Podcasts about presiding bishop michael curry

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12. Sermon by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

What parts of our faith are worth holding onto? In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joins Pete and Jared to discuss ways to think differently about scripture and the importance of keeping love at the center of your being. This is a reissue of The Bible for Normal People Episode 192 from February 2022. Show Notes → ********** This episode is brought to you by Litter Robot! Litter-Robot by Whisker is the solution to all your litter box problems, with self-cleaning technology that automatically cleans after every use so your cats will always have a fresh bed of litter to do their business - and your friends won't think your house smells like a litter box. Right now, Whisker is offering $75 off Litter-Robot bundles. AND, as a special offer to listeners, you can get an additional $50 off when you go to stopscooping.com/NORMALPEOPLE. ********** This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families: parents can send money to their kids and keep an eye on kids' spending and saving, while kids and teens build money confidence and lifelong financial literacy skills. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to greenlight.com/normalpeople. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, A'ndre welcomes a unique guest: The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Some of our audience may recall Bishop Curry's captivating sermon during the 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He has been an outspoken advocate on various social and political issues, discussing the Episcopal Church's role in policy advocacy amid rising toxicity in discussions about religion and politics.Bishop Curry addresses the church's unique stance on LGBTQ+ rights and reflects on the divisions within the global Anglican communion, particularly regarding Uganda's severe penalties for LGBTQ+ individuals. He also shares his perspective on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and how he approaches conversations about it, given the region's significance to the three major Abrahamic religions.A'ndre and the Bishop conclude the episode with a discussion on Christian Nationalism, where Bishop Curry offers strong critiques of the concept.

Sometimes going through the motions is the whole point.On this episode, which drops amid Holy Week, Roxy and Katelyn reflect on the beauty, meaning, and mystery they have found in the church liturgy. Instead of feeling rote, the rhythms and prayers of the church have become nourishing for us. Kind of like a favorite meal. They are joined by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, the American branch of the Anglican Communion. He talks about his approach to evangelism, his hopes for the church as it could be facing schism, and how he tries to ask 'what would Jesus do?' even when the answer is rather annoying.GUEST: The Most Rev. Michael Curry is presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, the first person of color to serve in the role. He is an author, activist, and appeared on the global stage as he officiated Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry appointed Ruthie McLain of Calvary Episcopal Church (Memphis) as one of nine delegates from the Episcopal Church to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This year's conference theme—"innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”—is timely, considering how the world has evolved since the pandemic began, noted Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church's representative to the United Nations. This week on Faithfully Memphis, Ruthie joins Bishop Phoebe live from the UN to give an update from the session, as part of our Women in the Church series.

Our podcast series on the future of the Church - Cast Down, Raised Up - concludes this week with a very special conversation with the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry was elected in 2015 to a nine-year term in this role, and the animating vision and message of his ministry is Jesus of Nazareth and his model of radical, sacrificial love. You can learn more about Michael Curry here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/presiding-bishop-michael-curry/

Bishop Michael Curry might be best known for delivering the sermon at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He is currently the presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, and is the first African American to serve as in that role. Diana Akiyama is currently the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. She is the first Japanese-American woman to become an Episcopal priest and the first Asian-American woman to become an Episcopal bishop. Geoff Norcross sits down with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Diana Akiyama at St. John the Baptist Parish on the campus of Oregon Episcopal School for a conversation about faith, diversity within the Episcopal Church, and the role of justice in the church.

"Remember where you came from." Sermon by the Most Rev'd Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, delivered live at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, September 11, 2022.  View the video archive of this sermon on our YouTube channel's Sermon Playlist. Be sure to like us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and learn more about this open & welcoming community, including upcoming events, at trinity-episcopal.org.

Choirs have and will always be an essential part of worship. "You can look at a choir and find you in it" - Jason McGee"There is a power communicated in a diverse choir that spans everything" - Bishop WrightIn this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Jason McGee, Choir Director of Maverick City Music. In it, they discuss the origin of choirs, the diversity choirs represent, and why Jason said yes to being a part of Imagine Worship in NYC on Oct 3 with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Listen in for the full conversation. - - - - -Jason McGee & The Choir, established in 2015, have become affectionately known as “the choir for hire." They've worked with music icons Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Raphael Sadiq, Logic, and David Foster, just to name a few. They've recorded songs for Usher, Gospel superstar Erica Campbell, UK rock band The 1975, Christian artist Matthew Redman, and The Fray's lead singer Joe King. They can be heard on the movie soundtrack for Birth of a Nation and seen on television shows such as David Tutera's CELEBrations, CBS' Pure Genius, and Hallmark's Home & Family.In 2016, Jason McGee & The Choir signed with legendary producer Warryn Campbell and his record label MyBlock Inc. They've since released hit singles like “Promises,” which was named by Billboard as one of the top added Gospel songs to radio in 2018, along with "Never Let You Go," and "It's Not Over."Jason McGee & The Choir continue to spread their message of God's love through music, fashion, and performance. They seek out any opportunity to take that message far beyond the church walls and have become leaders in Gospel and trend setters among choirs. They are grateful for any and all opportunities and have purposed to be "medicine to the spiritually sick."

In our first Just Conversation at General Convention, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Founder of Campaign Zero DeRay McKesson. Bishop Curry talks about his hopes for the Church during the General Convention, and the decision to scale back the conference due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. DeRay McKesson discusses hope and faith, what it means to show up and tell the truth in public, and his work at Campaign Zero. If you'd like to make a donation to Campaign Zero, please click here.   We will have daily episodes throughout the Episcopal Church General Convention. Please subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.  

The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church - this year in Baltimore, Maryland - is almost here. But if you're like most Episcopalians, you may not know exactly what happens at General Convention or what it even is. But fear not! This week, we're kicking off a new season of Faithfully Memphis with conversations with leaders in our larger Episcopal and worldwide Anglican communities - Of One Heart and Of One Soul. In this kickoff episode, Canon Sharon Alexander demystifies General Convention and provides a crash course in the polity and structure of governance of the the Episcopal Church in a conversation with the Reverend Molly James, who serves as Deputy Executive Officer of the 80th General Convention. We're also thrilled to confirm that Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be a guest on Faithfully Memphis later this year! To learn more about The Episcopal Church, go to episcopalchurch.org. You can learn more about the General Convention and follow proceedings at generalconvention.org/about. To learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, go to EDWTN.org.

David is a political writer and former attorney who took on high-profile cases for religious liberty. He was also a major in the Army Reserve who served in Iraq, and before that he served as president of FIRE, the campus free-speech group. David now writes for The Dispatch and The Atlantic, and his latest book is Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. Last summer he wrote this wonderful review of my essay collection, Out On A Limb, but this is the first time we’ve spoken.You can listen to the episode right away in the audio player above. For two clips of my convo with David — on how many political Christians completely miss the point of Jesus, and on the “God gap” within the Democratic coalition — head over to our YouTube page.That convo is a good complement to our January episode with Christopher Rufo (the two have tussled before), so we just transcribed Rufo’s episode in full. Here’s a reminder of his stance on CRT in the schools:Starting around the 30-minute mark in the new episode, David and I discuss the tricky defense of liberalism in the face of both CRT curriculum and anti-CRT bills. We also grapple with the corrosive effects of Twitter and, in particular, the commentary surrounding the racist massacre in Buffalo this week. On that note, a reader writes:I am a member of a mainline Christian denomination and parent of young children. My personal and professional experience of social media is centered on connections with clergy colleagues and active church members attached to a wide variety of Christian denominations. When news of the racially motivated shooting in Buffalo broke, my social media relationships immediately shifted to a flurry of outrage, comments about the pox of racism built into the American way, and pithy memes noting that the root problem of all that ails us is white supremacy.For example, one friend wrote in response to the Buffalo shooting, “The root cause of gun violence is white supremacy. We will not be safe from gun violence until we end white supremacy. White fam, we are the ones who can end white supremacy. It is on us.” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church released a statement decrying the racism behind the shooting. Members of my left-leaning church have asked and encouraged me to preach from the pulpit about the evils of white supremacy and white fragility, especially now in light of the Buffalo shooting. However, I did not hear a thing from these same people or religious bodies following the racially motivated shooting by Frank James on the NYC subway last month. Mr. James has been indicted on federal terror charges after shooting ten people. Were there no official prayers for victims and to end racial violence from religious bodies because no one ultimately died in the subway shooting? Why were there no tweets, memes, or impassioned calls to “do better” after such a horrific, calculated attack? The silence after that racially motivated shooting compared to the outcry after this month’s racially motivated shooting is noteworthy. And essential to the CRT worldview. Racism is unique to white people. Another sign of our racialized culture war comes from this listener:In your episode with Douglas Murray, you mentioned that you had to explain to someone how white people did not invent racism. I serve at the school board in Manhattan and we had the same discussion at our last meeting. The district is pushing a book called “Our Skin” to teach elementary kids how white people invented racism. Money quote:“A long time ago, way before you were born, a group of white people made up an idea called race. They sorted people by skin color and said that white people were better, smarter, prettier, and that they deserve more than everybody else,” the book declares.Here’s how Murray addresses the canard that white people invented racism:On a lighter note, here’s a fan of last week’s episode with Tina Brown:In your conversation about the Queen’s inscrutable nature and unceasing impartiality, you forget one spectacular lapse into utter bias: the 1995 referendum on Quebec sovereignty!Pierre Brassard, a Quebec disc jockey, called Buckingham Palace impersonating the (then) Canadian PM Jean Chretien begging her to support the NO side and, astonishingly, got through to Queen Elizabeth! In the conversation, broadcast live in Montreal, she actually said, “It sounds as though the referendum may go the wrong (!) way...”. She said many other things that were blatantly against Quebec separating and was willing to make a public statement. Here’s the audio (and pardon Elizabeth R’s surprisingly bad French!): While I voted Non and thought the hoax was screamingly hilarious, this referendum was about the self-determination of a nation and she was hardly a glowing example of non-interference and impartiality. Quebec separatists were apoplectic. She wouldn’t even make a clear declaration in favour of the “No” side in the Scottish referendum! Ah, well ... even Captain Kirk broke the prime directive 33 times. Self-determination must be overrated. Here’s Tina on why the best British monarchs tend to be women:Another fan of the episode writes:So I’m a stereotypical NPR-listening, NYT-reading, Anglophilic liberal, happy to watch whatever B-grade pablum PBS airs on Sunday nights, as long as it has a British accent. So of course I fell in love with Downton Abbey. Part of my stereotypical outlook is holding a certain condescension toward the lower-class examples of American culture — you’d never catch me watching a soap opera, for example. But somewhere in the last season of Downton Abbey, it hit me full-on that the show is just a soap opera for snobs. That realization was a nice, bright, uncomfortable look in the mirror. What a hypocrite I am! That said, I can’t wait for the new Downton Abbey movie that opens this week:On the subject of Americans and their relationship with the British monarchy that you and Tina Brown discussed, to me it isn’t very complicated. It’s the embodiment of our cultural heritage, so it represents roots and stability in our land that values change and progress. And the monarchy is sacramental — another quality our society lacks, and which we’ve projected onto the office of the president as compensation. Toggling from listeners to readers, one of the latter writes:I have been thinking a lot about your May 6 column on the SCOTUS leak (“How Dare They!”) and the following week’s large number of reader responses to it. First, I want to say that, although I’m fiercely pro-choice, your column was strongly persuasive and helped me to think about Roe v Wade in a very different way. I love this about the Dish — the way you introduce complexity and nuance to issues that are polarizing and thus typically presented in stark black-and-white terms. But there is one potential detail of your argument that I continue to struggle with. While I accept that, in a liberal society, such issues as abortion should be a matter of debate and resolution via the popular voice, in practice they rarely are — because of the reality of our political system. Because of our two-party system and the primary elections that determine candidacy, most moderate, centrist voters simply do not have a choice to exercise their opinion on a wide variety of issues. They cannot vote individually on issues of substance, in an a la carte fashion. They are forced to accept a homogenous party platform that, in toto, represents the least worst of two extremes. For example, if I am a pro-choice moderate conservative who supports free markets, minimal government regulation, and low taxation, and is concerned about wokeness and CRT, my only choice to cast a vote in support of access to abortion is to vote for a candidate who is antagonistic to these other issues of import to me. You cite statistics in your column indicating broad support among Republicans for a moderate stance on abortion. Yet, I would argue that relatively few of these voters are going to voice that support by voting for a Democratic candidate — especially a far-left candidate — even if this means voting for the far-right opponent. This, then, is interpreted by the GOP as proof that their constituency supports the extreme view held by the majority of the GOP candidates. If we had a center party, I may be more optimistic in sharing your view of things. But as it stands, I feel like our choice is no choice at all.I feel you. But this is unavoidable in a democracy with political parties and winner-takes-all systems. Another reader has a few more laments:I believe anti-abortion-rights activists have not fully considered the consequences of how eliminating legal abortion will impact families. It is almost certain that the rate of child poverty in America will increase if a ban on abortion takes place.  Most of the states which want to ban abortion also have small child-welfare programs. That will result in more children being born into poor economic circumstances.Another thing that will probably happen is an increase in crime. The crime rate in the US has been falling since the early ‘90s, when kids born after Roe first started reaching adulthood. There is a clear link between kids being neglected and unwanted and then turning to crime. This was documented in the book Freakonomics.I believe the pro-choice side will win this debate. But perhaps it will only win when the full, horrifying consequences of banning all abortions — such as in the Oklahoma bill just passed — comes into focus. This next reader goes meta:In your otherwise excellent compilation of reader thoughts about Roe, you had one response I want to quibble with. After quoting one reader, you wrote: “Oh please. This next reader gets specific:” — and then went on with the next quote.I don’t recall what the first reader said, and it doesn’t matter because your response was inappropriate no matter what was said. If you think the reader’s argument has no merit, omit the comment. If you have a rebuttal to the reader’s argument, offer it. Even if you disagree with the reader but lack the time or energy to formulate a proper response, that’s fine too: Just print the comment with no response.What’s not OK, ever, is to reply with just a snarky dismissal and no further comment. That’s rude to the reader, and it makes you look like a dick.That whole big collection of reader dissents was compiled and edited by my colleague, Chris, who does that every week to hold my feet to the fire. I don’t censor the reader criticism he offers — so forgive me the occasional harrumph. Another reader switches topics:I read these two excerpts in your weekly money quotes:“There were also homosexual women at the Pines, but they were, or seemed to be, far fewer in number. Nor, except for a marked tendency to hang out in the company of large and usually ferocious dogs, were they instantly recognizable as the men were,” - Midge Decter, who died the week, on Fire Island in the summer of 1980.“Well, if I were a dyke and a pair of Podhoretzes came waddling toward me on the beach, copies of Leviticus and Freud in hand, I’d get in touch with the nearest Alsatian dealer pronto,” - Gore Vidal, responding to Midge.I had known about Decter’s “The Boys on the Beach” essay for decades, maybe since the late ‘80s, but I had never read it — until a few months ago. I am 66 years old, was practically always out, loved to read all the gay literature, and I have to say, that essay got the pulse of ‘70s gay life and society better than Edmund White (his “States of Desire” was published in 1980 and I still have my copy) or any other commentator I know of, with the exception of Randy Shilts’s “And the Band Played On.”Decter had gay acquaintances, friends, and frenemies, and she saw aspects of gay life with a beady-eyed sharpness and skepticism I wish more of us had had back then. I remember when I officially came out in 1974 at 18, met a couple of good-looking guys in their late 20s/early 30s who, like the vast majority of gay men, talked about sex all the time, with a greater intensity than straight guys I knew. So I asked them how many guys they had been to bed with and they said maybe 500 or 600. Asked them if they were afraid of getting diseases, and they said “no” because they just went to the public health clinic to get a shot. And right there, I sensed that at some point, there would be a gay healthcare catastrophe. I was not the only who had that sense, but it was very censored in the community.I tend to agree about Decter’s accuracy and perception, however laced it was with disgust. It’s a riveting piece — proof that sometimes being alien to a subculture makes you a better observer of it. She and Larry Kramer were essentially on the same page when it came to gay male culture in the 1970s. And yes, the omens were there. And now there’s monkeypox, which seems as if it might have found the same transmission route as HIV. Gulp.Lastly, because we ran out of room this week in the main Dish for the new VFYW contest photo (otherwise the email version would get cut short), here ya go:Where do you think it’s located? Email your guess to contest@andrewsullivan.com. Please put the location — city and/or state first, then country — in the subject line. Proximity counts if no one gets the exact spot. Bonus points for fun facts and stories. The winner gets the choice of a VFYW book or two annual Dish subscriptions. If you are not a subscriber, please indicate that status in your entry and we will give you a free month subscription if we select your entry for the contest results (example here if you’re new to the contest). Happy sleuthing! Get full access to The Weekly Dish at andrewsullivan.substack.com/subscribe

This Forum kicks off an evening of Grace Cathedral's advocacy to End Slavery for Good. Join Presiding Bishop Curry on screen from New York and Bishop Marc live from Grace Cathedral. They discuss the Free at Last Coalition, and how the national movement to change the 13th amendment has gathered a diverse group from across the political spectrum under its banner. Following the Forum, stay for a special contemporary service with Bishop Marc preaching, and SFJAZZ musician Destiny Muhammad, joined by a quartet, hallowing the long struggle for justice. While President Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation, state and legal law still allow for involuntary servitude — slavery by another name — as punishment for a crime. This is enshrined in the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution. Disproportionately applied to Black and Brown people, this “punishment clause” subverts justice, and needs to be removed to free this nation from the institution of slavery.   Following Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus, Grace Cathedral endorsed the movement. Through November 2022, there will be opportunities to learn the issues, frame them in light of Anglican Christian ethics, develop meaningful relationships and advocate with elected officials. An issue of this magnitude invites the active participation of the whole community, and has a place for everyone, including you.  THE VINE: FREE AT LAST Our Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus will preach, reflecting on his Forum conversation with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, ongoing slavery and the demands of justice in our time. This contemporary service features music by Destiny Muhammad and a vocal quartet singing the praises of God and hallowing the long struggle for justice and concludes an evening of Grace Cathedral's advocacy to End Slavery for Good.

Mitch and Caitlyn sit down with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (!!!) to wonder about what it means to be church in these times we find ourselves in, and how to juggle the bishop's stick.

What parts of our faith are worth holding onto? In this episode of The Bible for Normal People Podcast, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joins Pete and Jared to discuss ways to think differently about scripture and the importance of keeping love at the center of your being.Show Notes →Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-bible-for-normal-people/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Check out our conversation with Lenny Duncan, former ELCA pastor and author of Dear Church, a Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US and United States of Grace. In this episode, Lenny shares his interaction with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry about Black Lives Matter, his experiences doing anti-racism and reparations works, and his decision to leave his calling as a pastor, along with many other interesting topics. In his remarks about Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Lenny mentions that the Bishop has never publicly said “Black Lives Matters (BLM).” We found a video from 2015 where he talks about BLM, watch it here. You can follow Lenny on Instagram @lennyduncan and check out his podcast @blackberryjams.

TRINITY CATHEDRALEpiscopal Diocese of ArizonaPhoenix, AZ

The Rev. Katie is the Staff Officer for Church Planting at Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's office. She founded The Abbey, a missional worship community based in a coffee shop in Birmingham, Alabama. There she served many folks on the margins including folks experiencing homelessness, mental illness, addiction and many more. In our conversation, the Rev. Katie and I explore the ups and downs of church planting. She explains the difficult balance of creating sustainable community while also being a business enterprise, how covid is breaking down the Church's idolatry of the Eucharist and how good Church is not fast, easy or cheap! 

Fr. Tim speaks on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre; how is Jesus calling us to live today, knowing what dark things have happened in our history? What do we mean when as our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry talks about the "way of love"?

What's Easter and how does it work in the real world? In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, Primate of the Episcopal Church, about the Triduum. From the suffering of Good Friday, to the silence of Holy Saturday, to Resurrection Sunday, what does it all mean as followers of Jesus and people of a world more divided than ever before? As said best by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, "even at the worst, God is still God". Listen in for the full conversation. This is part 1 of a 2-pay special release. Part-2 will premiere on April 16th. The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry is Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church.  He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as Chair of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.Presiding Bishop Curry was installed as the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on November 1, 2015.  He was elected to a nine-year term and confirmed at the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, UT, on June 27, 2015. 

Jerusalem Greer works for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as the staff officer for Evangelism for the Episcopal Church.  She lives here in Arkansas where she also works their farm, and writes blogs and books.  In this conversation, we're ...

In honor of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jim Wallis and Most Rev. Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, discuss our current political and moral crisis, whose antecedents are even longer than the very history of our country itself. Wallis and Curry share King's vision of a beloved community and a multi-racial democracy, while charting the path to redemption and reconciliation in the wake of the violent insurrection at the U. S. Capitol.

Today we move in to Exodus, with the story of Moses birth (and the events that led up to it). We talk about defying unjust leadership, the power of water, and the courage of women. Links mentioned in this episode: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's sermon on Shiphrah and Puah Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith & Art, by Madeleine L'Engle

A recording of the Sunday Morning Service by the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan with Music by Charles H. Murphy, and readings and reflections by Rev. Canon Lydia Bucklin, Canon Jane Cisluycis, Bishop Rayford Ray, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Dion Williams, Governor's Director of Faith-Based and Urban Affairs and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Today’s reflection comes from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th and current presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church. Follow us on FB, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees. In this season of giving we invite you to make a gift to support the refugee and immigration ministries of The Episcopal Church through the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries.. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at https://abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com

The Rev. Katie is the Staff Officer for Church Planting at Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s office. She founded The Abbey, a missional worship community based in a coffee shop in Birmingham, Alabama. There she served many folks on the margins including folks experiencing homelessness, mental illness, addiction and many more. In our conversation, the Rev. Katie and I explore the ups and downs of church planting. She explains the difficult balance of creating sustainable community while also being a business enterprise, how covid is breaking down the Church’s idolatry of the Eucharist and how good Church is not fast, easy or cheap!

Novenas are ancient public or private prayers that are repeated for nine days or weeks. In this election season, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church has called on everyone to gather and together pray for our nation and the election. The Rev. Jay Sidebotham speaks on the initiative: “In this election season, we carry out an important ministry with our prayers, making the commitment through personal spiritual practice to be present to our nation in this critical time, asking for God’s grace for decisions made, thanking God for the grace that we can participate in this way in our common life, and trusting that grace will help us through. First, we pray. Then we vote.”Please join us at 9PM-9:15PM each evening (Central time) for a Zoom call for us to pray together in English and in Spanish from October 27 through November 4. It is the same Zoom link for all sessions and is here:Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82804283313?pwd=cnFWNitCbm1RUGJLN0drcldNTGo0QT09Each evening we will watch a 1:55 minute video with Bishop Curry and then we will have one person read the daily prayer in English and one in Spanish.We’ll be posting the daily prayers on my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN pages, and please share the Zoom link with all your friends!If you’d like to watch the video with Bishop Curry in advance, it is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_a9835WYp4&feature=youtu.beIt is not necessary to RSVP for the session each evening, just dial in!!!Let us all come together to celebrate our freedom to vote! Blessings, my friendAgatha

In this sermon, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of The Episcopal Church teaches us that love is the way to the kingdom of God.

In this sermon, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of The Episcopal Church teaches us that love is the way to the kingdom of God.

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in conversation with Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California.  As we enter our seventh month of sheltering in place, when community is more precious and urgent than ever, go deeper with the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church into his understanding of the Beloved Community – where the term come from, how he first encountered it, how his understanding of the Beloved Community has changed over time, among other questions – in conversation with Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of the Diocese of California.    

Rev. Jim Wallis speaks with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church about God making a way for healing and love from the painful divisions of the coronavirus and white supremacy in our country."We need our leaders to be motivated by an unselfish sacrificial way of love that truly seeks the good and well-being of the American society," Curry says, "but not just the American society, but the global community."

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry is the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church. He sits down with our host the Reverend Rob Lee to discuss his view of love and how it has the power to save us all. You won't want to miss this.

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry is the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church. He sits down with our host the Reverend Rob Lee to discuss his view of love and how it has the power to save us all. You won't want to miss this.

The heart-rending events we have encountered over the past days, the atrocities we have viewed, and the words we have heard, devastate us. This is a crucible moment in our country. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry reminds us that as followers of Jesus we are to ask ourselves, “What would love do?” Then we are to … Continue reading "Listen: Are You Listening To The Groans?" The post Listen: Are You Listening To The Groans? appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say.

“If there is a God then the human word is not the last word. God is.”What word do you think God wants to say to our world today?//Psalm 31:9-16Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;my eye wastes away from grief,my soul and body also.For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighing;my strength fails because of my misery,and my bones waste away.I am the scorn of all my adversaries,a horror to my neighbors,an object of dread to my acquaintances;those who see me in the street flee from me.I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;I have become like a broken vessel.For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me,as they plot to take my life.But I trust in you, O Lord;I say, “You are my God.”My times are in your hand;deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;save me in your steadfast love.//This episode was written and recorded by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks in this episode are by Podington Bear and Dexter Britain.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.The Most Rev. Michael Curry is the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. This season of Be Still and Go is supported in part by Convergence as they help share each episode with their community. (You should do the same!) Convergence a network that supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion” driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. Visit www.convergenceus.org to find out more.

“If there is a God then the human word is not the last word. God is.”What word do you think God wants to say to our world today?//Psalm 31:9-16Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;my eye wastes away from grief,my soul and body also.For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighing;my strength fails because of my misery,and my bones waste away.I am the scorn of all my adversaries,a horror to my neighbors,an object of dread to my acquaintances;those who see me in the street flee from me.I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;I have become like a broken vessel.For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me,as they plot to take my life.But I trust in you, O Lord;I say, “You are my God.”My times are in your hand;deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;save me in your steadfast love.//This episode was written and recorded by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks in this episode are by Podington Bear and Dexter Britain.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.The Most Rev. Michael Curry is the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. This season of Be Still and Go is supported in part by Convergence as they help share each episode with their community. (You should do the same!) Convergence a network that supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion” driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. Visit www.convergenceus.org to find out more.

As part of a special online broadcast of their Service of Holy Eucharist on the Third Sunday in Lent (March 15, 2020), Presiding Bishop Michael Curry delivered the sermon at Washington National Cathedral, remotely from his home in North Carolina. Links Video Link COVID-19 Information and Resources from The Episcopal Church

In today's episode, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas interviews Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in what was an honest and open conversation between old friends. They talk race in the Episcopal Church, Bishop Curry reflects on his legacy as the first African American to serve as Presiding Bishop in The Episcopal Church, and they respond to the Episcopal Church's decision to exclude the same-sex spouses from attending the Lambeth Conference.

Today’s podcast episode is the edited audio from a recent virtual workshop called Asset-Based Community Development 201: The Story of Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte. Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, birthed through the identification of assets and intentional conversation with the community. Thank you to Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte for sharing their story with us. Support Galilee Ministries here: https://galilee.dionc.org/Donate/donate-to-galilee.html In the podcast, Rebecca and Toni mention Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s 2012 and 2013 addresses to the Diocese of North Carolina, where he was then bishop diocesan. View here: 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1UIAGA1u9I 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5UI9hY0l7A **** Check out EMM’s blog for the latest updates, opportunities, and alerts: Blog: https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog/ Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at https://abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com/ ------------------------------------------------- Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees

Presiding Bishop Curry graduated with high honors from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, and received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School. Throughout his ministry, he has been active in issues of social justice, reconciliation, speaking out on immigration policy and marriage equality. Presiding Bishop Curry maintains a national preaching and teaching ministry, having been featured on The Protestant Hour and as a frequent speaker at churches, cathedrals, and conferences around the country and internationally. He delivered a widely praised sermon at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In 2018, Religion News Association named Presiding Bishop Curry religion newsmaker of the year.

Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers speaks from Galatians and the Gospel of Luke. She currently serves as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation.

As Missional Voices National Gathering approaches, we reach back to the 2018 edition for an inspiring talk from The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

The deep roots of the Christian tradition offer a spiritual path toward deeper relationship with God, neighbor, and self. For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “rule of life.” When we commit to turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest, we are engaging in and growing a rule of life. But what does that really mean? In this episode, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, along with hosts Kyle Oliver and Sandy Milien, teaches us how we can use the Way of Love to train up our spirits, just like athletes train their bodies. In an interview with the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Bishop Curry discusses what that training might look like and how we can continually strive toward spiritual growth and depth—and importantly, how to get back up when we fall down. Next week on the podcast: Pray. For the remainder of Season 1, episodes will drop every Tuesday. Music Credit: Ana Hernandez Links More about the Way of Love Bishop Curry Video about the Way of Love Practices Episode 1 Reflection Guide Nine-Session Way of Love Guide

The Presiding Bishop of Episcopal Church Michael Curry joins the show to discuss the way of love, preaching the Royal Wedding, and race. For more on this month's sponsor, Down to Earth Book, click here.

At the Easter Vigil we are called to go into the world and give God's love to all! In this final sermon in our Way of Love series, The Rev. Andrew Kellner inspires us to go an be love in the world.  The Way of Love series is produced in association with the Episcopal Church and the office of the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Join The Rev. Yejide Peters in a discussion about going into the world as Christians. She is about to move to a new country so knows all about the bravery and courage it takes to Go into the world for God! The Way of Love series is produced in association with the Episcopal Church and the office of the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

This podcast may have you tapping your feet thinking of music! In this 6th series in The Way of Love podcast, we are joined by Paul Vasile of Music that Makes Community to talk about the power of music in worship. The Way of Love series is produced in association with the Episcopal Church and the office of the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

In this powerful sermon, The Rev. Michelle Bullock helps us to see worship as an act of revolution. In this 6th sermon in the Way of Love series, we are invited to see worship as a part of our spiritual path. The Way of Love series is created in partnership with the Episcopal Church and the office of the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

In this busy world, we need the spiritual practice of rest now more than ever. The Rev. Callie Swanlund helps us meditate on rest in this fifth sermon in the Way of Love series in partnership with the Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Today is International Women’s Day, so today we’re going to talk about an upcoming United Nations session focused on women and girls. Our guest is not only an active lay Episcopalian but a leader in a historic and international Episcopal organization serving girls and women.   Lois Frankforter attends Grace & St. Peter’s in Hamden. She is a lawyer at a Connecticut law firm and also a girls varsity lacrosse coach. Lois is a leader in the Girls Friendly Society, GFS, and currently serves as president of the GFS/USA. In addition to serving on the national level, she leads GFS on the local, diocesan, and province levels.   Last spring, Lois attended the meetings of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women, sometimes referred to as UNCSW, as the delegate from Province One, the New England dioceses, for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. The event takes place at the UN headquarters in New York City. This year’s UNCSW is being held March 11-22. The gathering will review the conclusions from a prior year’s session, on women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development, and address this year’s theme, which is “social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.   Charlotte Healy, a youth member of Trinity, Southport, is the Province One delegate this year, and she’s promised to share her experience with us on social media (which we will share on our Instagram @episcopal_ct).    Lois starts our conversations off by telling us a little bit about what the UNCSW is and how this two-week session works. Much like the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, there are delegates and event that are happening specifically for delegates and representations, as well as parallel events happening. People come from around the world to attend this gathering. The Episcopal Church is recognized as a non-government organization, and 20 people at a time are granted access to the session and mingle with ambassadors, delegates, etc., and sit in on the opening ceremony.    Attendees from The Episcopal Church choose topics to follow throughout the two weeks, and try to handout copies of the Presiding Bishop’s statements on various topics. The broad topics of UNCSW highlights how interconnected all topics related to women and girls really is: gender, food insecurity, poverty, environmental concerns, etc.    The work Lois does with UNCSW influences her work with the GFS — always seeking to provide safe space for women and girls to grow. “The mission is global, but the work is local,” was one of the most significant take-aways Lois took from her work with UNCSW.  Lois walks through the application process and what it is like to represent The Episcopal Church at UNCSW. Applications are usually published in September, are chosen in October, and meet regularly on the phone until the gathering in March.  Lois reassures that UNCSW celebrates all the work has done and the progress that has been made in the realm of support for women and girls. The focus is not solely on the work that need to be done. Each gathering, the UNCSW will have a review session on a topic from years past to follow up on what countries, governments, and organizations have done in response to previous years.  Alli asks what it is like for Lois to coach girls lacrosse, a very localized work. Lois says that sports are an incredible way to support women. Coaching, for Lois, is a lot like what she does for the GFS, empowering girls to become good leaders, friends, and well-rounded individuals. Lois reflects on the recent Nike advertisementhighlighting women in sports. Lois states how important that ad is as it shows that with great passion comes great emotion.    Lois mentions that there are many commissions in the United Nations on a variety of topics (indigenous peoples, environmental initiatives, etc.)  throughout the year and the topic of women and girls is interconnected with many of them. Lois says that it is also important to remember boys when talking about women and girls, that one cannot make progress in gender equality without including men and boys in the conversation. There are men at the UNCSW bringing their perspective as they are in the minority at the commission.    Karin asks if Lois’ participation in the GFS and the UNCSW had an impact on her own personal spiritual life. For Lois, GFS is her personal check-in: if one works with young people working on developing their faith, it requires you to work on your own faith. Lois says that her work has taught her that you can bring a faith-based perspective to the work of social justice.    Lois asks all to pray that people come with an open heart and mind, and for guidance for the commission.    Follow the UNCSWonline. 

Sunday Sermon

On this episode, our hosts have a conversation with Bishop Curry about youth ministry and its importance in the church. This episode was recorded onsite at the 112th Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta on November 10, 2018. The song heard at the beginning and end of the Podcast is a cover of Down to the River to Pray by Episcopal Youth Music in ATL. Copyright is public domain.

Four years and now four seasons kicks off with Jeremy Tackett, Digital Evangelist for the Episcopal Church. We discuss working for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, exciting new projects for TEC, and those two scary words "digital" and "evangelism." Bonus interview: Colin asks Ben all about his new Kickstarter for the All Ports Open Network launching October 3.  Here's a preview: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theologian78/1459391558?ref=580706&token=0ccd403a www.allportsopen.com

Kevin and George discuss George's near death week in the hospital and the barrage of hypocrisy from the Anglican Church of Canada. Plus updates on Archbishop Carey's testimony and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry health scare.

This morning, staff from Episcopal Migration Ministries gathered with hundreds of Episcopalians at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, a for-profit facility detaining 512 women, many of whom are seeking asylum in the United States. Forty of the women inside are mothers who were separated from their children at the border. We prayed and we lamented. We are stirred to action and to advocacy. We want to share the experience with you. This podcast episode features audio from the vigil, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s homily. SUPPORT EMM From now through July 13, you can purchase your very own EMM #SupportRefugees t-shirt. All proceeds will go to support EMM's work of welcome. Get your very own at http://bit.ly/EMMtshirt.

36: Hate Sin, Love Sinners....REALLY?  (Serpents and Doves Podcast)  Join hosts Frank Butler and Joshua Wallnofer in a discussion about the common statement, "God Hates The Sin, But Loves The Sinner", part 4 of the Christian Platitudes series. In this discussion, they talk abou the Biblical doctrines of the love of God and the wrath/hatred of God, and discuss the sermon at the royal wedding by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.  Also available on i-Tunes, Facebook, YouTube, and Google Play!#HateTheSin #LoveTheSinner #MichaelCurry #RoyalWedding

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's royal wedding sermon by St. John's Episcopal Cathedral Los Angeles

The Rev. Ranjit K. Mathews: Going Deeper in the Realm of God   Today’s guest is the Rev. Ranjit Mathews, rector of St. James’, New London, where he’s been for about a year now.   Ranjit was born in Brighton, Mass. to immigrant parents who came to the U.S. in the 1970s. He grew up in Sharon, Mass., majored in business administration at George Washington University, and received his M. Div from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. As a seminarian he served at St. Mary’s in Harlem and studied abroad in Bangalore, India. Ranjit was ordained deacon in 2006, and priest in 2007, both in the Diocese of Massachusetts.   His father, the Rev. Koshy Mathews, is also an Episcopal priest, who has been serving as rector of St. Peter’s in Phoenixville, PA for more than a decade. (Ranjit’s middle name is Koshy, after his father.)   Before coming to Connecticut, Ranjit served on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s staff as the Partnership Officer for Africa. Prior to that he was associate rector of St. Luke’s, Long Beach, California a bilingual parish where he worked to build connections between the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking community members, and led the youth group. It’s where he developed a relationship with the hip-hop community that he’s carried with him.    He’s also served as theology lecturer at the Msalato Theological College of St. John’s University in Tanzania, and assistant rector of St. Michael’s in Milton, Mass.     Ranjit and his wife, Johanna, have a young son, Dhruv, who is six. They live in New London.    We began with a conversation about hip hop: He loves the genre so much that he made it part of his Celebration of New Ministry last fall. He talks about his experience in California working with an organization, “Hope in Hollywood,” that brought in young adults from across LA to St. Stephen’s, Hollywood once a week. There was a meal and a DJ, and the youth would dance or rap for hours, while the leaders took the opportunity to build relationships. Some of the youth were able to come to the church during the week, as well, to talk about life, school, and family.    After Ranjit was called to New London he began to meet some of the young adults in the hip hop community in New London. That led to their inclusion in the Celebration of New Ministry. Ranjit rapped, they danced. The grant will allow them to expand that, and go deeper.   Next, we talked to him about the city of New London, known for the submarine base, Electric Boat (that builds submarines), the Coast Guard Academy, Mitchell College, Connecticut College, the Hygenic Art gallery and performance space, and so much more.    He calls it a fabulous city, sharing that a parishioner calls it “juicy.” What he likes in particular are the way it’s all connected, that incongruent communities and people can find congruence in places like its coffee shops and – he hopes – at St. James. The church used to host the city’s homeless hospitality center, which has since moved to its own space. Now it hosts a refugee agency, a group that works with families who are poor, and other works. He hopes to increase the number of groups that meet there. “I’d love for St. James’ to be a convening place for incongruent,” he said, adding that his “single and only focus is on the realm of God however that manifests itself in New London.”    While he says the parish is “popping” now with organizations that are about the work of Jesus Christ, he talks about how he sees the opportunity to build relationships, go deeper, and lean more intentionally into the work.   The conversation then moved to more personal matters. Ranjit, and his wife Johanna, were raised in the Mar Thoma Church (brought to India by the Apostle Thomas). Ranjit’s great grandfather served in that church, and was a renowned healer; his father, Koshy, decided to follow that example. After emigrating to the U.S., Koshy found a connection to The Episcopal Church, was ordained in that tradition, and raised his children in it as well.   Ranjit then shared some of the ways his father encouraged him to think more deeply about his engagement in social justice, his early experience with a more conservative faith group on campus, and, his amazing spiritual lesson learned from two girls with leprosy whom he encountered in a cathedral in India. “She broke me open and taught me about vulnerability; that gives me the passion for the work that I do,” he said.   Our final question was about where he sees God now, and about his family and his thoughts for the future. He acknowledged the need that he and his family have for their own nourishment, and reiterated how much is “popping” in New London. There’s some pushback, he said, and change is hard, yet he believes there’s integrity in walking with that pushback and resistance: “We’re paying attention to where God is leading, and sometimes that’s hard,” he said. But they’re going deeper in the realm of God.  

Jon Meacham’s new book, The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels provides a condensed view of the history of the United States, chronicling the tougher times that we have endured.I enjoy reading history, and at my age, I’ve lived a lot of it! What strikes me in reading Meacham’s book is how our history has been distorted by the story-teller, and even when living through an era, our memories are imperfect.As Jon’s book unfolds, he gives us hope that just as in times past, the right parts of humanity prevail and we are a better society when we band together with simple messages about loving one another and caring for our neighbor. It was the perfect reading material last week to follow Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s inspiring sermon at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!Jon’s well-referenced story dispelled many of the myths that I had previously held:I’ve been to museums that attempt to convince that the Civil War was really all about the financial challenges of a cotton-based economy. Not so fast. Jon cites numerous politicians and authors of the time: it was clearly about slavery and racial injustice. But what I didn’t know is that Abraham Lincoln had changed his position on slavery, first agreeing that no slave owner would have to change in the South, but then eventually turning to an emancipation of all slaves regardless of location.I remember how excited my mother was when JFK was elected. Both my parents were staunch Republicans but also Catholics. My mother said that a Catholic would never be elected to the US Presidency as she carried the stigma of being the daughter of Polish Catholic immigrants.I had forgotten that the Ku Klux Klan wasn’t just against African-Americans. They hated Catholics and Jews, too. How easy it is to block our memories when we encounter sin.I’m left with this quote from Meacham’s book: “There is such a thing as discernible reality. Facts, as John Adams once said, are stubborn things, and yet too many Americans are locked into their particular vision of the world, choosing this view or that perspective based not on its grounding in fact but on whether it’s a view or perspective endorsed by the leaders one follows. “The dictators of the world say that if you tell a lie often enough, why, people will believe it,” Truman wrote. “Well, if you tell the truth often enough, they’ll believe it and go along with you.”May we start telling the truth, not blocking sin from our memory but overcoming it.Blessings, my friend,Agatha

The Royal Wedding happened. And now we recap. (Spoiler: WE LOVED EVERY SECOND.) Here's where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention: - Sofia Wellesley's dress - Kitty Spencer's dress - Victoria Beckham's dress - Amal Clooney's dress - Gina Torres' dress - Doria Ragland's dress - Queen Elizabeth's dress - Camilla's hat - flowers at the chapel - Meghan Markle's wedding day hair - Meghan Markle's wedding day makeup - Teenager Meghan in front of Buckingham Palace - Meghan's wedding dress - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's wedding sermon - The wonder of Meghan's reception dress - Serena Williams' reception dress - Closing Song: The First Dance Song Sponsors: Prep Dish Simple Contacts Canidae

It was a big weekend for me. I had a 10-year anniversary yesterday and of course there was the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday!It was 10 years ago that I joined the Episcopal Church at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville. In 2008, it was Mother’s Day, Pentecost Sunday and the day that the Bishop laid hands on my head to receive me into the Episcopal Church.I’d always been a church goer but had never had the “fire” and conviction until I met the people of St. George’s. It brought the love of Jesus into clear focus that I’d never experienced before.Six weeks ago I attended an Episcopal Revival in Honduras as part of the #JesusMovement. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached on both Saturday and Sunday and knocked it out of the park. I had the pleasure of dinner conversation with him and he is a genuine, warm person whose love of Jesus is sincere and overflows in all dimensions.In preaching at the Royal Wedding on Saturday, Presiding Bishop Curry talked about the love of Jesus and how our love for Him and our neighbors can change the world.Here’s the transcript of his 13 minute sermon, “The Power of Love”: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Sermon at Royal Wedding. Every word was inspiring but the stanza of an old hymn reminded us that we all have a role in spreading the good news:“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole," and one of the stanzas actually explains why. They said:“If you cannot preach like Peter,And you cannot pray like Paul,You just tell the love of Jesus,How he died to save us all.”Oh, that’s the balm in Gilead!This way of love, it is the way of life. I’m going to keep preaching, praying and writing until the world is changed.Will you join me?Blessings,Agatha Nolen

St. George's Gate at the visitor's entrance to Windsor Castle, England One year ago on May 23rd I was at Windsor Castle on a pilgrimage with my church tracing our Anglican roots. The photo is from the St. George’s Gate at the visitor’s entrance into the Castle.Last month on April 7th I attended an Episcopal Revival in Honduras, ¡Avivamiento! where I met and heard Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach for the first time. Here’s a link to the sermon he delivered at the Revival: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/video/most-rev-michael-curry-diocese-honduras-revival.These two events intersect this Saturday morning when Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church (USA) will be delivering the sermon this Saturday at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. It will be at 6AM CDT. I’ll be watching and taping the event.Presiding Bishop Curry issued this statement: "The love that has brought and will bind Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle together has its source and origin in God, and is the key to life and happiness," Curry, the church's presiding bishop, said in a statement. "And so we celebrate and pray for them today."I can’t wait to hear how the #JesusMovement changes lives and blesses those with the key to life and happiness.Blessings, my friendAgatha

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and interpreter Dinorah Padro, April 7, 2018 I just returned from six days in Honduras where I toured a home for girls (Our Little Roses) and two Episcopal bilingual schools in the San Pedro Sula area, and attended an Episcopal Revival, ¡Avivamiento! in Siguatepeque. The revival was a great place of renewal with Hispanic music, great preaching by Bishop Lloyd Allen and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as well as other clergy from the United States and Honduras. At the close of the day, clergy were available to offer healing prayer and the lines were long.The revival is just what I needed: good music, a return to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s healing presence. I came to appreciate the warmth of a Hispanic worship service from my 10 years in San Antonio where we would worship at the San Fernando Cathedral to enjoy a service in both Spanish and English complete with a Mariachi band!Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has embraced “The Jesus Movement” which is described as how we are following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationships with God, with each other, and with the earth.Membership in The Jesus Movement is straightforward: First, we follow Jesus. We are the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, seeking every day to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Just like Jesus. Episcopal Revivals seek to fulfill that age-old purpose, in a uniquely Episcopal way. They aim to:1) proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the language of the people,2) share faith and open space for others’ stories about God,3) organize people to embody good news through reconciling action and justice,4) engage in intensified prayer and preparation before, during and after the “event”,5) gather a diverse body that crosses lines of age, race, culture, and class, and,6) equip and send people to share, celebrate and embody the good news in daily life.Our world can use more good news in our daily lives.¡Vamos! ¡Avivamiento!Blessings, my friend,Agatha

Did you catch Lady Gaga at the Superbowl? Well Lady Gaga caught our guest Sarah Condon at church that morning, and you can catch her on this episode of Priest Pulse talking about her book Churchy. Also, don't miss Colin Chapman's interview with BJ Owens as they discuss his Slate article on preaching in the age of President Donald Trump. And certainly not least, Colin had a chance to question Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry at his pilgrimage and revival in Pittsburgh. Do not miss this incredibly special episode of Priest Pulse. https://www.amazon.com/Churchy-Real-Life-Adventures-Priest/dp/0990792781/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486397079&sr=8-1&keywords=churchy+the+real+life+adventures+of+a+wife+mom+and+priest http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/faithbased/2017/02/an_episcopal_priest_on_writing_his_first_sermon_of_the_trump_presidency.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_fb_bot http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/welcome-jesus-movement-episcopal-church-slates-2017-2018-revivals

In early November, hundreds of clergy came to Cannon Ball, North Dakota, at the invitation of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, to join in the protest against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through reservation land.  I attended that protest, and while there I met Mariama White-Hammond, today’s guest. Today we will talk with two leaders concerned with this controversial pipeline and hear about the issues that come together in it: water quality, the rights of indigenous people, and climate change.  The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has said about the protests at Standing Rock, ““I want to now suggest that Standing Rock may be the new Selma.” Our guests are the Rev. Mariama White-Hammon, and Shantha Ready Alonso of Creation Justice Ministries.  We will also discuss a key part of the witness of the churches at Standing Rock, the public repudiation of the “Doctrine of Discovery.”

The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

The Presiding Bishop at the International Black Clergy Conference 2016, Christ Church Cathedral.