Podcasts about Religious education

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021. Michael A. Goodman has worked for the Church Educational System since 1989 and was the manager of CES College Curriculum before joining the Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine department in 2007. He is a professor of Religious Education and serves as the RSC's Associate Publications Director and the Editor of the Religious Educator journal. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism with Public Relations, a master's degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He is a co-investigator on the Family Foundations of Youth Development longitudinal research project, focused on adolescent and family faith development and mental health outcomes with a special emphasis on suicidality. Michael is married to Tiina Anita Goodman. Links Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library, including the Single Saints Virtual Conference Highlights 1:55 BYU Eternal Families course chair and online curriculum author 4:10 How does BYU teach the doctrine of Eternal Families? Courses based on doctrine with some social science mixed in Eternal principles and daily principles taught (money, sexuality etc) 5:50 We don't have to convince BYU students that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values families, but they don't often know why. 8:30 D&C 131 and 132: The Degrees of Glory and importance of eternal families 10:40 The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Quotes document. 11:40 President Oaks Quote: “Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our greatest aspiration is to be like them.” “The purpose of mortal like and the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to prepare the sons and daughters of God for their eternal destiny- to become like our Heavenly Parents.” 13:35 Divine Identity and Divine Destiny… as children of God 15:45 Mother in Heaven: foundational doctrine 16:35 When speaking to single adults after the foundation has been laid, what do you say next? …Well someday?!? NO! Acknowledge their pain and the issues they face. 17:45 Neil L. Anderson quote: “We will continue to teach the Lord's pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity among those in the church we need to be more thoughtful and sensitive. Our church culture and vernacular are sometimes quite unique. The Primary children are not going to stop singing 'Families can be Together Forever' but when they sing 'I'm so happy when Daddy comes home' or 'With father and mother leading the way…', not all children will be singing about their family.” 20:50 What do we need to know now, to feel joy now? Four overarching principles: No one denied any promised blessing because of something outside of their control YOU are included in the plan of salvation, and because of that inclusion there is hope. Heavenly Father will not abrogate agency. God loves us with a perfect love and will do anything in his power to exalt us. Through the grace of Christ, Heavenly Father can provide solutions to those things outside our control (24:51) 26:04 Quote President Kimball: “We promise you that in as far as eternity is concerned, NO soul will be deprived of rich and high and eternal blessings for anything which they could not help. That the Lord never fails in his promises. Every righteous person will eventually receive ALL to which they are entitled and have not forfeited through any fault of their own.” 28:15 Stay covenant-connected. 28:30 Quote President Nelson: Through no failing of their own “they” deal with the trails of life alone. May we all be reminded that in the Lord's own way and time no blessing will be withheld from his faithful saints. The Lords will judge and reward each individual according to their heartfelt desires as well as deeds.”

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020. John Bytheway has a master's degree in Religious Education and is a popular speaker, author of more than two dozen books and CDs, and the co-host of the world-renowned Follow Him podcast with Hank Smith. He has taught the Book of Mormon at Brigham Young University and at the BYU Salt Lake Center. John served as bishop of the Salt Lake Winder 10th Ward, and currently serves as a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council. Links By John Bytheway Our Turtle House is now LatterDaily Meg Johnson's story: "Falling Up" Six Events: The Restoration Model for Solving Life's Problems The Divine Center Follow Him Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights 4:00 John's background as a teacher and speaker 5:45 Writing books and how that happens for him 8:00 How his calling as a bishop came about 9:20 Serving as a bishop is different for every person and area; he had people asking for welfare support before he ever sat in the bishop's chair 10:40 For bishops with significant welfare challenges in their ward First ask what they need and listen Make a three-column chart of what the ward can do, what the Lord can do, and what the individual can do to help them—handing back the problem to the individual so you can work on it together instead of taking it from them Helps eliminate the transactional mentality and replace it with mentoring Help them get their spiritual act together first 16:20 Emphasis to push more things (such as welfare needs) to the ward council; called a “welfare coordinator” couple to help handle welfare requests before bringing it to the bishop 18:10 Moving people closer to financial self-sufficiency and self-reliance Learning experiences as a missionary in the Philippines and seeing similar development in the welfare program 21:15 Ended meetings with his counselors at a specific time, no matter what 22:30 “It takes a really good meeting to be better than no meeting at all”: Virtual ward council held via text messages throughout the week to eliminate much of the administrative points so they could really focus on individuals in the ward council meeting 24:20 Losing the joy in the calling, and how talking with others who have struggled helped Experience speaking with Robert L. Millet and having “same boat therapy” Recognizing that there are difficulties in the calling but moments that made it worth it Fisher missions vs hunter missions: some fantastic stories from great moments, but difficult days, weeks, and months between 31:30 Calling ward members each evening on their birthday was a simple, routine thing that became important for connecting 34:30 Working with youth: firesides are different than teaching a class Taught Sunday School with his wife after serving as bishop, and went back to the simple idea that you have to care for them first Put people in place with the youth who are great examples; youth learn by example, not principles 37:10 Kids will listen differently to a speaker at a fireside because they don't think that the speaker was influenced by what their parents or leaders are saying (“An expert is anybody from out of town”) 39:30 Stephen Covey: the order of the events in the restoration is a formula for solving life's problems. Start with identity and relationships. “If we want to help our children or other people change their behavior, we begin by improving the quality of our relationships with them, and we introduce new ideas before we introduce new expectations and controls. In other words, we help them see the world differently. When a person's paradigm changes, everything else changes with it.” 44:25 His book about Moroni: Moroni didn't get to how to run the Church until Moroni chapter 6 46:00 Working with Meg Johnson and Hank Smith Image: magazine.byu.edu The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top ...

"Our church community is full of opportunities to work together to make things happen. It is a place with wonderful role models, who forge paths and inspire us. And it is a place to grow roots, that we may thrive, as best we can, in this broken world. In her last service as Director of Religious Education, join Carol Burrus as she leads worship, weaving a story of 40 years at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston."

Over 3,200 students in Clare will commence State exams today. English will be the first exam today for the 1,731 Clare students doing their Junior Cert, with Religious Education to follow this afternoon. A total of 1,412 students here will begin the Leaving Cert with English paper 1 while the exam timetable for Clare's 103 Leaving Cert Applied students also gets underway today. Guidance Counsellor at St Joseph's Secondary School in Tulla, Olivia O'Connor, says students should "trust in their preparation" while acknowledging exams don't define them.

Is science fundamentally in opposition to religion, or do they just have little to do with each other? Is the way you engage with science and religion in your life informed by your core beliefs, or are your core beliefs informed by them? Do you think it's scientists or religious experts, or both, or neither, that are best equipped to help humans explore the meaning of life?   People might find these questions to be provocative or controversial. But our guest in today's episode, science educator and researcher Dr. Berry Billingsley, was raised in a family culture of curiosity, so she's been asking these sorts of really big questions all her life.   Now a professor in Education at the University of Swansea and the former Director of the Learning about Science and Religion Centre at Canterbury Christ Church University, Dr. Billingsley, as devoted as she has been to young people's science education  throughout her career as a researcher, has built a body of work critiquing the way science is traditionally taught and breaking down the siloes between religious education and science education classes.   Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to Stories of Impact wherever you listen to podcasts Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube Share your comments, questions and suggestions at info@storiesofimpact.org Supported by Templeton World Charity Foundation

Featuring COA Youth & Mentors, with Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education Worship service given June 1, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 At First Parish, we honor the passage from childhood towards adulthood through our Coming of Age program. Our service will include Credo (“I Believe”) statements from the Coming of Age class as well as a blessing of the senior youth and a farewell to our Youth Program Coordinator Rose Sawyer-Marsh. And as another cohort passes through the “Arch of Love,” we celebrate all the people who have contributed to our multigenerational community. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June 2025, The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (BAGLY) will share half of the plate. For nearly 50 years, BAGLY has been a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization, committed to social justice and creating, sustaining, and advocating for programs, policies, and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community in Massachusetts. After serving over 200,000+ youth since 1980, BAGLY is recognized nationally for its pioneering role in creating, sustaining, and advocating for social support, leadership development, and health promotion programs for LGBTQ+ youth. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

In this captivating episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface and Joe Rockey delve into the rich legacy and influence of Pope Leo, addressing his historical significance and the impact of his choices on the modern Church. As a follow-up to their ongoing conversation about papal influence, the discussion takes an enlightening turn with a vivid recounting of the emergence of popes throughout history, highlighted by pivotal actions and teachings that have shaped Catholicism today.Father Boniface takes us on a journey beginning with Pope Leo the Great, a resilient figure who faced external threats, and further explores the legacy of Leo XIII who navigated the challenges of the Industrial Revolution. The episode captures the essence of how these past leaders grounded their papacies on the core tenets of faith, dignity, social justice, and church doctrine.The most recent Pope Leo XIV's initiatives are cited as responses to contemporary challenges, including the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and social dynamics. Father Boniface explains that even as new social issues arise, the papal mission draws from historical role models, employing compassion and justice to address modern-day societal complexities.Listeners are invited to reflect on the significance of the Pope's inaugural Mass and what it might foreshadow about his papacy. The conversation delves into the selection of papal names, focusing on how these choices reveal a Pope's theological and pastoral priorities. By examining these historical narratives and their continued relevance today, Father Boniface provides illuminating insights into the papacy's guiding principles for navigating times of change.The podcast encapsulates an engaging analysis of how modern leaders can embody and extend the teachings of past authorities. Through this thoughtful narrative, "Father and Joe" reinforces a profound message about the continuity of faith and the persistent drive towards maintaining human dignity and social justice in every epoch.Tags:Pope Leo, Catholic Church, Faith Journey, Spiritual Direction, Papal History, Father Boniface, Joe Rockey, Papal Inauguration, Church and Society, Social Justice, AI and Faith, Catholic Doctrine, Vatican II, Religious Education, Spiritual Growth, Historical Reflection, Papal Tradition, Modern Catholicism, Inauguration Mass, Church Teachings, Religious Podcast, Pope Francis, Social Encyclicals, John Paul II, Church Doctrine, Catholic Leaders, Devotion, Papal Insights, Human Dignity, Church and AI, Spirituality, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Vatican Traditions, Pope's Role, Church Unity, Encyclical Significance, Religious Narratives, Papacy Symbols, Modern Challenges.Hashtags:#PopeLeo #CatholicChurch #FaithJourney #SpiritualDirection #PapalHistory #FatherBoniface #JoeRockey #PapalInauguration #ChurchAndSociety #SocialJustice #AIAndFaith #CatholicDoctrine #VaticanII #ReligiousEducation #SpiritualGrowth #HistoricalReflection #PapalTradition #ModernCatholicism #InaugurationMass #ChurchTeachings #ReligiousPodcast #PopeFrancis #SocialEncyclicals #JohnPaulII #ChurchDoctrine #CatholicLeaders #Devotion #PapalInsights #HumanDignity #ChurchAndAI #Spirituality #Solidarity #Subsidiarity #VaticanTraditions #PopesRole #ChurchUnity #EncyclicalSignificance #ReligiousNarratives #PapacySymbols #ModernChallenges

மார்க்க கல்வி தேடலில் நமது ஆர்வம்மவ்லவி அப்துல் அஸீஸ் முர்ஸி | Abdul Azeez Mursi25-05-2025

Highlights from Talkback. William Crawley and guests discuss the news headlines.

Rev. Jory Agate, Guest Minister, preaching Worship service given May 11, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister Included in the recording: Hymn 131 from "Singing the Living Tradition" - "Love Will Guide Us" https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 As ministers, we are called to love our congregants with the fierce, unconditional love of a mother for her child. This is a sacred and holy gift. On this Mother's Day, as Lead Minister Rev. Marta Flanagan's sixteen years of ministry among us draws to a close, Rev. Jory Agate invites us to imagine: what if each of us answered the call to love? Could we learn to love not just one another, but also the world beyond these walls — even those with whom we disagree? What might happen if we chose to face the world with the power of revolutionary love? Jory Agate has been a Unitarian Universalist minister for over 35 years having served both in congregations and in denominational leadership. She served as the Minister of Religious Education at the First Parish in Cambridge, MA for 10 years and 10 years at the Unitarian Universalist Association, first as the Youth Programs Director and later has the Ministerial Development Director. Rev. Agate helped develop the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program and served on the Ministerial Fellowship Committee for 9 years, which is where she met Marta. Rev. Agate also holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and currently lives and works in Cambridge as a psychotherapist in private practice and a trainer for the Internal Family Systems Institute. Rev. Agate and her wife were members of this congregation when her now grown children were young. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For May 2025, Massachusetts Bail Fund will share half of the plate. Massachusetts Bail Fund (MBF) pays bail to secure freedom from pre-trial incarceration so that those who cannot afford their bail can be in their community to fight their case. Pre-trial freedom allows individuals, families, and communities to stay productive, together, and stable. Massachusetts jails are filled with people awaiting trial simply because they cannot afford bail. Sitting in jail on bail leads to longer incarceration times, lost jobs, lost housing, and devastating disruption to families. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Ed holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Church Ministries from Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, Florida, a Master's in Religious Education from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, a Master's in Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Pulpit Communication from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. He is also the author of several books, aimed at equipping and challenging readers to look more like Jesus.https://ednewton.com/BACKGROUND BEST AND WORST PART OF CHILDHOOD PERCEPTION OF GOD AS TEENAGER? WHEN AND WHY FAITH OWNERSHIP? WHAT CAREER IF NOT MINISTRY? MOMENT YOU KNEW CALLED TO PASTOR CHURCH? BURDEN YOU CARRY FOR MEN TODAY? WHAT DO YOU WISH SOMEONE WOULDVE TOLD YOU ABOUT VOCATIONAL MINISTRY CAUTION TO YOUNG PASTORS?CULTURE CHURCH DOWNSTREAM FROM CULTURE : HOW TO SHIFT? TEACHING POLARIZING TOPICS FROM PULPIT MOST DIVISIVE ISSUE TODAY? PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LITTLE C CHURCH?? IMPACT AND IMAGE LAST 5 YEARS IN AMERICA? MOST CONCERNS YOU MOST ENCOURAGED BYBUILDING LEADERS MEN: 1 COR 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” WHAT DOES CBC DO TO ATTRACT AND BUILD MEN? DISCIPLESHIP | KEY TO TRAINING UP LEADERS 2 TIM 2:2 WHAT IS A BARRIER TO BOLDNESS IN LEADERSHIP? WHAT IS A RISK WORTH TAKING IN SPIRITUAL LIFE?BOOK: WHY NOT YOU?RELEASE NOV 2025 WHY NOW AND WHY YOU? WHAT WILL RESONATE MOST? PERSONAL WHERE THIS MOST APPLIED IN LIFE? WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE LIES ABOUT THEMSELVES MORE THAN GOD'S WORD ABOUT THEM?

Justin Dyer is a Professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. He received his Ph.D. in human and community development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Auburn University. He teaches classes on... The post Personal Scripture Study for the Win – 913 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

How is the salvation of my family and my finances interrelated? How can financial choices jeopardize or facilitate the family's journey to heaven?The series of messages, ⁠"Anchored in Christ: a Family that Stands," ⁠was presented to members of the West Asia Field, headquartered in Istambul, Turkey, on March 4, 2026. Related themes: Children, Parents, Children's Education, Religious Education, and Finances.More resources are available on my channels:Spotify (Primum Deus): ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4d8wvbfIYXNOHW1JEfoBU1⁠YouTube (English and Spanish): https://⁠www.youtube.com/c/MarcosFaiockBomfim⁠Most of the books mentioned in this presentation, ⁠"Child Guidance,"⁠ ⁠"The Adventist Home," ⁠⁠"Education,"⁠ ⁠"Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,"⁠ ⁠"Fundamentals on Christian Education"⁠, "Counsels on Stewardship," and others may be ⁠found here⁠: https://whiteestate.org/books/egw-books/books/.My notes:Abraham and LotTwo stories: two destiniesHow is the salvation of my family and my finances interrelated?Gen 12 - God's call to Abraham. He departs with all his possessions (v. 5)Gen 13 - Abraham was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold (v. 2).v. 4 - He built altars wherever he went (an indication of his priorities).A STRIFE startsAbraham's proposal - very unselfish.Lot's choice - the plain of Jordan, well-wateredv. 13 - Abraham pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.v. 13 - Sodom people were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.v. 14 - God's promise to Abraham: Lift your eyes…Gen 14 - 4 kings agains 5Lot goes captiveAbraham comes to rescue himMoving fast forward:Gen 17 - God repeats the covenant. God promises to multiply descendants and possessions.Gen 19 - God decides to destroy Sodom They should not look backSodom's destruction, and Lot loses everything.Some general financial principles:Matt. 6:33 - God firstSequence is essential:  (1)work, (2)receive, (3)give, (4)save, (5)invest, (6)spend.WORKPsalm 128 - RECEIVEGIVE - why? To develop trust in the Lord, not love for money.SAVE - Prov 21:20 - 20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.Proverbs 6:6-11 - Develop contentment. Debt is frequently the result of discontentment with having only what is possible. They get into debt to have what they cannot afford. (Josanan). Phill 4:11-12.Hebrews 13:5 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”Live on what belongs to you - do not borrowProverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.”Pay what you owe - Rom 13:8 - 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.Psalm 37:21 – “The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.”Only use money that is already in your bank account. Do not count on resources you have not yet received. Adopt a simple lifestyle - no ostentation. Phil 4:12 - 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how o [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Gather the crumbles. See John 6:12

Thanks to a new law, schools across the state are now required to allow off-campus religious instruction during elective courses. Those courses are currently operational or in the final stages of development in at least six Oklahoma schools.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags

On March 12, 2025, Church educator and BYU professor Jared Halverson released an Instagram short where he stated: “One of the statistics that has worried me the most of late, comes from a survey that was done in 2023 and it's suggesting that for the first time that I can think of, more women are leaving religion than men are.” Is this true? Why are more women leaving Mormonism than men are? Join us today as we gather with Katie Rich (author of Fifty Years of Exponent II), Amy McPhie Allebest (of the Breaking Down Patriarchy YouTube channel), and Abby Maxwell Hansen (who was threatened with excommunication for her profile on Ordain Women in 2013 and an Exponent II blogger since 2019), as well as writer and columnist Jana Riess to discuss this growing phenomenon.Jared Halverson is an associate professor of Ancient Scriptures and served for over 20 years in the Church Education System. Halverson earned his BA in History and MA in Religious Education. He has been a featured speaker in devotionals as well as in academic settings. He is the host of the YouTube channel and podcast titled “Unshaken.”You can view Jared Halverson's original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TevsIrw1nqsShow Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/why-are-women-leaving-the-mormon-church/

Have you ever thought about how discipleship is like a school, a training table, or even an operating system? Probably not—but I love a good metaphor (maybe too much!). In this episode, I share four powerful ways to think about building a clear path of discipleship as well as the importance of creating a communal context where people can grow, mature, and ultimately be sent out as missionary disciples. If you're looking for a fresh way to approach ministry—or just love a good analogy—this episode is for you. Give it a listen and let me know: What's your favorite metaphor for discipleship? I'd love to hear your thoughts! [01:18] Defining a Clear Path of Discipleship [03:24] Metaphor 1: Discipleship as a School [05:08] Metaphor 2: Discipleship as an Athlete's Training Table [06:49] Metaphor 3: Discipleship as a Trellis [08:11] Metaphor 4: Discipleship as an Operating System [09:59] Closing Thoughts and Prayer Don't forget to check out the clear path book (https://clearpathbook.com/)! For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

How do you seek and keep true love in a relationship?The series of messages, ⁠"Anchored in Christ: a Family that Stands," ⁠was presented to members of the West Asia Field, headquartered in Istambul, Turkey, on March 4, 2026. Related themes: Children, Parents, Children's Education, Religious Education.More is available on my channels:Spotify (Primum Deus): https://open.spotify.com/show/4d8wvbfIYXNOHW1JEfoBU1YouTube (English and Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/c/MarcosFaiockBomfimMost of the books mentioned in this presentation, ⁠"Child Guidance,"⁠ ⁠"The Adventist Home," ⁠⁠"Mind, Character and Personality (vol. 1),"⁠ ⁠"Mind, Character and Personality (vol 2)"⁠ and ⁠"Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce"⁠, and others may be ⁠found here⁠: https://whiteestate.org/books/egw-books/books/.My notes:Gen 2:24 -Eph 5:22-23 - What is love? (It is not a definition but a description).1 Cor. 13 - How can I know if I am in Christ and belong to Him?1 John 3:14-15 - John 13:34-35 - How should we react when we are not treated well?We should imitate Jesus. What did He do?REJECTED John 1:10-11  Isaiah 53:3-7, 11-12 Philippians 2:5-11 I Peter 2:19-25 - Rom 12:14-21 - ”Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“Luke 6:27-36 - ”“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.“How do I react to provocations (real or imagined ones)Eph 6:12 - 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.2 For 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,Seeking first the glory of God, not our own gloryCrown of thorns x crown of gloryJohn 13:34, 35; 1:11; Phil 2:5-11; 

How to make our children citizens of Heaven?The series of messages, "Anchored in Christ: a Family that Stands," was presented to members of the West Asia Field, headquartered in Istambul, Turkey, on March 4, 2026. Related themes: Children, Parents, Children's Education, Religious Education.Most of the books mentioned in this presentation ("Child Guidance," "The Adventist Home," "Education," "Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students," and "Fundamentals on Christian Education"), and others may be found here: https://whiteestate.org/books/egw-books/books/.My notes:Two worldviews about raising children:How can we make them relevant and successful people in this life? How to help them inherit eternal lifeGod's vision for parenting:AbrahamGen 17:6-9 - Gen 18:17-19 - NOT:Exo 12:26-27 - Deut 4:9-10 - Deut 6:4-9 - Deut 11:18-28 - Psalm 78:5-7 -Prov 22:6 - Eph. 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.Some ways to provoke children to wrath:Always commanding as the first option instead of askingUsing physical strength to promote obedienceExpecting bad things and making evil prophecies about children (self-fulfilling prophecies)Disciplining them for breaking rules that were not knownPreferring a child among the others (remember Jacob, Joseph, and the other children).Heb 12:5-11 - 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:“My son, do not despise the [a]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [c]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.Guidance about discipline in Proverbs:1. Proverbs 13:24He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. 2. Proverbs 19:18Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction. (About how parents can avoid destroying their children, see Eph 4:22-32) 3. Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 4. Proverbs 22:15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. 5. Proverbs 23:13-14Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell. 6. Proverbs 29:15The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. 7. Proverbs 29:17Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.Important points for religious education:To promote obedience - this behavior toward earthly parents will be transferred to the Heavenly Father. Family worshipPersonal communion Sabbath keepingPresence in the churchCheck outside influencesGuide them in choosing friendshipsEntertainment: music, watching, Guide them while choosing their life partner - prevent them from unequal yokeGuide them to honor God in their financial lifeTo have savingsTo put God firstSuggested literature may be found here:"Child Guidance,"⁠ ⁠"The Adventist Home," ⁠⁠"Education,"⁠ ⁠"Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,"⁠ and ⁠"Fundamentals on Christian Education"⁠

Kyle Worley is joined by Leslie Umstattd and Christy Allen to discuss how to care for women in the local church.Questions Covered in This Episode:Why are you passionate about caring for women in the church?What are two key practices for women to grow in their ability to care for women in their local church??Guest Bio:Leslie Umstattd serves as Associate Professor of Christian Education & Ministry to Women and Faculty Co-Coordinator, Ministry to Women Programs at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She holds an Ed.D. from Midwestern Seminary, Masters of Marriage and Family Counseling and Religious Education from Southwestern Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Alabama. Christy Allen serves as Assistant Professor of Ministry to Women, and Faculty Co-Coordinator, Ministry to Women Programs at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Professor Allen holds a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary with a concentration in Bible Exposition and Christian Education, a Master's in Christian Education from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Jacksonville University. She is currently working on a PhD in Applied Theology at MBTS. Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchMidwestern Seminary is excited to announce FTC Talks, exclusive conversations with MBTS faculty about ministry related topics. Completely online and FREE, you can sign up for any and all FTC Talks today at mbts.edu/ftctalks to reserve your spot. Join us for talks about women's discipleship, God's heart for the nations, gospel-driven ministry, Spurgeon's pastoral ministry, and how every Christian is a counselor. We hope these conversations will spur you on in your service to the local church and help you connect with even more ministry leaders and friends across the country. Sign up today at mbts.edu/ftctalks.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page. Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

In 1916, the National Institution for Moral Instruction had a contest to see who could come up with the best morality code. For kids. Evolving views on childhood, child labor laws, patriotism, and eugenics influenced this effort. Research: “$5000 Prize Winners Announced Oct. 1” Dean Bennion in Race.” Daily Utah Chronicle. April 23, 1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/289878324/?match=1&terms=%22Morality%20Code%22%20winner “93 Virtues Make the Perfect Man.” Tulsa World. Dec. 22, 1919. https://www.newspapers.com/image/884436330/?match=1&terms=Iowa%20%22character%20education%22%20 Brimi, Hunter. “Academic Instructors or Moral Guides? Moral Education in America and the Teacher’s Dilemma.” The Clearing House, vol. 82, no. 3, 2009, pp. 125–30. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30181093 Character Education Inquiry. “Studies in the nature of Character.” New York. Macmillan. 1928. https://archive.org/details/studiesinnatureo0001char/page/n7/mode/2up “Character Education Methos Research.” Atlanta Constitution. Sept. 30, 1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/26907400/?match=1&terms=%22Morality%20Code%20Competition%22 “The Children’s Morality Code.” Virginia Teacher. March 1924. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2194&context=va-teacher “College Professors and Others in All States Take Part in Contest to Decide Best Method of Character Building in the Growing Generation.” Washington Post. March 4, 1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/28849374/?match=1&terms=%22Morality%20Code%20Competition%22 Davis, Emily C. “Why Children Lie.” Springfield Daily Republican. May 20, 1928. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1062989775/?match=1&terms=%22Character%20Education%20Inquiry%22 “Dean Competes in $5000 Contest.” Daily Utah Chronicle. Nov. 23, 1916. https://www.newspapers.com/image/289875150/?match=1&terms=%22National%20Morality%20Codes%20Competition%22 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF EDUCATION. “Character Education.” REPORT OF THECOMMITTEE ON CHARACTER EDUCATION OFTHE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. Washington Government Printing Office. 1926. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED541955.pdf “Educational Body Offers Big Prize.” New Britain herald. April 4, 1922. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1922-04-04/ed-1/seq-12/ “Efficiency Methods Applied to Task of Codifying Ethics.” Times Herald. Jan. 27, 1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/79883841/?match=1&terms=%22Morality%20Code%20Competition%22 “Educating Body Offers Big Prize.” New Britain Herald. April 04, 1922. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1922-04-04/ed-1/seq-12/ Fairchild, Stephen G. “Character education in the United States.” University of Georgia, PhD Dissertation. Mary Frances Early College of Education. 2006. https://esploro.libs.uga.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Character-education-in-the-United-States/9949334479002959 Hartshorne, H., & May, M. A. (1930). A Summary of the Work of the Character Education Inquiry. Religious Education, 25(7), 607–619. https://doi.org/10.1080/0034408300250702 Hutchins, William J. “The 5,000 Prize Code of Morals for Children.” The Mahoning Dispatch. September 13, 1918. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84028473/1918-09-13/ed-1/seq-4/ Jackson, Allison. “THE CHARACTER EDUCATION WORK OF MILTON FAIRCHILD: A PRISM FOR EXPLORING THE DEBATE BETWEEN LIBERAL PROGRESSIVES AND CONSERVATIVE PROGRESSIVES IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY.” Notre Dame of Maryland University. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/character-education-work-milton-fairchild-prism/docview/2125417636/se-2 “Keating-Owen Child Labor Act (1916).” National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/keating-owen-child-labor-act “New Statement of Old Principles.” Democrat and Chronicle. April 4, 1916. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135312787/?match=1&terms=%22Morality%20Code%20Competition%22 “The plans of the Interstate Character Education Method … “ Kansas Teacher. April 1, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/390015780/?match=1&terms=%22Character%20education%20methods%22 “VERIFIED AND REVISED CHILDREN’S MORALITY CODE.” The Journal of Education, vol. 100, no. 5 (2491), 1924, pp. 130–32. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42750282 “What a Child Should Do in a Moral Emergency.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 21, 1916. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045389/1916-05-21/ed-1/seq-49/ Yarrow, Andrew L. “History of U.S. Children’s Policy, 1900-Present.” First Focus. April 2009. https://firstfocus.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Childrens-Policy-History.pdf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education, preaching Worship service given March 9, 2025 Time for All Ages performed by Rev. Tricia Brennan, Adjunct Minister, and Sanjay Newton, First Parish Member Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Traditions, says the late poet John O'Donohue, are the memory of a community. Yet, ‘we've always done it this way,' can sometimes be grounding, and sometimes constricting. Join Rev. Stevie Carmody, as he dons his religious studies glasses, to explore how tradition forms and transforms communities, including First Parish Arlington. Offering and Giving First For March 2025, the Giving First recipient is the Resilient Sisterhood Project. Cambridge-based Resilient Sisterhood Project's mission is to educate and empower women of African descent regarding common, yet rarely discussed, diseases of the reproductive system that disproportionately affect them. They approach these diseases and associated issues through a cultural and social justice lens since they understand that poor knowledge of reproductive health is primarily related to health, racial, and socioeconomic disparities. RSP brings an expansive definition to and understanding of the word “women” to include transgender women, cisgender women, gender queer, and gender non-conforming people who have a female reproductive system. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is doing amazing things when it comes to the Missionary Childhood Association.  We talk to Magdalena Arellano about the Religious Education Conference and the amazing resources the have created in the Archdiocese to help DRE's, parents and anyone who loves a young person!Check out the Archdiocese of LA's resources here: https://missionsla.org/mcamaterialslessonplansClick here to learn more about supporting the Pontifical Missions Societies:https://pontificalmissions.orgFollow us on socials!https://x.com/tpms_usahttps://www.instagram.com/tpms_us/

What's the real purpose of Lent? Many Catholics see it as a season of sacrifice, but is there more to it? Judy Comeaux sits down with Kevin Kapchinski, Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, TX, to unpack the deeper meaning of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Discover how Lent is not just about giving things up, but about reorienting our hearts toward God. Plus, they discuss Lenten traditions, the power of fasting, and why so many Catholics flock to church on Ash Wednesday.   #Lent #CatholicFaith #AshWednesday #Fasting #Prayer   Visit redcradio.org or download our RED-C Radio App to access our live radio, listen to all of our podcasts, and find additional information and resources related to our Catholic faith. And if you want to support The RED-C Apostolate and all that we do, please consider making a recurring or one-time donation (https://redcradio.org/donate). You can also subscribe to our email list at https://redcradio.org/subscribe. May God bless you and all your loved ones!

In this conversation, Will Wright and Jason Simon explore the themes of friendship, discipleship, and evangelization within the context of the Catholic faith. Jason shares insights from his experience as president of the Evangelical Catholic, emphasizing the importance of lay apostolate and the role of deep, intentional friendships in leading others to Christ. They discuss the urgency of building these relationships, the concept of disruptive friendships, and the balance between urgency and patience in accompanying others on their faith journey. The conversation culminates in a call to action for listeners to cultivate meaningful friendships that reflect their faith.Learn more about The Evangelical Catholic here:https://evangelicalcatholic.org/Jason Simon is the President of The Evangelical Catholic (EC). After working briefly in engineering, he began working in the Church as a parish Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Through this work, he saw the power of evangelization in the Church and his passion to see more lives impacted by the Holy Spirit. In 2007, he graduated from the M.Div. Theology Program at the University of Notre Dame and then began leading the EC. Under his leadership, the Evangelical Catholic has experienced consistent expansion by equipping local Catholic leaders to not only be disciples, but disciple-makers. Jason and the EC's staff built Reach More™ and Nextstep to equip Catholic lay leaders to fulfill the Great Commission. He lives in Madison, WI with his wife and six children.Whether we know it or not, we all have family members or friends who are fighting hidden battles of doubt, alienation, isolation, guilt, compulsions, grief, or hopelessness. But often we don't know exactly how to offer the Good News of Jesus to them in these struggles—at least not beyond offering our “thoughts and prayers.” Mission-Ready Friendship is a roadmap for how to truly befriend your friends, not by solving their problems for them but by going deeper to become the friend Jesus created you to be.Jason J. Simon grew up in a faithful home but wandered into darkness through his high school and college years. For years, he struggled with shame and despair until Chip, a guy he met while eating donuts after Mass, noticed that darkness and disrupted it by being an intentional, thoughtful friend. This relationship changed Simon's life and eventually inspired him to lead the Evangelical Catholic, a national organization dedicated to helping people discover how God is already at work in the lives of our innermost circle.This book spells out simple and incremental practices any Catholic can use to develop deeper, more purposeful friendships. You will learn how to* become more invested, curious, and empathetic toward others;* pray for the people God has placed in your life;* be ready for the ways God is prompting you to build deeper friendships; and* bring intentionality to your relationships to accompany them closer to God.Jesus himself used these practices with his followers and sent each of them to use mission-ready friendship to share his good news with others. It's a simple but powerful approach to relationships that promises to change lives, including your own.Buy it today! - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/mission-ready-friendshipThanks for listening to Good Distinctions! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gooddistinctions.com

When betrayal happens in a marriage, the emotional impact on a betrayed partner is overwhelming. But what about the children? How can a mother (or father) navigate their own healing while still being present for their children?In this powerful episode, we're joined by Dr. Jenet Erickson, an expert in family relationships and maternal mental health. She shares research-backed insights into the connection between mothers and children, how emotional regulation plays a role in both healing and parenting, and why you don't have to be a perfect parent for your child to thrive.If you've ever felt guilt or fear about how your trauma is affecting your kids, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and practical ways to show up for your children while also taking care of yourself.What You'll Learn in This Episode:⏳ [04:00] – The unseen impact of betrayal trauma on parenting⏳ [07:10] – The science behind mother-child attachment and emotional regulation⏳ [16:00] – The myth of shielding children from emotions—and why they need honesty instead⏳ [20:00] – How taking care of your own healing benefits your children long-term⏳ [24:10] – The power of small daily rituals (and why they matter more than hours of time)⏳ [26:00] – How healing is possible no matter how much time has passed⏳ [34:00] – Why your presence matters more than perfection in parentingKey Takeaways:✅ Children are resilient—they don't need perfect parents, just present and emotionally engaged ones.✅ Healing yourself first is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.✅ Small, predictable moments of connection (like bedtime stories or shared meals) are more important than constant time together.✅ Children can handle emotions—what they struggle with is when their emotions are ignored or denied.✅ It's never too late to heal. Even if your children are grown, your healing still impacts them in powerful ways.

Date : Fri, 21 Feb 2025 Speaker : Ash Sheikh Akram Abul Hasan (Madani) M.A (Hons) at Horethuduwa Jumuah Masjid, Panadura Language : Tamil

How does the Church raise up multiethnic leaders for the kingdom through catechesis? The Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto, Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Concordia Seminary Multiethnic Symposium happening May 6-7. They discuss how catechesis is part of the Lord's command in Matthew 28:19, what is meant by "all nations" in this command, what a multiethnic church is and where we see examples of the beauty of multiethnic churches, how catechesis is a powerful tool in the context of a multiethnic church, and the exciting topics to be covered at this year's Multiethnic Symposium. Learn more and register at csl.edu/multiethnic, and read on for the official press release with more details. --------------------------------------------------- ST. LOUIS, Feb. 12, 2025— Registration is open for the 2025 Multiethnic Symposium, “Learning From Each Other: Catechesis That Raises Up Multiethnic Leaders for the Kingdom,” set for May 6-7 on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The symposium brings together individuals from varied cultural backgrounds to share their unique perspectives and experiences to help equip future leaders with knowledge, stills and spiritual maturity to serve God's kingdom faithfully. “Raising up the next generation of multiethnic leaders within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) presents a significant challenge, but it also represents a tremendous responsibility and a unique opportunity that the Lord has graciously bestowed upon us,” said Dr. Ely Prieto, the Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry. “In a multiethnic church context, catechesis serves as a vital and powerful tool for cultivating leaders who are equipped to effectively minister among diverse communities. This symposium will provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from esteemed scholars, experienced pastors and dedicated missionaries who have studied this crucial area and have played a pivotal role in raising up the next generation of immigrant leaders.” Plenary speakers include: Dr. Kent Burreson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Dr. Rhoda Schuler, Professor Emeritus, Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn. Rev. Jeff Cloeter, Senior Pastor, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, St. Louis Dr. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director, Christian Friends of New Americans, St. Louis Jessica Bordeleau, Coordinator, Digital Publishing, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis The 19th Annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Mission also will be held during the symposium. Dr. Hosffman Ospino, professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education and chair of the Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College, in Boston, Mass., will present, “How the Roman Catholic Church is Cultivating and Mentoring a New Generation of Hispanic-Ecclesial Leaders.” The response will be given by Rev. Stephen Heimer, manager of All Nations Ministry for the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) in St. Louis, Mo. The lecture, sponsored by the Seminary's Center for Hispanic Studies, is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to extend their stay and attend the 2025 Multi Asian Gathering, set for May 7-8 on the Seminary campus. The admission fee for the Multi Asian Gathering is $25. Registration closes April 21. The admission fee for the Multiethnic Symposium is $85, but free for Concordia Seminary students and faculty. For more information, visit csl.edu/multiethnic or contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or ce@csl.edu. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Jenet Jacob Erickson is an associate professor in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, where she teaches the Eternal Family course as well as the Introduction to Family Process course for the School of Family Life. She received a PhD in family social science from the University of Minnesota, after completing a bachelor's degree in nursing, and master's degree in linguistics -TESOL at BYU. She is a research fellow of both the BYU Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, and has been a columnist on family issues for the Deseret News since 2013. She met and married her husband, Michael, when they were both 34 years old. Their two children, LaDawn and Peter, provide them unending opportunities for learning and joy.

Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education, leading Worship service given February 2, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 In the early twentieth century, Unitarian astronomist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin fell in love with the Universe, and followed that spark to a lifetime of discovery. Unitarian Universalists too have long nurtured the divine spark in each of us. Indeed, it's one of our countercultural “heresies.” Join us for an interactive and engaging Intergenerational Service that explores our searches for meaning. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For February 2025, the Giving First recipient is the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC). AYCC is a state-licensed, community-based mental health center serving Arlington youth (ages 3-21) and their families. AYCC is the leading provider of outpatient and school-based child and adolescent mental health services in Arlington, offering individual, group, and family counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. Central to its mission, AYCC is committed to ensuring that all community youth and families have access to comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and high-quality mental health care, regardless of their ability to pay. In the past fiscal year, 22% of our clients had public insurance or received grant funding to help cover the costs of care. In addition to mental health services, AYCC oversees First Step- a support group for victims and survivors of domestic violence. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Religious Education is broken, often feeling like a conveyor belt to the sacraments rather than a journey, accompanying individuals as they grow in faith. My guest, Janet Sobczyk, shares how she transformed that reality for her daughter Monica, a person with special needs, so she could receive the sacraments. Janet's story offers powerful lessons for all Faith Formation programs: Individualized attention: By understanding each person's specific needs, strengths, and challenges, we can tailor our approach to foster meaningful connections with their faith. The power of visual and hands-on learning: Interactive tools like visual aids, music, and activities benefit all learners, not just those with special needs. The primacy of the heart: Faith is more than intellectual understanding; it's about fostering a deep, heartfelt connection with God and creating an environment where everyone can experience His love and grace. Sacramental preparation should go beyond rituals and knowledge to create transformative encounters with Jesus and the community. Janet's approach demonstrates the importance of meeting individuals where they are and helping them build a genuine relationship with God—because true faith formation starts with the heart. [02:07] Monica's Sacrament Story: Overcoming Challenges [05:33] Confirmation Journey: A Mother's Conviction [10:23] Empowering Parishes: The SEEDS Program [15:19] Adapting Sacramental Prep for Special Needs [27:22] The Role of Parents in Faith Formation [37:27] Reactions to SEEDS Ministry [43:01] Universal Lessons in Discipling [47:49] Meditation and Silence Check out Seeds Ministry (https://madonnaschool.org/seeds-ministry/) or contact Janet (mailto:jsobczyk@madonnaalliance.org)directly! For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Talk 2   School, Sunday School, & Salvation Welcome to Talk 2 in our new series where I'm reflecting on my how the Lord has blessed my life. Today I'll be talking about my time at Primary School, at Sunday School, and how I learnt at the age of eight how to be saved.   Suttons Lane County Primary School My first school was situated on Suttons Lane, quite close to Hornchurch aerodrome. On the edge of town, to the south it had open views of the fairly flat countryside on the northern side of the River Thames. It was less than a ten-minute walk from my house.   From an early age I was able to walk to school unattended as there were no roads to cross thanks to ‘the cinder track', a footpath that ran along the edge of what we called ‘the farmer's field' where we would see horses pulling a plough to prepare the soil for the potatoes that were grown there.   Every day at school began with the teacher marking the register followed by assembly in the school hall where we sang a hymn, said the Lord's Prayer together, and listened to any announcements the headmaster had to give us. I don't know how many of our teachers were practising Christians, but the emphasis in assembly was distinctly Christian, as was the teaching in the weekly Scripture – later to be called Religious Education – lessons we had in class.   In those days it was a legal requirement for all schools to include Scripture on the curriculum and for each day to begin with an act of Christian worship. So the Christian teaching I received at home and at Sunday School was reinforced by what went on at school. The truth of the Christian message was still widely assumed, even if church attendance had greatly diminished as a result of the war. How different things are today!   I can see with hindsight that, although I didn't realise it at the time, one of the reasons I enjoyed school was that there was no conflict between what I was taught at home and what I was taught at school.   And, of course, I enjoyed it too because, unlike some schools today that have misguidedly sold off their playing fields for commercial purposes, our school shared a playing field with the adjacent secondary school, where we played cricket and football, both of which were probably my favourite activities.   I played for the school team at both cricket and football, the love of which I inherited from my father who on Saturdays was an active player in both. I loved going to watch him play for the Elm Park Football Club and the Cranham Cricket Club.   He once told me he thought that the boys in the secondary school where he taught paid more attention to his Scripture lessons because he also taught them to play football. He was a qualified F.A. Coach, and, incidentally, also told me that one of the boys he had coached played in the England team that won the World Cup in 1966. I still have a box full of medals he won for cricket, football, snooker, and tennis. He was seven times the champion of the Elm Park Lawn Tennis Club.   But I think I also enjoyed school because I was good at my lessons. As I've already mentioned, I started school at the age of 4 in September 1943. Educationally I had the distinct advantage that my father was a teacher and had taught me to read and write before I went to school, and so by the time I was 7 my parents were told that I had a reading age of 12.   In saying this I hope I don't give the impression that I'm boasting. I learnt long ago that true humility is not a matter of pretending that you don't really have any talents or gifts, but acknowledging that what you do have comes from God, and that all the credit is his and not ours. If I have a good brain, it is God who gave me that brain, and I have no right to boast about my academic achievements. But that does not mean that I may not mention them! As God said to Jeremiah:   Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).   Before we were born, God had a purpose for each one of us, and he created us with the abilities we would need to fulfil that purpose.  It's our decision as to whether we fulfil that purpose or not. So I thank God for the good brain he gave me and for parents who encouraged me to use it.   And if I tell you that every year I attended that school I came top of the class, you'll understand that my reason for doing so is to show how, without my realising it, he was guiding me onto a pathway where academic achievement would be an essential part of the work that he had planned for me to do.   Sunday School and Church But school was not the only place I was learning. Probably the most influential source in my education was what my parents taught me at home. But more of that in a moment. I was also learning at Sunday School and at other church related activities like Lifeboys (the name then given to the junior section of the Boys' Brigade).   My first reaction to Sunday School was that I didn't like it! I was only 4 and I'm grateful to my parents that when I told them so they did not force me to go. A little later they suggested very gently that I might like to try it again, and this time I enjoyed it. Because of the wisdom they showed in this matter, I always knew that attendance at Sunday School or Church was to be my decision. No one could ever say that I only went because my parents made me go.   And so I went of my own free will, and year after year was given a book as a prize for good attendance. The annual Sunday School Prize Giving Sunday was a big event, and many of the parents who were not church-goers came to see their children receive their prizes.   Sunday School, which in most churches took place in the afternoon, was a big thing in the 1940s and 1950s. Even parents who did not come to church wanted their children to be taught about the Bible – or they were just glad to get a break from the kids on a Sunday afternoon! We were told that our church had the largest Sunday School in Essex with up to 400 children attending each Sunday. My mother was a Sunday School teacher and my father taught the teenage Bible Class, but more of that in the next talk.   Unlike most of the children who attended Sunday School, I also attended church. I think my first experience of church was travelling on a Sunday evening up to London to attend the church where my parents had attended before the war. We travelled on the London Underground railway on the District Line between Elm Park and Bromley stations, and I took an instant dislike to London because at that time much of that area was damaged, dirty, and quite smelly.   The Tab which formerly, I was told, had up to a thousand in its congregation, had been bombed in the war and, as far as I know was never rebuilt. Many of the people's houses had been destroyed and, rather like my parents, they had moved away from the East End of London. Consequently the meetings I went to as a young child with my parents were attended by at most a few dozen people and took place in the upstairs room of a pub, which I seem to remember was called The Five Bells.   The meetings weren't really suitable for children, and I didn't really enjoy the fuss that all the adults made of me. One thing I did like was the minister, Mr Tildsley, referring to me as King David and perhaps that sparked in my young heart a desire to copy my namesake and achieve great victories for God.   Fortunately, as far as I was concerned, my parents soon decided that it was time to settle into a church that was nearer to where they were now living, so we started attending Elm Park Baptist which was a relatively new church as most of the houses in the area, like ours, had only been constructed in the mid to late 1930s.   It was a warm friendly church with lots of activities for children and young people and, although I couldn't understand all that the minister said in his sermons on Sunday evenings, it's clear, looking back on it, that it was all influencing my mind in the right direction, leading me ultimately in my teens to give my life to Jesus. But that's a subject for our next talk. However, before we get there, it's important that I tell you how, at the age of 8, I came to understand how to be sure I would go the Heaven when I die.   The way of salvation I remember how, at the age of 8, I was sitting on my father's knee when I asked him,   Daddy, how good do you have to be to go to Heaven?      I think the question was on my mind because of something that was called David's Good Boy Chart. This was a chart my father had made rather like a calendar with a space for each day for him to stick on it a coloured sun or moon or star, depending on how my behaviour had been that day.   I think he had made it because my mother had been having some problems with me during the day while he was at work. When he got home, my mother would tell him how I had behaved that day and an appropriate sticker would be applied to the chart. If I'd been good, it would be a sun, not so good, a moon, and so on.   I think I must have been wondering how many suns I would need if I wanted to go to Heaven! My father explained that it isn't a question of how good we are, because none of us is good enough to go to heaven. That's why Jesus came to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so that all who believe in him will have everlasting life.   Then he asked, Do you believe that, David?   I replied, Yes, of course I do. And why do you believe it? asked my father. Because you have told me, I said. That's a good reason, he said, but one day you will come to believe it for yourself.   That's the first time I can remember that I was consciously aware of the truth of the gospel. I suppose that, like many who have been brought up in a Christian home, I can't put a date on when I first believed. It feels as though I have always believed. I cannot remember a time when I did not believe.   I used to be concerned about this, especially when so many Christians can remember a specific date. But then I heard an illustration that was very helpful. I never forgot, and will never forget, the date when Eileen and I married. But even if one year I had forgotten it, I would never have forgotten that I was married and who I was married to!   The point of the illustration is this. The date that my married relationship with Eileen started was relatively unimportant compared with our relationship throughout our married lives. The same applies to our relationship with Jesus. What matters is not when our relationship started, but whether I am in relationship with him now. Am I trusting him now for the forgiveness of my sins and my home in heaven? And if I am, then the exact date it all started is relatively unimportant.   So I cannot remember an exact date when I first believed but I can remember the day when I decided to give my life to Christ. And again, it was through my father that I came to that decision. But we'll come to that in a later talk.  

Most of the news on this week's show centers on Trump's nominations, many of whom are blatant Christian nationalists. FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence describes our newest lawsuit, just filed this week, challenging unconstitutional tax exemption for religiously owned commercial rental properties in Madison, Wis. Then we talk with a former "church lady," Carolyn Shadle, who was the Director of Religious Education at a Presbyterian church before she abandoned her faith. Her new book is called From Religion to Reason: My Journey.

When well-meaning leaders, anxious to adhere to the separation of church and state, lean too far in to the “zero religious education” stance, instead of calling on academia to sift through standards and material and come up with a curriculum, we get the current situation we are in—a public at large more susceptible to bad theology at best and fundamentalism, fanaticism, and conspiracism at worst. Pastor Andrew makes the plea for cold, objective, religious eduction now.

One of the largest opportunities for evangelization is in our Catholic schools. But breaking into this mission field comes with its own struggles. Many parents are juggling so many responsibilities and pressures. They're dealing with work, family, and all the demands of modern life, which can make it hard to prioritize their faith journey. Plus, the church's efforts to engage them might not always resonate or fit into their busy lives. But the key is to meet them where they are. Join me today for a discussion about how to engage school parents in the clear path to discipleship. [01:12] Challenges Facing Catholic Schools [05:00] The Role of Parents in Faith Formation [07:23] Building a Clear Path of Discipleship [09:42] Pro Tips for Engaging School Parents For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given December 24, 2024 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister Reading of "The Christmas Story" by Robin Richstone by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join us for our annual Christmas Eve candlelight worship service.  Offering and Giving First The full amount of the gifts received during the live worship service supported the work of Renewal House, a domestic violence shelter for individuals in crisis and their children. Since 1980 Renewal House has provided temporary emergency shelter and advocacy services as part of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Led by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, and Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education Worship service given December 22, 2024 "The Solstice Badger," adapted by Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson from the book by Robin McFadden Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join Revs. Erica and Stevie for a holiday worship service for all ages! We will hear a fable acted out by a merry band of children, youth, and adults of all ages. We will also hear music from the Children's, Adult, and Bell Choirs. And we will decorate the Sanctuary tree together. Join us at 10 am this coming Sunday. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports The Children's Room. The Children's Room, based here in Arlington, provides children, teens, and their families an opportunity to find connection and community after the death of a parent or sibling. The Children's Room creates safe, supportive communities, so that no child, teen, or family has to grieve alone. Services for families are provided free of charge so that families have no financial burden. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Preaching for the First Sunday of Advent, Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley offers a reflection on hope in God's righteousness and justice: "When we seek a life centered in abiding in God's way - we are walking humbling with God. It is then that God guides the humble to justice and teaches us in the way of truth." Valerie D. Lewis-Mosely, RN, OPA, is the retired Director of Religious Education at the Church of Christ the King - Jersey City, New Jersey, a historical Black Catholic Parish. She now serves in various capacities across the nation as a mentor to youth and young adults; evangelist, retreat leader and revivalist and public speaker, life coach and Spiritual Director. Catechesis to children and youth and women's spirituality and empowerment are a major component of her ministry as a pastoral associate. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at Caldwell University, Caldwell, New Jersey, and Xavier University of Louisiana Institute for Black Catholic Studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12012024 to learn more about Valerie, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Almeda M. Wright is Assistant Professor of Religious Education at Yale Divinity School. Her research focuses on African American religion, adolescent spiritual development, and the interesections of religion and public life.

December 16-22 | Moroni 10 | Joined by Scholar Scott Esplin, Dean of Religious Education at BYU, and Special Guest Judy Bester Brummer.

Episode: 1279 Two Newtons, an old mechanics text, and the fight against slavery.  Today, a moving bit of marginalia.

At the center of the debate is the increasingly popular Hilliard-based LifeWise Academy, which runs in more than 500 schools in 23 U.S. states.

At the center of the debate is the increasingly popular Hilliard-based LifeWise Academy, which runs in more than 500 schools in 23 U.S. states.

In this episode of the Forty Drinks Podcast, Fran Caudron opens up about her upbringing in a strict Catholic family, her early marriage to an addict, and the subsequent emotional turmoil. She discusses how her deep dive into different spiritual paths, including evangelical Christianity and a transformative retreat, helped her rediscover hope and strength. Fran also highlights the importance of community, the powerful impact of somatic experiences, and the lifelong process of self-improvement through programs like the 12-step initiative. Fran's story illustrates the ongoing journey towards inner peace and happiness.Guest Bio Fran Caudron spent a 34 year career as a highly skilled, creative, and motivated master elementary educator in Northern Alberta, Canada; from which she recently retired and continues to work as an adult educator and healer through hypnotherapy.She is humbled and fortunate to have had a wealth of collaborative opportunities working alongside Indigenous elders and community leaders. Open minded and responsive to the impact and influence of culture, experiences and family on student learners, she has a proven success rate at supporting and teaching diverse learners and Indigenous students. Her leadership is based on collegiality, creativity and awareness. With a strong background in teaching Indigenous students and diverse students from high risk environments, her pedagogy aligns with the holism of mind-body-spirit, and how students, parents and the community can teach educators, and together, heal the education system.Fran experienced intense internal spiritual growth through surrendering to the 12 step program of recovery, and furthered her growth with a masters in Religious Education. She is a trained hypnotherapist and in her weekly vlog called “Hopenning” she interviews authors and healers who promote hope and inner spirit healing.Today, Fran thrives by creating an attitude and environment of gratitude, resilience, and forgiveness. She teaches pre-service teachers from Indigenous and other backgrounds through the University of Alberta on-line and next September, in-person and she continues to promote recovery through her work with the 12 steps and by healing the inner child.Turning Forty and 12-Stepping My Way to HappinessFran Caudron joins Stephanie to share her story of resilience and transformation after leaving a controlling marriage marred by addiction and betrayal. Raised in a traditional Catholic family and influenced by evangelical beliefs, Fran initially felt trapped in a life that didn't align with her true self. Her story unfolds as she learns to break free from deeply ingrained beliefs, rebuild her identity, and find healing through a weeklong retreat, spiritual exploration, and the strength of community. This episode dives deep into themes of accountability, self-love, and the power of somatic experiences in processing buried emotions.Episode Highlights:Roots of Restriction: Fran's upbringing in a strict Catholic family and subsequent involvement in evangelical Christianity added layers of control and suppression, especially around the roles of women and the stigma of divorce.Marriage as a “Fix”: In her early twenties, Fran believed marriage and children could “fix” existing relationship issues, a notion that only led to deeper despair.The Breaking Point: At 38, Fran's discovery of her husband's infidelity was the final push she needed to seek a new life for herself and her daughters.Healing Through Retreat: A transformative retreat on Vancouver Island introduced Fran to somatic healing, where she learned to process and release her pent-up anger and pain, finding solidarity with others who shared similar emotional struggles.Building a New Life: With the support of a 12-step program, Fran redefined her values and set boundaries that allowed her to grow spiritually...

Almeda M. Wright is Assistant Professor of Religious Education at Yale Divinity School. Her research focuses on African American religion, adolescent spiritual development, and the interesections of religion and public life.We discuss Wrights' latest book entitled, Teaching to Live: Black Religion, Activist Educators and Radical Social Change. The book profiles eight distinguished African American teachers and the ways each made a unique contribution as social change agents through their teaching. This is a must-read for early career scholars, colleagues interested in the power of teaching, and those who want an exceptional example of scholarship through ethnographic methodology. 

Topic: Looking Outwards   Guest: Rabbi Erica Gerson   Bio:    Rabbi Erica Gerson graduated from Amherst College, magna cum laude, and received both rabbinical ordination and a Masters in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Erica served as the inaugural Director of Jewish Life at JCP Downtown in Manhattan before relocating to NJ, where she taught in the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Rodeph Sholom School, a Reform Jewish day school. Erica is also a member of the international board of United Hatzalah of Israel. She and her husband are the co-founders of the Rabbi Erica and Mark Gerson L'Chaim Prize, an annual $500,000 award for Outstanding Christian Medical Missionary Service. It is administered by the African Mission Healthcare Foundation, of which Mark is a co-founder. *In this episode we hear a very unique perspective on Jewish philanthropy including donating significantly to non-Jewish causes and not diversifying too much.  

Welcome back to another episode of the Book of Mormon Studies Podcast. For this episode, Rosalynde Welch, Associate Director of the Maxwell Institute and Host of the podcast talks with Shon Hopkin, Department Chair of Religious Education at BYU.In this episode, they discuss the text of the book of Mormon, giving it context for readers of the Come, Follow Me curriculum for 2024.

The legal landscape for parents seeking religious education for their children has become friendlier, thanks in large part to court rulings relating to school choice and religious discrimination. Neal McCluskey details where things stand now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome, and thanks for listening to another episode of the Book of Mormon Studies Podcast. In this episode, Rosalynde Welch, Associate Director of the Maxwell Institute and Host of the podcast talks with Tyler Griffin, Associate Dean of Religious Education at BYU.In this episode, they discuss the text of the book of Helaman, giving it context for readers of the Come, Follow Me curriculum for 2024.

Garret Shields has a bachelor's degree in History and a master's degree in Religious Education, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in History, researching issues and questions related to race and the priesthood in Brazil. He works in the Church Educational System as a Seminary teacher. Garret served in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission and has since served in many callings in the Church including ward mission leader, high councilor, elders quorum president, bishopric counselor, Sunday School president, and nursery leader. He currently serves as a priest quorum advisor. Garret lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, with his wife and four energetic, adorable, and amazing children. Monica Fell has worked as a registered nurse for almost 20 years, where she has had the privilege of loving and serving in many capacities from hospital settings to home health and hospice, and working with struggling youth in group homes. At church, Monica has also served in many callings, including nursery leader, librarian, Relief Society counselor, girls camp director, Primary president, Young Women president, and currently as a Young Women 1st counselor. She served as a "teaching advisor" while Garret was Sunday School president in their ward, working alongside the presidency to support teaching both in the home and at church. Monica is a single empty nester who calls Spanish Fork home. She had the privilege of raising two boys and identical twin girls, is grateful for a son- and daughter-in-law she loves like her own, and can't believe how much fun it is to be a "Nana" of an adorable, spirited, 3-year-old granddaughter. Links There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Recognizing that most gospel teaching at home and even at church in their ward was done by women, Garrett decided to include women in the Sunday School presidency. Monica, one of the teaching advisors in the presidency, highlights the success of their approach, especially in addressing the challenges faced by women in implementing Come Follow Me at home. The podcast delves into the structure of their meetings, the proactive nature of their leadership, and the emphasis on Teaching in the Savior's Way. The dynamic and collaborative nature of their presidency meetings fostered a strong bond among the members and led to better teaching in the ward as a whole. 00:03:06 - Garret's Background and Role as Sunday School President 00:07:40 - Monica's Perspective on Serving in the Sunday School Presidency 00:10:19 - Structure and Dynamics of the Sunday School Presidency 00:14:10 - Importance of Being a Difference Maker in Leadership 00:19:22 - Implementation of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents 00:25:13 - Emphasizing Christ-Centered Teaching 00:29:05 - Structure of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents and Teachers 00:34:11 - Importance of Building Relationships and Camaraderie in Leadership 00:36:38 - Proactive Approach to Leadership and Ministry The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences,

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020. Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield are the authors of The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints. In this interview they discuss where mindfulness and meditation fit into the gospel and how we can better approach our service and our practices with the balance of mindfulness. Jacob Hess, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor trained through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Carrie Skarda, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice. She has provided individual and couples therapy with particular interest in attachment trauma and mindfulness, and has studied and practiced mindfulness and formal meditation for over ten years. Kyle Anderson, PhD, is a professor of Chinese and Asian Studies, currently an administrator in Global Learning, International Partnerships and Initiatives at Clemson University, and came to mindfulness meditation through his studies in Asian literature. Ty Mansfield, PhD, is a practicing marriage and family therapist, an adjunct instructor in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, and is in the process of certification with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in their Mindfulness Meditation Teacher training program. Links The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints Jesus: The Perfect Leader, by Spencer W. Kimball The Council for Sustainable Healing Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights 5:40 Jacob was exposed to meditation in graduate school and began to see where it fit into the gospel tradition 7:00 Backgrounds of the authors 9:00 Definitions of mindfulness and what it means to Christians and to Latter-day Saints: compassionate presence in the moment 11:10 Christ was meditative and present in the moment 12:25 Being busy vs. mindfulness 14:00 Looking for words in our own tradition: reverence, peace, stillness, pondering 15:45 Advice for a busy leader: Christ had a practice of punctuating his doing with non-doing; the rhythm of action and pausing is already built in to our practices 19:40 It's not the gospel that people struggle with, but an impoverished experience of it 20:55 David O. McKay quote: “I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul.” 22:10 Example in a ward council: not praying as a to-do, but sitting with the Savior 23:30 Clarity and priority come through pausing between action 24:25 Centering the attention on the inspiration in the moment and not on the calendar: Am I interruptable? 26:20 The Savior was interruptable in his task at hand and could pivot to what was most needful in the moment 28:35 The Savior was willing to build in his time with His Father, the foundation of His work 29:35 We can meditate on the person in front of us by giving them our full attention in that moment 31:30 The order in which the Savior did what he did: communion with the Father, surrounding himself in community, then going out to minister 33:45 C.S. Lewis (in Mere Christianity): “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.”