Interrupting Grace: Living The Way of Love at Redeemer

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode (from July 2020), Anny Stevens-Gleason takes a look at Church of the Redeemer's long time relationship with Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) in conversations with past champion, Hollis Bass and with more recent volunteers, Sarah and Steve Nord. Hollis shares some history of Church of the Redeemer's involvement as well as what has been our standard set-up. Then Sarah and Steve talk about the effect of volunteering with this ministry has had on them as volunteers. Although the current pandemic may require some long term changes to the IHN structure, the involvement will surely remain as fruitful. As Sarah puts it, volunteering with IHN "gives you a different level of compassion."

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, Parishioner Gale Sheldon joins host Anny Stevens-Gleason for a talk about Gale's calling as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV), calling it a “wonderful opportunity to serve God and his people."

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul invite us to see the Way of Love as a journey that can expand to include family and friends. Mary said yes to the call to birth Jesus, God's Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin Elizabeth who lived in the Judean Hills, a four-day journey. Isn't that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared.

This month begins this podcast's summer throw-back episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, Anny uses James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time as she considers the practice of rest.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent Go - Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus. As Jesus went to the highways and byways, he sends us beyond our circles and comfort to witness to the love, justice and truth of God with our lips and with our lives. We go to listen with humility and to join God in healing a hurting world. We go to become beloved community, a people reconciled in love with God and one another. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul talk about what the resurrection means to them as well as what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. "There's the faithfulness to the women's action that allows them to be first witnesses of this reality. But it's also a true word to say that if you're the first person to see it, you will not necessarily be believed. And there are people within our culture who, if they say it, they are less likely to be believed. And that's there. It's written right in." ~ The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent Worship - Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God. When we worship, we gather with others before God. We hear the good news of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the way of love. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul discuss the call to worship God and give thanks for all God's blessings. And look at how seeing the glory of God in all things, turns life itself into an act of worship. "Loving your neighbor is worshiping God." ~ The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent Rest - The Valley of Dry Bones True sabbath time will help to restore us – body, mind, and soul – like the dry bones into which God breathes new life. In this episode Anny and Phil explore rest and our relationship with it.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent Blessed by God, we can bless others and bear new life in the world. In this episode, Anny and Phil examine the scriptural call to be freed from idols and given a new heart. They explore their ties to modern day “idols” (work, money, power, etc.) to see what practices can be transformed into blessings for the sake of the world.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent In this episode we look at the Way of Love practice, Learn. By reading and reflecting on scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God's word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to scripture we learn to see God's story and God's activity in everyday life.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent God's people prayed throughout their exodus from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites cried out to God. Moses cried out on behalf of the people. Miriam gave thanks with tambourines and dance. In this episode we look at the different ways we pray.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent As Christians we are continually called to repent and be renewed in faith. This episode introduces the Way of Love and invites us to reflect on themes of repentance in the new life we have in Christ through baptism. "In this language sin is something that has a hold over you and the wages of sin, as Paul says elsewhere in Romans, is death, which is to say the cost of your enslavement to sin is death. So, the Christian response, instead of saying, well then let's save you from death, is, well then let's get the death part over with. Let's do the death thing and now you're dead to sin, so the baptism becomes a liberation event rather than a cleansing event." ~ the Rev. Philip DeVaul

In this week's episode, Anny and Phil discuss how the birth of Jesus reveals the Way of Love as a journey into the world. The Angels appear before the shepherds proclaiming the good news of Jesus' birth. Then the shepherds went in haste to see the infant Jesus, journeying into the world to tell others what they had seen. The Way of Love cannot be contained. The Way of Love bursts out into the world crossing boundaries and offering blessings to many. It demands to be told.

In this week's episode, Anny and Phil see the Way of Love as a journey with community. The witness of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who bring infant John to the temple to be circumcised, reminds us of the importance of our faith community to sustaining the Way of Love. Just as the community did for John's family, communities provide a place for discernment sometimes challenging us and other times affirming us. Communities celebrate and mark important moments along the journey.

In this week's episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul invited to see the Way of Love as a journey that can expand to include family and friends. Mary said yes to the call to birth Jesus, God's Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin Elizabeth who lived in the Judean Hills, a four-day journey. Isn't that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared.

Host Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul orient themselves to the Way of Love and see the Way of Love as a journey that begins by saying yes to God, called to birth new life into the world. The call is gentle, yet powerful. A call fully embraced will grow beyond our imagination, spilling out of ourselves for our family, friends, and community and into the world. This episode invites us to join Mary on her encounter with the Angel, who announced that she will conceive and bear a son. The episode is intended to launch us into not just studying but birthing and living the Way of Love. "Don't Be Afraid," by Ana Hernandez and Fran McKendree is sung at the end of the episode by Anny Stevens-Gleason.

In this episode we hear the Rev. Philip DeVaul share the story of how Church of the Redeemer was and is being called into the work of Becoming Beloved Community. This story was shared during a Becoming Beloved Community Teach-In held by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.

In this episode, our first of this format, Anny Stevens-Gleason sits down with Hannah Teetor, Church of the Redeemer’s new Director of Children's Formation. Hannah shares about the influences of her childhood, her love of The Episcopal Church, and what gives her joy in both life and her work. “I love that going between worlds, telling really personal stories to then talking about really big ideas or these specific scenarios with all this really intimate imagery to then just talking about how you're liking your day.”

"And God made me aware right then about two things: that she needed to talk about dying and I needed to be still and listen.” – Gale Sheldon Parishioner Gale Sheldon joins host Anny Stevens-Gleason for a talk about Gale’s calling as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV), calling it a “wonderful opportunity to serve God and his people."

In this episode of Interrupting Grace, Anny Stevens-Gleason takes a look at Church of the Redeemer's long time relationship with Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) in conversations with past champion, Hollis Bass and with more recent volunteers, Sarah and Steve Nord. Hollis shares some history of Church of the Redeemer's involvement as well as what has been our standard set-up. Then Sarah and Steve talk about the effect of volunteering with this ministry has had on them as volunteers. Although the current pandemic may require some long term changes to the IHN structure, the involvement will surely remain as fruitful. As Sarah puts it, volunteering with IHN "gives you a different level of compassion."

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason invites us to learn more about Juneteenth with her as she explores the Freedom Center website’s description. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason shares her journey of recognizing practices and calls us, "... to keep practicing The Way of Love so desperately, we have to stay the course. We have to follow Jesus, and we do so to become Beloved Community." Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason leads us in the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina with a passage from The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin. A way of considering the practice of rest during a time of civil un-rest.. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason recalls a visit to the land of the Lakota people to participate in a Taizé pilgrimage of trust. Through the songs of Taizé at Pineridge and the people she met there, she experienced a feeling of trust and reconciliation. It made her realize we need to faithfully and with persistence pursue each one, trust and reconciliation, daily. Anny says, “I do not have the answers, but the practice of Go is something I can do. Jesus sends us beyond our circles and comfort to witness to the love, justice, and truth of God with our lips and with our lives. We Go to listen with humility and to join God with healing a hurting world. We Go to become Beloved Community, a people reconciled in love with God and one another. Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus." Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason explores the practice of BLESS. "We can give of our time to others, we can serve the church, we can serve others through mission, we can take on ministry, any number of things. But when we think about it, I think what makes it hard is recognizing that we are a blessing, not because we bless others, not for others to bless us but by who we are right now. We are a blessing solely by being." Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason shares how with relatives far away, she has lived with the understanding that those you love aren’t always near. Knowing that, she and her family cherish the times they are together and use technology the rest of the time to stay connected. This type of connection doesn’t change their love for each other, and it doesn’t change their relationship. Which reminded her that worship is only a means to an end. It is meant to create and nourish our relationships. Our relationships with God and others. So, how do we continue that nourishment when we can’t be together? Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason shares how her mother’s rich prayer life has had a lasting influence on her and her practice of prayer, which has caused her to always look at life through a sacred lens. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason once again reminds us that The Way of Love isn't one more thing we should put on our To-Do lists. We live it daily, we just need to notice what is already settled deep within us. This week's word is LEARN, and Anny recalls how hearing Psalm 51 takes her back to her days as a camp counselor, living The Way of Love day in and day out. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or simply ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home series, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason talks about the small, still voice inside that says, "Come and See", making us turn, tip-toe back, peek around the corner and find ourselves back at Jesus. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon. Subscribe on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or ask Alexa, Google or Siri to play the podcast, Interrupting Grace.

Welcome to Living the Way of Love at Home, being community in the midst of stay-at-home orders. In this first episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason, introduces the series by sharing her daily routine and the recognition of the holy in our life. Join us weekly for this podcast series. New episodes are available on Fridays by noon.

"This adventure at Redeemer has assuredly been a roundelay. A song that moves in circles. Beginning as songs do, in the choir room, it is circling out and about the community; up to Rise & Shine; over, under, around, and through Knittin' Kittens; on Sacred Ground; over the hill to Second-Half; and always into the prayerful heart of Bible Study." Anny Stevens-Gleason speaks with Dorothy Martin about her experiences becoming a member at Church of the Redeemer. From choir to Thursday Morning Bible Study, Dorothy tells her story with beautiful prose. A story within a story.

Gordon Christenson has been a Lector at Church of the Redeemer for many years. Lectors read from the Hebrew scriptures during worship on Sundays. Gordon’s journey that led him to being a Lector at Redeemer began in government and ended in the academic world. Listen as Gordon shares his story of life, learning, worshiping that led him to his church home at the Church of the Redeemer.