Podcast For a Just World

In this final episode of the second series on Sacred Conversations To End Racism, Rev. Dr. Elaine Robinson, Dr. Phil Snyder and Rev. Seth Wispelwey join Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey in an important conversation on restoring cultural narratives for people designated white and why "white culture" erases it.

Dr. David Kyuman Kim, Professor of Religious and American Studies at Connecticut College joins Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey reflecting on the immigrants who benefitted from the Civil Rights Movement, and how to open the possibility of previously untold stories to be heard.

Rev. Nayiri Karjian, Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala, and Dr. Peter Makara join Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love to discuss the restorative hope of Lent and justice in the aftermath of colonialism and fragmented identity. Voices come from Armenia, Syria, Egypt, India and the U.S.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, Dr. Carol B. Duncan and Rev. Michael Blair join Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey in a dynamic conversation about identity, culture and the aftermath of colonialism. This community of Afro Caribbean voices discuss traditional religions, reparations and more in our common quest to end racism and become more human.

Dr. Miguel De La Torre and Rev Rhina Ramos join Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, exploring Latinx identity, cultural narratives and how both individuals and communities of faith can move towards liberation.

Co-hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love, this episode features native voices and a complex conversation around identity in an empire still unrepentant of the violence and cultural genocide committed against native peoples. Edgar Villanueva, Lumbi member and author of "Decolonizing Wealth" joins Elona Street-Stewart, Delaware-Nanticoke member and Synod Executive for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the PC(USA).

In this final episode of our series on resilience, we explore the complexities of contemporary native life around Billings, Montana and how the local church can be catalyst for healing and find liberation in the process. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey with Rev. Mike Mulberry and Lisa K. Harmon from Billings First Congregational Church, Cora Chandler and Kassie Runsabove, Whiteclay (Aaniiih) and Cree, and Walter Runsabove, So’taeo’o (Northern Cheyenne), Hudasana, and OGLALA Lakota.

Resilience Part 3, Coming Together: Conversations from Lyndale United Church of Christ and movement builders collaborating through The Center for Sustainable Justice. Featuring Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Rev. Ashley Harness, Rabbi Michael Adam Latz, Jim Bear Jacobs and more!

The Advent lectionary texts start with apocalyptic images of the end of the world. To build resilient circles of community and justice, shouldn't we divest from the systems destroying humanity and creation? This episode features national faith organizers and pastors with Showing Up For Racial Justice, an organization equipping white folx in the commitment to dismantling white supremacy. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey with Rev. Anne Dunlap, Nichola Torbett, Vahisha Hasan, and Margaret Ernst.

Resilience in the Time of Herod, Advent 1: Tools of Resilience. Featuring youth service volunteers, organizers, pastors and educators from the The Justice Leadership Program in Seattle, WA. This episode offers reflections on the meaning of "resilience," for people of faith invested in a just world for all. The Justice Leadership Program is equipping people young and old to be agents of change and transformation, grounded in faith and community, with tools for social change. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and featuring E West, Jennifer Hagedorn, Elizabeth Dickinson, Yuki Schwartz and Rev. Richard Gamble.

This is part 5 in our Easter series and the last episode in our inaugural season! Wade Zick is director of Pilgrim FirsCamp and Conference Center. He shares the power of liberating space for youth and adults coming alive in their sexuality and faith as well as the life and death stakes. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, Minister For Congregational and Community Engagement for the United Church of Christ.

Wonder what it is like for youth attending a church seeking to be alive in sexuality and faith? Listen to Sam and Annabel, two high school students on the journey with their faith community!

This week we jump straight into the conversation with Rev. Thea Racelis, Latina queer theologian, activist, mother, wife and pastor in Las Vegas, NV. Thea brings wisdom, experience and insight into the intersections of LGBTQIA and Latinx identity as well as practical advice to congregations expanding their ministries to people becoming more alive in their sexuality and faith!

This week our lectionary reflection considers what it means to lay down our lives in the wake of resurrection. Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey hosts a conversation with Anil Oommen, Assistant Professor at Pacific University in Eugene, OR, and delves into vulnerability, humanity and the cost of broken masculinity in our society and world.

This week begins our 5 part Easter series, Alive! In Our Sexuality and Faith. This week's lectionary takes us straight to our embodied faith as followers of Jesus come to terms with the resurrection and the Jesus being both alive and scarred. Our conversation with Amy Johnson, Commissioned Minister of Sexual Education with the United Church of Christ and the National Our Whole Lives Coordinator introduces us to the relationship between sexuality, sexual education and a just world for all.

In this special one hour Holy Week conclusion of the series, Sacred Conversations To End Racism, Rev. Traci Blackmon opens up about her personal experience of white supremacy as a child growing up in Alabama, and then in Charlottesville this past summer. With an extended reflection on Holy Week and a journey towards resurrection, the realities that not everyone will be transformed are juxtaposed with a radical call to hope and to go on even when the way is literally made impossible.

Liz Alexander is a millennial womanist, entrepreneur and writer for the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. Getting ready for Holy Week, Liz and co-hosts Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love reflect on how the criminal justice system has been weaponized, particularly against women and girls of color or who are poor. Liz offers wisdom and reflection on how each community has a unique role on dismantling and eradicating racism.

In Part 5, Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey talk with Jamye Wooten about building black power in Baltimore and self-sustaining community building as a radical path to dismantling oppression. Jamye is the creator of the #BlackChurchSyllabus and #MLK2BAKER. In April 2015, Jamye co-founded Baltimore United for Change, a coalition of grassroots organizations in Baltimore City that organized in response to the death of #FreddieGray. Jamye is a founding board member of the Tubman House and serves on the board of trustees for Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. He is the former program director of the Collective Banking Group, Inc. (CBG), a Christian ministry that draws together leaders from the faith, business, and public service sectors to develop and enhance economic empowerment strategies for the African American community.

Rev. Melanie is a womanist ethicist, millennial preacher, intellectual activist, and the 2017-18 Visiting Instructor of Ethics, Theology, and Culture at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the Co-Curator of #millennialwomanism forum alongside Liz S. Alexander hosted on the Black Theology Project (btpbase.org) and Co-Creative of The Millennial Womanism Project. In this week's episode, Rev. Melanie along with co-hosts Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love, reflect on shifting paradigms, the force of millennials in eradicating racism as well as radicalizing young white nationalists, lent and more. Rev. Melanie earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Howard University and a Master of Divinity with a certificate in Black Church Studies from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Melanie is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Chicago Theological Seminary studying ethics, theology, and culture.

Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung is the CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches. Previously he was the Executive Director of the historic racial justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago and the inaugural Professor of Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul. This week he joins co-hosts, Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love to talk about de-centering whiteness when you've been socialized white, and how to dismantle racism from a place of privilege.

Lisa Sharon Harper, artist, activist, ethicist and public theologian, shares her journey of learning where she comes from and what it means to reconnect with people and land. Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey and Rev. Dr. Velda Love cohost the conversation and offer their own reflections on decolonizing story, decentering whiteness, rising to action and hope.

This week’s guest is also the series co-host, the Rev.Dr. Velda Love, Minister for Racial Justice for the United Church of Christ. Velda introduces Sacred Conversations to End Racism and reflects on how we can find new life and strength in the struggle to end racism by learning who our people are, decolonizing our faith and theology, learning about the story of humanity moving across the globe, and reading the Gospel as a story about overcoming empire. Lectionary reflections on lent, the story of Noah and repentance are woven into the conversation.

Our final conversation in this Epiphany series features organizer, dancer and yoga practitioner, Louise Green. Special guest Rev. Seth Wispelwey joins the first segment, reflecting on the Super Bowl, militarism, the transfiguration and more. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement with the United Church of Christ National Ministries.

Featuring Analysis, emcee for the Mother Earth Poetry Vibe at Red Emma’s Bookstore and Coffeehouse in Baltimore, MD, worker rights advocate, vegan and community builder. Also reflections on the arrest and release of Ravi Ragbir, Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City and lectionary readings from Isaiah 40 and Psalm 147. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement with the United Church of Christ National Ministries.

We are joined by Latifah Alattas, songwriter, musician and producer who shares deeply personal insights from her journey as well as encouragements for artist challenging the communities they find themselves in. Also reflections on the government shut down and lectionary readings from Deuteronomy and Mark, Chapter 1. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey.

Part three in our Epiphany Series, Art, Revelation and Cultural Work. In this episode we reflect on the weeks news concerning our ongoing justice work as well as lectionary texts from the Jonah and the Gospel of Mark. This week’s guest is the Rev. Ashley Goff, Spiritual Formation Director at Church of the Pilgrims in Washington DC.

Our guest this week has decentered her own power and voice with an embodied solidarity rarely seen. Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner is an ordained in the United Methodist Church. She is the curator of The Shout, a spoken-word poetry focused artivism movement seeking to nurture a community of multi-ethnic, multi-generational, justice-seeking, solidarity-building people. Along with other community members, she maintained daily vigil at the Waller County Jail for the year following Sandra Bland's death there on July 13, 2015. She and Sandra’s friend started a movement around Sandra Bland and Hannah used her platforms to share Sandy Speaks videos, videos, which Sandra herself had recorded prior to her death and rich with hope, insight, humanity and faith. We discuss the importance of art is moving from information to transformation as well as the importance of creating space and the context in which art can be received.

What is the relationship between art and revelation? What is the relationship between seeing or hearing, and perceiving and understanding? When we talk about transformation, or maybe what the Brazilian educator Paolo Freire called conciacizacão, the awakening of our conscience, our becoming conscious and connected humans, what is the roll of art and beauty? Can we share the gospel without these things in fact? For many people, we stay up to date on what is going on in the world, perhaps to our own detriment, but have lost a connection to the revelation of God’s presence at work in the world, even in, especially in, the injustice and violence of our world today. We are well informed but not necessarily connected and conscious people. For the next six weeks we will be engaging Epiphany, Art, Revelation and Cultural Work. We will hear from artists working in local church settings, organizers, community builders, those using their work in protests and direct action, and those re-imagining the role of art in making a just world for all. Along the way we will continue also to reflect on the weekly lectionary texts following the revised common lectionary year B, woven together with updates on the church’s specific and intersecting efforts to build a just world for all. We begin with a conversation in Charlottesville, VA with a local artist and UCC member, Brian McCrory, who has been commissioned for liturgical pieces, created icons for protests and the antiracism movements and more…

A special stand alone episode for the week after Christmas including lectionary reflections and justice updates for Christmas 1B. This podcast also includes a song written by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey for your communities to use and a conversation on identity with Rev. Eli Mendez Angulo. Next week we start a new series, Epiphany, Art, Revelation and Cultural Work.

Rise Up Peace Eternal © 2017 Tracy Howe Rise up Peace Eternal Within our hearts Rise up Peace Eternal On this city block Side by side we are waiting Be born in our song We long for justice here Rise up Love Eternal… Rise up Hope Eternal… Levanta Paz Eterna En nuestra comunidad Levanta Paz Eterna En este ciudad Hombro a hombro a la espera Nacer en la canción Anhelamos la justicia aquí

This week we look at readings for Advent 4 as well as Christmas Eve following the Revised Common Lectionary. We also will hear a powerful conversation with Rev. Noel Anderson, the National Grassroots Coordinator for Church World Service and the coordinator for immigration advocacy for the United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries. How do we recognize the moment we're in as Mary did? How can our work for immigration justice lead to collective liberation?

Part 3 in a 4 week series coinciding with Advent and focusing on just borders and intersecting issues. This week's guest is Rev. Randy Mayer, pastor of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, AZ. A report on last week's rally and action for a #CleanDreamAct that led to the arrest of over 200 people (including the host, Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey) is woven into the lectionary reflection.

Part 2 in a 4 week series coinciding with Advent and focusing on just borders and intersecting issues. This week's guest is Gabriela Baruch, member of Mariposas Sin Fronteras, a group supporting lgbtq migrants in transition and being held in detention centers. A highlight from Rev. Traci Blackmon's words shared before the launch of the Poor People's Campaign is woven into the lectionary reflection.

The very first Podcast For a Just World! This episode begins a 4 week series coinciding with Advent and focusing on just borders and intersecting issues. There is a longer introduction to the form and foundations of the podcast as well as a conversation with the Rev. Deborah Lee from the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity in Oakland, CA.