we're talking about the experience of being hunted, or given a mission, by the divine. How will you recognize this experience when it happens? What does it feel like? How can we manage a greater receptivity to the world, when that comes with feelings of deep pain? Settle in for a conversation that will stimulate your mind and heart. The themes of this episode will be continued next week. This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/9WKANU9_9ww. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org and remember to subscribe, rate, and review if you enjoy the show.

Our season-long exploration of the divine continues, as Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy discuss divine retribution from a liberal religious perspective. What is the relationship between divine love and divine retribution or justice? What does a Universalist understanding, in which everyone is loved and saved,  have to offer in our complex modern day political landscape? This episode will challenge you to see questions of justice, punishment, and consequences from a new angle that centers love and care for all. This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/tXBFMGVElgQ. Please rate and review our show if you enjoy it, and remember to write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!

Welcome to season three of Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left! "Love isn't blind. Love sees everything, all the flaws, and includes them."In this season, we'll explore the many aspects of the divine and how we experience it in our lives as liberal religious people. Today's show, recorded just before Valentine's Day 2021, explores the many forms of love as an expression of the divine. What is divine love, what does it feel like, and how can we access it? This episode will inspire you to be present to all the sensations of life and to develop a spiritual practice that enables divine love to flow.This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/UZG2oZJtBOY. We want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts with our broadcasting team at podcast@ccny.org!

Happy holidays from Hope & Heresy! In our season 2 finale, Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah discuss the complexities of Christmas celebrations in the United States for liberal religious people. Looking at the original Scriptural source material for the Christmas story, forces that shaped this mythology over time, and the way the holiday is interpreted by American families today, this episode offers a fresh take on the big question of crafting a Christmas celebration that is both true to the meaning of the holiday and inclusive of people from many different backgrounds.This episode is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0Zk3Rb1c9h4. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. 

It's a special day for Hope & Heresy as Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah welcome their first guest to the show. Reverend Mack Brandon of Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Ridgewood, NJ, joins us to discuss music, anti-racism, self-care, and the ever-changing role of ministers in the struggle for social justice.  This episode is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rZZuToG1gKE. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org! 

In the early 20th century, Community Church's famed minister John Haynes Holmes went on a ten-day spiritual retreat to determine his vision for the church. Would a woman minister have the option to do the same thing? On this episode of Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left, 21st century ministers Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah discuss their lives as working women. How can we continue to move our spiritual and work communities toward structures that are supportive to the challenges of women's lives? This episode is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/OhTSJBhvTac. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!

As a very different type of Thanksgiving holiday approaches in the United States, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy discuss cultural narratives and the opportunities they provide for healing and growth.In this episode, Reverend Sarah mentions a group spiritual development experience she is participating in at the moment. If you're interested in learning more about these circles run by Rev. Ian White Maher, please visit The Seeker's Table website at theseekerstable.com.For an introduction to Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth, please see this excerpt: https://billmoyers.com/content/ep-1-joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-the-hero%E2%80%99s-adventure-audio/.This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/IEzUdwB8UY0! Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org. 

Election Week 2020 was a time of deep uncertainty and division in the United States. In this episode, recorded before a victory was announced for President-Elect Biden, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy discuss the road that led to this moment. In a world where the truth itself is contested, what is the role of liberal religion? And what does liberal religion have to show us about the path forward?This episode is also available on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/sSamlkkT698. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!

On the eve of a momentous election in the United States, the founding figures, documents, and ideals of America are under scrutiny. In this episode, recorded October 30, 2020, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy offer a liberal religious perspective on civic engagement and what lies ahead for our country. What is the dream of America and how can we work together to see its fulfillment?This episode is also available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DiFnliiUk0I. Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org!

As news headlines swirl about religion and its role in public life, Reverend Sarah and Reverend Peggy take a step back to examine the bigger picture. What is religion? How are religion and spirituality connected? And what is the role of community-building in religious practice?Enjoy this timeless conversation about the sociology of religion, presented from a perspective that centers equality and liberation for all.Hope & Heresy is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/1cjSDkXZOF0! Write back to us at podcast@ccny.org.

Welcome to Season 2 of "Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left"! Our hosts, Reverend Sarah Lenzi and Reverend Peggy Clarke, wrestle with contemporary issues using history and theology as guides. This is a show for everyday people who want to reclaim religion and live meaningfully without arbitrary doctrine.In our season opener, Reverend Peggy and Reverend Sarah discuss the role of religion in politics. History provides a framework for understanding what "separation of church and state" means, but how can liberal religious people navigate this complicated world while keeping spiritual values front and center? Stay tuned for more podcast episodes and topical discussions. For those who prefer YouTube, Hope & Heresy is also available in video form: https://youtu.be/q_cd0G07y3M

Take Action/ Further Reading:NAACP We Are Done Dying campaign: https://naacp.org/campaigns/we-are-done-dying/Equal Justice Initiative, "Tragic Death of George Floyd Reveals Continuing Problem of Police Violence": https://eji.org/news/tragic-death-of-george-floyd-reveals-continuing-problem-of-police-violence/Alex S. Vitale, "The answer to police violence is not 'reform'. It's defunding. Here's why": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/31/the-answer-to-police-violence-is-not-reform-its-defunding-heres-whyAlex S. Vitale, The End of Policing: https://www.versobooks.com/books/2426-the-end-of-policing"Police, Prisons, and Mass Incarceration", Black History Month Library compiled by Charles Preston: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i23mTTM9BvlRZCVgp9vbY6WRmucgf1X2Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. Wolf

This episode is also available to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/XRjEUMWlXykIn today's episode, Sarah and Peggy return to the "recording studio" to discuss the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on New York City and the world. Since our last in-person recording session, our lives have altered dramatically and many of us have lost loved ones. In order to protect ourselves and each other from the threat of the coronavirus, we have adapted to once-unthinkable changes in our ways of being. The realities of lost income and massive unemployment have forced a re-examination of the very structure of our economy. What does this moment of COVID-19 PAUSE have to teach us about our relationship to ourselves, each other, and the planet? *This episode was recorded over Zoom in compliance with physical distancing regulations and out of respect for the health of the participants. Thanks for your understanding of the effect this has on audio quality.Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. Wolf

In our last in-person recording session for now, Peggy and Sarah discuss the early days of COVID-19 in New York City. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. WolfRecorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan

It's okay to talk about sex with your minister or in a religious setting, but many people find that difficult. From the time of Augustine, sex has been bound up with religion, power, money, and patriarchy. Join us for a warm and friendly conversation to untangle some of that history and how it continues to affect many people today.Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. WolfRecorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan

Not all grief is encompassed by our conventional understanding. Labor laws often prescribe a certain amount of time for a certain type of grief, while social norms encourage us to understand grief as directly related to death. The conversation in today's episode touches upon many types of grief: the loss of a meaningful job, the transition of a child into adulthood, the decision to give a baby up for adoption. After listening to this episode, you might consider reaching out to a friend or loved one who has experienced a loss. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. WolfRecorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan

This is a shame-free zone. Today's episode won't tell you to quit Facebook or to get off the grid entirely, but it will encourage you to think deeply about technology as a tool, the progress of humanity, and how we use tech to relate to each other.Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. WolfRecorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan

"The revolution will be spiritual." Today's discussion illuminates the near future of climate change, theological understandings of humanity's relationship to the earth, and what can be done on an individual and community level to address this existential crisis. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. WolfRecorded at Community Church of New York, Murray Hill, Manhattan

What is heresy and why is it necessary in today's conflicted and complicated world? The word "heresy" is challenging for many people, but the heretics in history have been critical to moving religious thought forward. On the inaugural episode of Hope & Heresy: Life on the Religious Left, Reverend Sarah Lenzi and Reverend Peggy Clarke discuss their choice to reclaim the word "heresy" as they embark on a project to examine contemporary topics through a liberal religious lens. Join us for this opening discussion of spirituality, religion, and community in the 21st century. Thoughts on this episode? Please write to us at podcast@ccny.org!Hosted by Reverend Peggy Clarke (Community Church of New York) and Reverend Sarah Lenzi (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ)Produced by Amy WilsonOriginal music by Graham ClarkeDesign by Carol E. Wolf