With Love And Justice For All

Recording on May 1st (International Workers Day) Revs Kelly & Ogun draw parallels between celebrating the struggles and rights of laborers and the Gaelic spring pagan festival of Beltane.

Revs Kelly & Ogun talk about the death of Pope Francis, his papacy, and how we might be more religious than we think.

Revs Kelly & Ogun view the Easter story and Jesus' life from a paradigm of revolution against Empire. 

Rev Kelly recounts her "Hands Off!" demonstration experience and discusses with Rev Ogun how our paradigm of freedom determines our attitude and action around justice.

Revs Kelly & Ogun continue their discussion about lent with a focus on joy, justice, reinvention, and finding comfort in unmade plans.

As we explore what Lent means for us today, we discuss loss, grief, and lamenting as a healing spiritual practice.

Revs Kelly and Ogun explore the potentially debilitating impact of shame, while also acknowledging that it may serve a useful purpose in justice work.

Revs Kelly & Ogun talk about prophetic spirituality as a path to clarity of conviction and commitment to justice.

Our unconscious beliefs and practices shape our language, and that language shapes our communities. Language matters, who we listen to matters, deepening our awareness of the ways we are tangled in systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism matters. On this episode Revs Kelly & Ogun take a look at contemplative practices that can help us see more clearly and cultivate our commitment to liberation for all people using disability affirming, gender inclusive and affirming, as well as culturally inclusive practices. Register for our Decolonize Your Prayers learning pod at projectsanctus.com/events/decolonize-prayer

Revs Kelly & Ogun talk about the challenges of cultivating belonging without othering those who would seek to inflict harm and death through isolationist policies. _______ Sign up for our zoon book club discussion of BELONGING WITHOUT OTHERING on Feb 27, 7:30pm ET at projectsanctus.com/846-book-club

Revs Kelly & Ogun make a direct appeal to fellow clergy to be brave and emulate Episcopalian Bishop Budde in speaking truth directly to power.  ________ Free registration is now open for our 8:46 Book Club zoom discussion on BELONGING WITHOUT OTHERING on Feb 27th. The root of all inequality is the process of othering – and its solution is the practice of belonging. For more info and to register visit projectsanctus.com/846-book-club ________ Registration is now open for our upcoming  zoom learning pod DECOLONIZE OUR PRAYERS on Feb 15. We are looking at contemplative practices that can help us see more clearly and cultivate our commitment to liberation for all people. Economic Justice pricing available. More info and registration at projectsanctus.com/events/decolonize-prayer

The Apocalypse is officially here! Revs Kelly & Ogun talk about Trump's inauguration, his slew of Executive Orders, and how we can be the antidote to the Apocalypse.  ______ Free registration is now open for our 8:46 Book Club zoom discussion on BELONGING WITHOUT OTHERING on Feb 27th. The root of all inequality is the process of othering – and its solution is the practice of belonging. For more info and to register visit projectsanctus.com/846-book-club

DEI programs and initiatives helped bring awareness to the need for justice and equity while perpetuating and creating harm. More and more corporations are scrapping their programs that were likely performative, and as a show of allegiance to the incoming administration. Revs kelly and Ogun discuss this understandable yet alarming trend, and talk about a recent event in the Unity community that showed the need for DEI programs to remain. For more info, to register for our activities, and to make a donation visit projectsanctus.com

Revs Kelly & Ogun return after a break with a recap of their time off and a few hints at new project_SANCUTS opportunities for 2025. To learn more and to make a donation visit projectsanctus.com

In the final episode of 2024 Kelly and Ogun explore the ways we can create new rituals and practices for Thanksgiving that are more aligned with liberation. For more info and to support the podcast visit projectsanctus.com

Revs Kelly & Ogun share their post-election thoughts and discuss next steps for the liberation revolution. _____ Find community and solidarity in our Antiracsim Affinity Groups. More info + free registration at projectsanctus.com/antiracism-affinity-groups

There have been many conversations about spiritual bypassing. In this episode Revs Kelly and Ogun talk about political bypassing, another way to avoid uncomfortable discussions about the bigger issues that continue to perpetuate systems of oppression.

Revs Kelly & Ogun discuss the legacy of colonialism and what we can do about it. They highlight some Indigenous activists you probably never heard of but need to know about.  LINKS: 10 Native American Activists You Should Know Decolonize the Holidays: An Alternative to Columbus Day (and Canadian Thanksgiving) _____________ Sign up for our EMBODIED PRACTICES FOR THE ELECTION workshop at projectsanctus.com  

As Indigenous Peoples Day approaches Revs Kelly & Ogun talk about the whitewashing and redacting of history. _________ Sign up for our workshops and make a donation at https://projectsanctus.com/  

Revs Kelly and Ogun talk about the 2nd assassination attempt on the former president and the challenge of defining Justice.  _______ Registration now open for our workshops UNCONSCIOUS BIAS and EMBODIED PRACTICES FOR ELECTIONS at https://projectsanctus.com/events/  

Kelly and Ogun briefly recap the presidential debate before sharing the importance of embodied practices as tools for navigating anxiety around the upcoming election. ------------------------ Join us on Sept 14 at 10:30am EST on Zoom for our Embodied Practices For Elections workshop. During this 90-minute live, powerful, experiential session of engaging embodied practices we will connect with our own bodily wisdom and deep resources. Registration now open at https://projectsanctus.com/events/embodied-practices-for-elections/ ------------------------ Support our work with a donation at https://projectsanctus.com/donate/  

Revs Kelly and Ogun talk about their experience participating in and hosting Affinity Groups, and why everyone needs to be in one. Join our online Affinity Group -- https://projectsanctus.com/antiracism-affinity-groups/  

It's been a WILD 10 days! We review the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention, Biden's decision not to run, and the enthusiastic embrace of Kamala Harris as the Democratic presumptive nominee for President. We also talk about the anticipated misogynoir that will come the Vice President's way, Project 2025, and how spiritual communities and clergy can respond. Links: Summary of Project 2025 - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do Misogynoir - https://www.blackburncenter.org/post/2020/02/12/what-is-misogynoir  

For the Week of Visibility for Non-Monogamy we welcome Jennifer C Martin who writes and speaks about religion, politics, polyamory, sexuality, culture, entertainment, and more. Jennifer lives in Richmond, VA with her two partners, two children, two dogs, six chickens, one cat, and one frog. She is a member of the United Church of Christ. We talk about her journey to polyamory, her coming out at church experience, and what she's teaching churches about being inclusive to non-monogamous people and familes. Learn more about Jennifer at https://jennifercmartin.com/ Learn more about the Week of Visibility for Non-Monogamy at https://www.weekofvisibility.com/  

In the lead-up to celebrating the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, we talk about how the effects of colonialism are still very much with us. 

We revisit one of our book club faves HOSPICING MODERNITY in a unique way while putting Rev Ogun on the spot. Get your very own GESTURING TOWARDS DECOLONIAL FUTURES card deck at https://decolonialfutures.net/gtdf-decks-of-cards/  

Welcoming spaces aren't necessarily inclusive spaces, and does inclusive mean everyone has to be there?  LINKS: Inclusive Spaces Workshop - https://projectsanctus.com/events/inclusive-spaces/  People of African Descent New Thought Group - https://padntg.com/  

We talk about Juneteenth and how to talk to your people about Juneteenth and other potentially uncomfortable issues.  _______ Register for our workshop TALKING WITH YOUR PEOPLE: BUILD MORE AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS on June 15, 10:30am ET and learn how to navigate difficult conversations about uncomfortable issues -- https://projectsanctus.com/events/talking-with-your-people/ _______ LINKS: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/style/opal-lee-juneteenth.html https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth https://www.npr.org/2022/06/20/1106193407/celebrate-juneteenth-the-right-way https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/my-pride-is-black-my-juneteenth-is-queer

May is Masturbation Month and on this episode Revs Kelly and Ogun talk about self-pleasure as a path of activism and liberation, overcoming shame and taboos, the dangerous anti-masturbation movement, and ways to celebrate this and every month. LINKS: Origins of Masturbation Month and ways to celebrate -- https://www.tryquinn.com/blog/masturbation-month Myths and benefits of masturbation -- https://www.tryquinn.com/blog/benefits-of-masturbation The anti-masturbation and NoFap movement -- https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1198916105/mens-health-masturbation-abstinence Incels -- https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/incels-involuntary-celibates Pleasure Activism -- https://adriennemareebrown.net/2010/11/11/the-return-of-the-pleasure-activist/  

We return for our 4th season with an exploration of obstacles to and solutions for access to mental health services for marginalized and minoritized folks.  To learn more about project_SANCTUS and to make a donation visit https://projectsanctus.com/  

Revs Kelly and Ogun continue their discussion on reparations and dismantling capitalism. Learn more and make a donation at https://projectsanctus.com/   LINKS: https://decolonizingwealth.com/ https://decolonizingwealth.com/liberated-capital/ https://thehill.com/policy/international/4559692-un-chief-slavery-reparations/ https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dem-congresswoman-suggests-black-americans-should-be-exempt-from-taxes-as-form-of-reparations/ https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine-lead-stories/2958920/against-the-reparations-racket-this-progressive-scheme-compels-us-to-make-a-false-confession-about-our-nation/  

This first of two episodes on dismantling capitalism covers various facets of reparations. Learn more and donate at https://projectsanctus.com/  

After completing their book club exploration of "Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity's Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism” by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira, Rev Kelly and Rev Ogun review one of her many invitations for transformation: Composting our shit! 101 ways to avoid dealing with shit

Visit projectsanctus.com for more info and to make a donation

During Black History Month we are highlighting Black folks doing the work. On the episode we welcome Phyl Flanagan (they/she) the Justice, Equity & Belonging Program Manager at YWCA Columbus, OH and founder of The Reconnection Circle consulting firm. Phyl grew up in Cincinnati, OH among their large extended and multicultural family. Their academic and professional background includes health & wellness, human development, embodied activism, restorative practices and macro social work. They spent over a decade working in early childhood education and development, as well as direct social service before transitioning into social justice and community devepment. Phyl studied at The Ohio State University, International Institute of Restorative Practices, Boston University and The Embody Lab. To learn more about Phyl's work visit https://www.ywcacolumbus.org/social-justice/justice-equity-and-belonging-training/ Mother Jones article referenced in Headlines -- https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/02/florida-desantis-black-history-month/ Learn more about the Black History Project at https://www.blackhistoryproject.org/  

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day we continue our exploration of what he truly meant when he invited us into Beloved Community. It's not nearly as kumbaya and touchy-feely as we might imagine. We also cover a few relevant headlines. To learn more and donate to support our work visit projectsanctus.com Headline Links: https://religionnews.com/2024/01/12/in-iowa-and-beyond-evangelicals-follow-their-party-more-than-their-faith/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/01/south-africa-israel-amalek-netanyahu/ https://apnews.com/article/dei-diversity-corporations-affirmative-action-309864f08e6ec63a45d18ca5f25d7540  

As we approach Martin Luther King Jr Day we kick off 2024 with an exploration of what he truly meant when he invited us into Beloved Community. It's not nearly as kumbaya and touchy-feely as we might imagine. We also cover a few relevant headlines and introduce our new 8:46 book Blub selection. To learn more and donate to support our work visit projectsanctus.com

In the final episode for 2023 we take a look at how systems of oppression influence the ways we observe Christmas, and explore ways to decoloonize our celebrations.

We conclude our series on Dismantling The Patriarchy with a discussion about parenting, family, and eldercare.

We continue our discussion about how patriarchy shows up in our everyday lives. In Pt.4 we focus on perpetuating patriarchy in religion, spirituality, and spiritual communities.

After a break for travel and covid, Revs. Kelly and Ogun resume their "Dismantling The Patriarchy" series. In this episode they explore how the patriarchy influences our beliefs and practices of self-care and pleasure.

We continue our discussion about how patriarchy shows up in our everyday lives. In Part 2 we focus on work. Transcript: coming soon Links: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/01/the-enduring-grip-of-the-gender-pay-gap/#:~:text=The%20gender%20pay%20gap%20%E2%80%93%20the,every%20dollar%20earned%20by%20men. https://leanin.org/women-in-the-workplace#! https://apnews.com/article/nobel-prize-economy-224c204c0cc20843636e5525d6a61673  

We naively thought we could talk about dismantling the patriarchy in one or two episodes. In real time we realized this needed to be a series.  in "Dismantling The Patriarchy" we explore how all perpetuate patriarchy, how we are all harmed by it, and ways we can begin to dismantle it across five everyday life categories. In Pt.1 we explore the patriarchy's impact on our relationships, identity, and sex life.  Transcript: Coming soon MEN: BETTER TOGETHER is an online support group for adult men (18+) seeking a safe space to connect and converse around healing from internalized patriarchy and becoming increasingly better versions of ourselves in all areas of life: relationships, work, pleasure, spirituality, identity, parenting, family, and more. All men are welcome to participate regardless of identification, orientation, race, ethnicity, ability, income, education, religious beliefs or relationship status. Register now. Please visit our sponsor Bliss Books & Wine and support a Black-woman owned independent bookseller. Use code 846BOOK for 10% discount.

Revs Kelly and Ogun talk about latest developments in voter disenfranchisement, women yet again being overworked and underpaid, Texas doing a good thing for once, and other headlines you might have missed, but all after going on a bit of a tangent about grief and prosperity teachings. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ewPIGe8Lrou6jT03hB4xlb8R9-4G6bnTWD-W3hZPcAE/edit?usp=sharing   Links: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/public-schools-rely-on-underpaid-female-labor-its-not-sustainable/2023/08 https://thegrio.com/2023/09/14/alan-moore-asks-dc-comics-to-reroute-royalty-checks-to-black-lives-matter/ https://thegrio.com/2023/09/14/the-other-black-girl-what-you-need-to-know/ https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/texas-crown-act-law/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/09/13/darryl-george-suspended-locs-texas-crown-act/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/09/trump-pennsylvania-automatic-voter-registration/ https://thegrio.com/2023/09/15/people-convicted-of-felonies-in-miss-should-get-their-voting-rights-back-democratic-candidates-say/  

Kelly and Ogun talk about how the big 3 systems of oppression (white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism) impact grief, and Ogun gives an update from Morocco. Transcript --  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GTj5k4o_Nt9TKfLZXV5JJ4vT48aGCgTxi3LVolE6D2I/edit?usp=sharing  

We commemorate the anniversaries of Emmett Till's murder and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and he talk about the recent racist killings in Jacksonville, FL and how PragerU is rewriting history. Transcript: Coming Soon Links: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1196190910/march-on-washington-mlk-dream-speech-anniversary https://theintercept.com/2023/08/28/march-on-washington-jobs/ https://apnews.com/article/deadly-shooting-florida-store-race-bd2bf9591f40903a923dbd8a46d8fb97 https://www.theroot.com/what-are-the-similarities-in-the-jacksonville-buffalo-1850781610 https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4141994-what-is-prageru-the-conservative-education-platform-now-in-florida-schools/ https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/education/2023-08-09/what-parents-should-know-prageru-kids-videos-florida-schools  

We take a look at the ongoing assault on voting rights as well as spotlight the activist Fannie Lou Hamer. Transcript: Coming soon Links: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/fannie-lou-hamer https://19thnews.org/2023/07/fannie-lou-hamer-disability-voting-rights-activism/ https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/much-to-the-gops-chagrin-majority-still-rules-in-ohio/ https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/six-anti-voting-lawsuits-rebuffed-by-courts-this-summer/ https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-happened-to-floridas-5th-congressional-district/ https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/60-years-later-alabama-lawmakers-defy-the-u-s-supreme-court-again/ https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/new-voting-restrictions-america  

Black folk at the Montgomery, AL docks showed up, Black women being body-shamed AGAIN!, a new Black-woman owned business to support, and other headlines you might have missed. Transcript: Coming soon Links: https://www.theroot.com/the-reason-black-folks-are-rejoicing-over-the-montgomer-1850717512 https://blacknews.com/news/isha-mason-black-female-employee-costco-manager-body-shamed-her-work-attire/ https://thegrio.com/2023/08/07/edward-blum-fearless-fund-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-black-women-business-owners/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/7/former-us-police-officer-sentenced-for-role-in-george-floyds-killing https://thegrio.com/2023/08/07/black-people-knew-what-jamie-foxx-meant-by-they-perhaps-others-should-understand-too/ https://people.com/white-mom-accused-of-trafficking-biracial-daughter-sues-southwest-airlines-7570500 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/06/jef-goodell-heatwaves-racism-the-heat-will-kill-you-first-book https://thegrio.com/2023/08/07/democrats-see-michigan-and-minnesota-as-guides-for-what-to-do-with-majority-power/ https://blacknews.com/news/original-collard-greens-cultural-festival-celebrate-history-traditional-african-american-food/ https://blacknews.com/news/michelle-watson-black-woman-entrepreneur-organic-tea-products-inspired-grandmother/  

August is National Black Business Month. We explore the historical and contemporary obstacles that contribute to racial wealth inequities, and share steps we can all take towards economic justice. Transcript: Comin soon Links: https://nationaltoday.com/black-business-month/ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/wealth-disparities-in-civil-rights/barriers-to-racial-wealth-equality/ https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/black-owned-businesses https://blkgrn.com/pages/never-list  

Florida is rewriting history AGAIN, it's Barbenheimer weekend, State Attorney Generals protecting abortion rights, and some other headlines you might have missed.   Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12-pKlkZ5JG-HngrvtgXEhla-YmuyMapg/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117188677819474678160&rtpof=true&sd=true   Links: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-no-public-education-isnt-too-woke-its-barely-even-awake/2023/07 https://www.theroot.com/fla-approves-new-watered-down-black-history-curriculum-1850659247 https://www.theroot.com/vice-president-harris-speaks-out-against-floridas-contr-1850663242 https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-diversity-inclusion-487edd40ee9a57faa0cfe94e8e4684e6 https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/07/wesleyan-legacy-admissions-affirmative-action-ivy-league-harvard-supreme-court/ https://www.them.us/story/texas-judge-303-creative-decision-refuse-same-sex-marriages https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/hispanic-homesteaders-and-the-los-alamos-national-laboratory.htm https://www.theroot.com/black-women-that-have-barbies-made-after-them-1850656396 https://www.sciencealert.com/regular-short-naps-could-be-the-easiest-way-to-reduce-the-risk-of-dementia https://www.americanprogress.org/article/8-ways-state-attorneys-general-have-protected-abortion-rights-since-the-fall-of-roe-v-wade/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/world-cup-indigenous-flags-first_n_64ba2e05e4b09a3b48921a02  

Our featured guest for Disability Pride Month is Caz Killjoy. Caz is a Disability and Sexuality Freelance Educator and Consultant. Caz (pronouns: they/them/theirs) is currently on medical sabbatical. Prior to that sabbatical, they spent their life focusing on the things that make most people uncomfortable: accessibility; sex and kink; pain, disability, and illness; death and poverty; advocacy; and digital harm reduction. Caz is a white, genderqueer, queer person who practices non-monogamy as a relationship anarchist. Caz is also an abolitionist, an anarchist, an atheist, and an anti-Zionist; a lumpen-precariat; a formerly unhoused person; a former sex worker; a proud GED recipient; a writer and storyteller and blogger; and they are multiply disabled; Caz's disabilities are the least interesting thing about them. In Slavic, “Caz” means “the famous destroyer of peace,” but “Caz” is also an abbreviation of their first name, hence the name “Caz Killjoy” – which started out as a joke and now they're stuck with it. To learn more or get in touch, find Caz at http://ConnectWithCaz.com .   Episode Transcript - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ILqV07ej2zF4iGKdl_NdGFjJ_1em4A6f/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117188677819474678160&rtpof=true&sd=true   Links How many disabled people are there? by Peter Torres Fremlin at Disability Debrief Resources on Ableism How do these representations of disability in music make you feel? Wheelchair Sports Camp: “Yess I'm A Mess” Ellie Goldstein (lip syncing): “The Disability Serviceland Song” Delta Spirit: “What's Done is Done” Book Skin, Tooth, and Bone: The Basis of Movement is Our People (2019) by Sins Invalid. Not only did they write the book about disability justice, they birthed the concept. Articles No Roles for BIPOC Disabled Actors in Hollywood: I'm A Black, Disabled Actor. This Is How I'm Making My Place In Hollywood. by Regina F. Graham at refinery29. This article interviews three disabled women of color who are actors about their struggle to find roles in Hollywood due to ableism and racism. Violence in Language: Circling Back to Linguistic Ableism by Lydia X.Z. Brown. This blog post covers ableism in our language and includes a link to a glossary of ableist phrases. Short Film (streaming for free) Jeremy the Dud, available in full for free on YouTube (2017): A great cast of several actually disabled actors, including Chloé Hayden who went on to play Quinni in Heartbreak High. The short film is a comedy set in a world where everyone has a disability, and those that don't are treated with the same prejudice, stigma, and condescending attitudes people with disabilities face in our own society.  Social Media Imani Barbarin is a Black cis woman who has cerebral palsy – and has the internet's hottest takes on ableism and other disability-related issues. Check her out on TikTok as @crutches_and_spice. TV Show (subscription required) Queer as Folk, available on Peacock (2022): Stars actor Ryan O'Connell as Julian Beaumont. Ryan is a white gay cis man who has cerebral palsy. Also features biracial actor and dancer Eric Graise in a recurring role as Marvin. Eric is a bilateral amputee who uses a wheelchair in the show (he does not use a wheelchair outside of the show). Guest stars actor, model, and activist Nyle DiMarco, who is a white Deaf cis gay man, as Leo. Amazing portrayals of ableism, including internalized ableism, particularly as they relate to sex and relationships. Resources on Archiving Awkward Archives: Ethnographic Drafts for a Modular Curriculum (2020) by Margareta von Oswold and Jonas Tinus. (free PDF book.) Gracen Brilmyer's Disability Archives Lab. Preserving Disability: Disability and the Archival Profession (expected late Fall 2023; book) published by Litwin Books. Society of American Archivists AMRT/RMRT Working Group on Accessibility's Guidelines for Accessible Archives for People with Disabilities.