The Naked Sermon

In our final episode of the podcast, Jules and Marshall take a dive into John 11:1-45. This passage talks about the deeply emotional story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus which ultimately lead to the final cinching of the plot to kill Jesus. Jules and Marshall talk about grief and loss both in the context of death and in our relationships with others.  Marshall asks us to reflect on what it would mean to take this scripture seriously and explore what it says about God's nature and human nature. How would that impact how we show up in circumstances of death or loss of relationship?    Julia Nielsen is a Pastor and Sacred Organizer with Leaven Land and Housing in Portland, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Paul talk about Ephesians 5:8-14. In this passage, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus about being children of the light. Stori and Paul share about the trouble with light/dark good/bad metaphors can have in light of racism and white supremacy. They frame the text in light of knowledge and exposing painful truths so that they can be healed.    Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Paul LeFeber is a former pastor and a member of Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Josh and Rayah explore Exodus 17:1-7, a passage about a newly freed Israel thirsting while wandering the wilderness. They discuss what that scene may have looked like and the class difference between Moses and the Israelites. They also wonder if ‘striking the rock' for water might have been a metaphor for breaking down the hardness of their hearts and finding a life-giving source of water.    Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Jesse and Dylan dig into John 3:1-17 when Nicodemus visits Jesus. They talk about the oddity of the concept of being “born again” and how that can be used in a detrimental way to determine who is “in” as opposed to who is “out” or not a *real* christian.    Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon. Dylan Hyun is the Pastor of Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Oak Grove, Oregon.

Stori and Marshall talk about Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Christ. This very influential text talks about the beginning of Jesus's public ministry when he is drawn out into the wilderness and tempted by the devil. Stori and Marshall talk about the angle of the temptations that are offered to Jesus and how they relate to power. They discuss how power is wielded and Stori shares how she tests whether a call to power has evil roots or not. They also encourage us to note the end of the passage where Jesus is tended to by the angels after his face off with the devil and take time for care and celebration after difficult encounters.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Rayah talk about the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-9. In this passage, Jesus takes the disciples up on a mountain and Elijah and Moses appear while God once again speaks over Jesus and calls Jesus his beloved son. Stori and Rayah discuss the disciples' response and their desire to stay up on the mountaintop with their leaders instead of going back down the mountain and to the people. They also explore Jesus's possible frustration with the disciples' resistance to taking him at his word and how he may have felt about having to show so many signs to them.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Josh and Dylan sit down and discuss Matthew 5:21-27 a passage where Jesus makes some seemingly extreme statements regarding sin. Divorce is a big one both in their society and ours. Is divorce a sin that lingers forever? What even is sin? Josh and Dylan dive in and explore what it meant to Jesus and what it means for us today.  Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Dylan Hyun is the Pastor of Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Oak Grove, Oregon.

Today Anna and Jesse talk about Matthew 5:13-20 when Jesus talk about how we are the salt and light and that he came to fulfill the law. A lot of people may have some trauma around the way this verse has been used by those in power. The discussion today centers around what the concepts of justice and righteousness really mean in a corrupt and broken system. Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Anna and Jesse talk about the call of Jonah and the call of the disciples, and the nature of the Kingdom of God that they are all called to proclaim (Mark 1:14-20 and Jonah 3:1-5,10). They dig into the interruption that is the Kingdom of God, and the power of naming it as Good News, even in the places where Good News feels far away.   Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Jules dig into Matthew 4:12-23 the story where Jesus calls disciples and tells them to be “fishers of men.” They discuss the context of the story and where it sits in the broader picture - Jesus has some people he is close to being persecuted and they wonder if he may be feeling vulnerable in that moment. They also talk about how people are being fished for and what the bait that those who are trying to catch us might be using.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Julia Nielsen is a Pastor and Sacred Organizer with Leaven Land and Housing in Portland, Oregon

This week Josh and Jesse dive into John 1:29-42 - where John the Baptist proclaims Jesus to be the lamb of God and then Jesus acquires his first disciples. Jesse gets nerdy with the greek and breaks down the language and Josh shares about one of his favorite biographies. They talk about what it means to be a disciple and encourage us to “launch off and do our own thing.”  Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Anna and Rayah talk about the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12. They explore this well known story and go over the traditional interpretations of the story and what parts are assumed. These “Three Kings” have a lot of unknowns about them and the dominant traditional theology around them has given us a very specific narrative that is built on a lot of presumptions. They invite us to look at the story with curiosity and reimagine some of our long held beliefs about this story and all stories we come into contact with.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today's reading is Luke 2:1-14 (or any of the Gospels!). Stori and Rayah talk about Christmas in a more general way - their personal christmas histories, The War on Christmas™, capitalism, and traditions. Stori reads an excerpt from “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson. They ask us to think about what the phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season” means and consider whether the way we celebrate Christmas reflects the life and love of Jesus Christ. Not to shame, but to breathe life and creativity into a season in which many of us feel pressured to celebrate a certain way.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Julia and Jesse examine Matthew 1:18-25, when Joseph decided to divorce a pregnant Mary and then dreamt of an angel and changed his mind. They discuss dreams and visions during ancient times vs now and how much the social acceptability of having visions has changed. They ask us to consider - where are you being asked to step into the tension between external pressure and what your heart is telling you is right? What's the next most faithful step? Julia Nielsen is a Pastor and Sacred Organizer with Leaven Land and Housing in Portland, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Dez and Marshall discuss Luke 1:46-55 - The Song of Mary. Otherwise known as “The Magnificat,” it is the longest dialogue by a woman in the entire New Testament. Together they explore what it might have been like to have been pregnant and giving birth under the control of the empire. Dez sees parallels in Mary and the woman giving birth in Revelation 12 and Marshall reflects on the divine feminine. They talk about mercy and hope during not only this season before Christmas, but for all time.  Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Anna and Dylan dig into Matthew 3:1-12. In this passage, John the Baptist is baptizing people with water and prophesying about the one who would come after him and baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Dylan shares about John's history and the possibility that he may have been raised by the Essenes, a separatist movement in the desert, and brought the practice of baptism from there. Anna talks about the barriers that John broke down and they discuss how that radical access to the divine caused disruption and upset those who were previously in control of the public's access to God.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Dylan Hyun is the Pastor of Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Oak Grove, Oregon.

This week is the first Sunday of Advent so Julia and Josh take us into Matthew 24:36-44. They reflect on the way it seems odd to begin a new lectionary calendar with a passage that seems to be talking about the end. Julia talks about the cyclical nature of the rise and fall of empires and societies. Josh talks about how for every beginning or new thing, an old thing has to end. They both find hope in that while this passage talks about the end, it also makes way for a new beginning.    Julia Nielsen is the executive organizer of the Leaven Land and Housing Coalition in Portland, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Dez and Rayah take a walk through Psalm 46 - a Psalm with strong visuals about a chaotic earth and the refuge we can find in God. They are both struck by the connection to climate change and the increasingly violent response of nature and how we might contend with nature and find hope in these times. The other scripture on the lectionary for today was Jeremiah 23:1-6 which we encourage you to check out! ( a little bit on Psalm 94: https://medium.com/cbuworship/psalm-46-762d0b3f4556 ) Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Jesse and Marshall discuss Isaiah 65:17-25, which is a prophetic vision of a new creation. Marshall lays the groundwork and gives the context of Isaiah. This passage talks about how the workers will reap the fruits of their labor, rather than laboring endlessly on projects that they never enjoy the benefits of. They talk about how that relates to the workers who labor here in our own country and around the world but cannot afford to enjoy the kinds of work that they do - people building grand houses for others but going home to rundown apartments, or picking organic vegetables and only being able to afford boxed mac and cheese. Jesse and Marshall talk about the importance of listening to the experiences and voices of people in these positions and finding hope there.  Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Stori and Anna talk about Isaiah 2:1-5 and Joel 3:4-12. Specifically how Joel instructs people to turn their plowshares into swords and Isaiah says to turn swords into plowshares. They discuss the tension they feel about both holding our weapons, which are at times a source of liberation, but questioning if that may be Empire wisdom and perpetuating cycles that are destructive or is it just existing wise in the world as it is? They both have an inclination toward wanting a clear answer - to use the sword or transform it - when in fact maybe both can be held as your orient yourself toward a horizon that is imagined in Isaiah. Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today's episode is a departure from our regular content and a dive into Project Turnkey. Stori gives us a breakdown of what Project Turnkey is and the team at Storyline and the local community in Clackamas County give some powerful and excellent testimony in favor of the project. To learn more about Project Turnkey, please check out it out here.

Dez and Julia talk about Luke 18:9-14, a parable of two people who go to the temple to pray - one is thankful they arent as bad as those around them and one simply begs for mercy for his own sins. They talk about how they both understand and relate to the ideas of mercy and grace. They also reflect on how deeply relational this passage is - by focusing on the sins of others, the first person isolates themselves, and by focusing on their own sins, the latter shows their care for how their actions affect those around them.  Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Julia Nielsen is a Pastor and Sacred Organizer with Leaven Land and Housing in Portland, Oregon.

Rayah and Josh dig through Luke 18:1-8 - the story of the persistent widow seeking justice from an unjust judge. They talk about what this scripture might mean and how it might be explained to an atheist. They both feel this passage is a little odd and it almost comes off as God being an afterthought so they flesh that out a bit.  Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Jesse talk about Luke 17:11-19, a story about Jesus healing 10 men from a skin disease. Jesse gives some context about the Samaritans as well as giving an overview and brief history of leprosy. They discuss the social and moral effects of disease and how that stigmatization can divide people and push treatment further out of reach. They also talk about what reintegration after being separated means and how we should frame it- is reintegration the goal when it's with a community who cast you out? Or is there a better way to look at communities built out of resilience?  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Jesse dive into John 2:13-22 and the story of Jesus' cleansing of the temple. Stori breaks down some toxic masculinity associated with the text, while Jesse offers context that has implications for what it looks like to be a church that offers true spirituality as opposed to the monetized, transactional spirituality that centers our own experience and not the experience of those at margins. Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Trigger Warning: non-graphic discussion of hell/hades.    Today Dez and Josh go over Luke 16:19-31. This is a parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus in the afterlife. Dez talks about the discomfort involved in the passage because it seems to show depictions of hell, which carries a lot of baggage for many, many people. They also talk about the socio-economic implications of the parable. Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.  

Today Stori is joined by Devin and Valerie to discuss Luke 16:1-13. A story that starts out looking like a parable many of us have heard before, takes a surprising turn with an instruction from Jesus to “make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth.”  The trio dives into this enigmatic text that seems to defy understanding and wrestle it through to share their thoughts and questions - are there times that we are called to break the rules when the game is rigged? Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Devin Valdivia works for an art company, drinks too much coffee, and has two cats, and is a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Valerie Valdivia is a freelance artist and illustrator, impressive book nook creator, coffee shop frequent flier, and a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

Stori and Jesse talk about 2 scriptures today - Luke 15:1-10 and Psalm 51. They both have mixed feelings they have over this Psalm in which the author (attributed to King David) kinda gives what feels like a PR apology after he sins violently against Bathsheba and her husband. They discuss the parables of the lost sheep and coins and who those might represent. They also talk about what restorative justice might look like in our non-ideal reality. Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Anna and Rayah dig into Luke 14:25-33 where Jesus urges his followers to count the cost of following him into his next steps. This passage is often read as a test of loyalty - those who don't give up everything aren't the true believers. But is that really the point Jesus was attempting to make here? Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Dez and Marshall discuss Luke 14:1, 7-14. This is a lesser talked about passage where Jesus encourages people attending a party to have humility in their assumptions as to the importance of the attendees. He also encourages those throwing parties to not invite their friends and relatives and instead invite the poor and marginalized. Dez and Marshall talk about transactional relationships and explore different ways of thinking about our relationships with people when they dont seem to have anything to offer us. Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today, Sara and Rayah talk about Luke 13:10-17. In this story, Jesus breaks the Sabbath and heals a woman of a decades-long affliction and that really seems to make some of the church leadership angry. The discussion centers on rules and systems - why are some rules okay to break and how do we identify when those times come up? When do we uphold the system and when do we abolish it? Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Stori and Josh dive into Luke 12:49-56. This passage comes up a lot today, in a period of political upheaval and rise in christian nationalism - Jesus says that he came not to bring peace, but a sword, but what does that mean? Josh talks about Pax Romana and Stori talks about peace that is enforced by those in power isnt usually true peace for those who are subjected to that power.  They discuss the ways that keeping peace may be much easier than making peace, as making peace requires division in a society where marginalized people live under the threat of violence by those in power.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week we have a re-release of an episode from Anna and Jesse. They talk about John 12:20-33 and the cycle and necessity of death, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or institutional, and how it feeds new life...when we have the courage to let it.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

In today's episode Dez and Rayah talk about Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23. Dez shares a bit about the background of the book and the author, Kohelet (who is NOT King Solomon). They both find comfort and affirmation in the feelings the writer expresses - he seems angsty and frustrated, two emotions many christian churches discourage people from acknowledging.  Dez and Rayah talk about this passage especially in light of the many civil rights that are directly under attack by the Right and how it feels like all that work to get them was meaningless. They talk about how often framing things in the here and now vs the legacy mindset can help re-insert meaning - knowing that people are fighting for you when you're under attack is meaningful, even if a victory doesn't feel like it's in sight.    Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Sara and Josh sit down to discuss Luke 11:1-13 and Genesis 18:20-32 - The Lord's Prayer and a prayerful conversation between Abraham and God about Sodom and Gomorrah. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is a very fraught passage that many christians use to enable their own bigotry and they take a few minutes to condemn this interpretation before they move on to their main focus - prayer.  For many Christians in our western, capitalist society prayer often turns into a formula to get the material things they want in a transactional way. Sara and Josh take prayer to a deeper place of meaning and shaping ourselves into relational beings.  They leave us with the question - For whom would you go toe to toe with the Almighty for? Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Jules and Jesse dive into Amos 8:1-12. They talk about consequences, about the problem with thinking of them in an individual sense vs a collective sense, and how that impacts the entire planet.  Does our exploitation of cheap labor, reckless usage of natural resources, refusal to curb emissions to combat climate change, etc. in fact make us unable to hear the Word of God? Julia Nielsen is a Pastor and Executive Organizer with Leaven Land and Housing in Portland, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Stori and Adam talk about Luke 10:25-37, a story many of us are familiar with - the Good Samaritan. Adam gives a bit of context about the relationship between Jews and Samaritans. They talk a lot about not only how helping our neighbor reflects on us as individuals but also as a community and how that affects our resilience to trauma and adversity. Adam shares a little about his work with Second Home, connecting unhoused youth with homes in their communities and he also shares an important data point - Oregon has one of the highest rates of unaccompanied homeless youth in the nation. If you are interested in finding out how to help in a profound and impactful way, please reach out to Adam.  More information about Second Home and hosting youth can be found here: https://emoregon.org/second-home/ and you can email Adam here: ajenkins@emoregon.org. Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Adam Jenkins, Regional Director - E. Multnomah & Clackamas for Second Home, a branch of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Today Anna and Marshall take a look at Luke 10:1-11 and 16-20. Marshall shares about his experience with helping local Brazilians learn about their voting rights and power during a time of political unrest. They talk a lot about organizing and what it means to “power map” in that setting. Anna talks about her initial take away of “shaking the dust off your feet” as a sort of spiteful attitude vs how now she looks at it as encouragement to not carry that rejection on with you. Marshall shares about the importance of Qtips - Quit taking it personally - when presenting the message of peace. They both find a lot of joy and hope when they seek out places where they are well received and build relationships, rather than trying to force the gospel on those who aren't ready to hear it. Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Stori and Josh talk about Luke 9:51-62 in which Jesus tells his followers to let the dead bury their dead.  Josh gives the context of the passage and that of the books of Luke and Acts. They also reflect on the tension in what seem like some very harsh lines Jesus paints in order to follow him. Josh finds some good news, whereas Stori finds more points of reflection in the midst of tension. They invite us to reflect on where and when these instructions to let the dead care for themselves might or might not apply.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Sara and Rayah talk about their beefs with Paul in general and in the passage for today: Galatians 3:23-29. Paul has been used to cause great harm and oppression, but can also be a voice of liberation. Sara gives some background about Paul and the letters he is writing to the churches and Rayah talks about how this passage has been used in anti-semitic ways in previous churches they have been a part of. They both find good news in being able to look at people like Paul with a different perspective.  Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori is joined with The Naked Sermon's new regular host Dez to talk about Romans 5:1-5. They open up talking about the tension between being justified through faith vs by works and then spend most of the time talking about suffering.    Dez pushes back on the implied idea in this passage - that suffering always produces good results, because sometimes trauma just makes you act like a jerk. Stori talks about the distance she felt from her grief after losing her sister as a child, specifically because of scripture premises like this where she felt a need to make something positive from suffering. She reminds us that alienation from others makes it hard for suffering to produce anything good. Together Stori and Dez talk through the idea that the real key to getting a positive outcome from suffering is our  connection to community. Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon.

Anna and Jesse discuss two passages today, Genesis 11:1-9 and Acts 2:1-21, that they explore as being in conversation with each other. Jesse describes how these texts have often been viewed as in conflict with each other but he has a bit of a different way of seeing them. Anna relates a story about how her kids helped her view the Tower of Babel story in a new light. Jesse talks about the danger of conformity and wanting everyone to believe, look, and speak the same way. Anna finds good news in the beauty of chaos.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and special guest host Marshall dig into Acts 16:16-34 this week. The passage starts out with Paul and Silas relieving a slave girl of her fortune telling abilities which leads to their incarceration. Stori and Marshall talk about how it wasnt the conversion that got people upset, it was the fact that it messed with their money and power that the real blow back began. Stori talks about a difficult aspect of the story - what happened to the slave girl after her fortune telling abilities are gone and she is no longer of any value to the slave owners? They also talk about the jailer going from the position of being the oppressor, to being liberated himself, and then becoming an agent of liberation for Paul and Silas.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Marshall Wattman-Turner is a Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Josh talk about healing in today's podcast about John 5:1-9. They go over the complicated relationship Christianity has with miracles and healing. Josh brings up the idea of healing having a deeper component than simply “curing” someone. Stori invites us to examine the ways we may be letting people suffer 5 feet from the resources without helping them get there.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week, SPECIAL guests Brandi Johnson and Jennifer Morris join Pastor Sara to talk about Jesus' commission in John 13:31-35 to love one another. Spoiler alert: it's a MESS. But the best, holiest kind of mess. Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Brandi Johnson is the Executive Director for LoveOne Laundry in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jennifer Morris is the Executive Director for The Father's Heart Street Ministry in Oregon City, Oregon.

This week there is a content warning as Stori and Jesse dive into Revelation 7:9-17. “End times” and the Book of Revelation can be really triggering or distressing for some, so Stori invites you to care for your soul and skip this episode or turn it off if it becomes too triggering for you.  Jesse gives us the context today and gives the caveat that it would take many, many episodes to really give the Book of Revelation and this passage all the context that's really relevant but gives us a brief overview. Of course no discussion about Revelation and End Times would be complete without discussing the absolute travesty of the ‘Left Behind' series.  As this episode was recorded on May 4th, they get a little nerdy and bring in some Star Wars comparisons!  In a book that has traditionally been a catalyst for 'hellfire and brimstone,' Stori and Jesse come away with a beautiful reimagining of empire and inclusion.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.  

Rayah and Anna talk about John 21:1-19 - a story about fishing that culminates in the fairly well known exchange with Jesus and Peter where Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him. Anna relates the exchange to a scene in Good Will Hunting (if you havent see it, here's a link to the scene. TW: discussion and photos of abuse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQht2yOX9Js). A lot of the conversation this week centers around why we feel shame when we fail, how to repair that harm, and restore ourselves and each other back to the community.    Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon. Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Sara and Jesse parse through John 20:19-31. This is the story of “Doubting” Thomas and they give us a lot of perspective into why that is a pretty unfair label for Thomas. Sara and Jesse also talk about the bravery of those who *weren't* locked up in the upper room - namely Thomas and the women.  Sara invites us to reflect on the last time we felt the “I'll believe it when I see it” vibe. Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Jesse Christopherson is Pastor at Milwaukie Lutheran in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Stori and Rayah talk about Palm Sunday and Luke 19:28-40. Rayah talks a bit about the specificity of the colt vs a horse. Stori gives us a taste of the womanist interpretation of the palm branch rally in the streets.  Rayah goes off a little bit about a recent christian hate rally in Salem which you can read more about here: http://www.teachergorman.com/blog/2022/4/2/open-letter-to-christians-in-the-united-states  Stori invites us to step outside the arena of respectability politics when the time is right - raise your voice or the rocks will cry out! Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Anna and Josh take us through John 12:1-8 this week! Anna gives us a recap on the scripture then Josh tells us more about the social and historical context. Josh talks about the unique factor in John's gospel - intimate relationships with some sort of physical component. He sets the scene of a fairly intimate foot massage possibly making the rest of the folks in the room uncomfortable. Anna points out that not only might it have been awkward but there was also a taboo element to the social class.  They talk about what might be missing or lacking from theology discussions when the breadth of human representation across gender, race, and class isnt present. For Anna the good news in this story is about taking a breath and pausing and looking around the room to find the spirit in the here and now. For Josh, the good news is a place for those that connect to spirituality sensually or sensorily, which often is rejected by Western Christianity.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Sara and Stori take this week's passage - Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32, the story of the Prodigal Son. Sara gives the context - this parable is grouped with the parable of the lost coin and the lost sheep, and it is only found in Luke. Sara also advises that parables were meant to be played with, not point to one “right” and concrete answer. Stori talks about a couple of things that this parable reminds her of - one of which is the last Star Wars movie (spoiler alert!). Stori and Sara both talk about only fairly recently finding out the definition of the word prodigal, which is often misunderstood as “wayward.”  They leave us with a couple of questions - What is more important to follow - rules or relationship? What would it look like to love those around us the way the father loves his returning son? Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon.