Podcast appearances and mentions of trinity lutheran

As the descendants of Jehu continue to reign in Israel, they do not turn away from the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. However, Jehoahaz does seek the LORD's favor, and the LORD responds by graciously sending a savior. Jehoash serves as king in Israel during the days of Elisha's death. Elisha gives the word of the LORD to Jehoash the king as a father teaches a child, and it is a gracious word from the LORD of victory over Syria. The miracle that is done through Elisha even after the prophet has died foreshadows the miracle of eternal life that comes through the Prophet who has been raised from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Kings 13:1-25.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitymillstadt.org. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The famine reaches Canaan, and Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Well, everyone except Benjamin, whom he fears might be harmed as he believed Joseph had been. When the brothers bow before Egypt's governor, they unknowingly fulfill Joseph's dreams from decades earlier. But Joseph, now unrecognizable in Egyptian royal robes and speaking through an interpreter, doesn't reveal himself. Instead, he tests them harshly, accusing them of being spies and imprisoning them for three days. As they discuss their guilt regarding Joseph in Hebrew, not knowing he understands every word, Joseph turns away and weeps. The path to reconciliation will be long and painful, but God is already at work, using even their guilt to bring about repentance and restoration.  The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 42.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit www.trinitylutheran.org. Genesis isn't just the start of the Bible; it's the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal. In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you've read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Omri, the commander of Israel's army, came out on top when the dust settled after Zimri's death. Although Omri established Samaria and brought Israel to greater political prominence during his reign, the writer of 1 Kings judges Omri as an unfaithful king whose wickedness before the LORD is the worst so far. Omri didn't remain on that pedestal for long, as his son Ahab was more wicked still, influenced by his pagan wife Jezebel. Nonetheless, the LORD remained faithful to Israel in those days and sent Elijah as one of His greatest prophets. Elijah's ministry began by predicting a drought as judgment against Israel's wickedness, even as the LORD provided for Elijah during that time of no rain.  Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Kings 16:21-17:7.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylcmsvinton.org. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

As 1 Kings records the reigns of four kings of whose rule began during the reign of King Asa of Judah, the situation only grows worse and worse. Nadab, son of Jeroboam, only reigns for two years before Baasha comes and kills the whole house of Jeroboam, in fulfillment of the Word of the LORD. Baasha's reign over Israel is longer, but his unfaithfulness leads to his family's destruction by the Word of the LORD. That word is fulfilled when Elah, the son of Baasha, is killed along with the rest of his family by Zimri. Zimri's reign is only seven days long, a reminder of the chaos that holds sway in Israel due to the way the people hold onto the idolatry Jeroboam instituted.  Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Kings 15:25-16:20.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitynlr.com. To learn more about Shepherd of Peace Lutheran, visit shepeace.com. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Year C – Fourth Sunday in Easter – May 25, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd                 John 14:23-29   Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen savior, Jesus Christ, who gives us his peace. Amen. *** If you haven't already heard… we elected a new bishop this past week at our synod assembly. Bishop-elect Julie Schneider-Thomas comes from the outskirts of the Grand Rapids area, where she served two congregations that are in a formal paired relationship. In church lingo… we call that a 2-point, and she has been with them for nearly 30 years. As excited as the assembly was that the Holy Spirit was calling us into something new… there were those for whom Pr Julie's election was a cause for grieving… a cause for troubled hearts. Among them, of course, are our outgoing bishop, Criag Satterlee, and those who serve on his staff, Pr Chrisy Bright and Pr Kjersten Sullivan… also Bp. Satterlee's wife and daughter. The Holy Spirit is now calling all of them forward into something new, but to what… they don't yet know. It's understandably disorienting. And at the end of Bishop-elect Julie's acceptance speech, she left the podium… but then came running back to say one last thing… She said she saw the wide eyes of her people… people from not only one congregation, but from two… who just realized they have lost their pastor… their leader and shepherd… of 30 years. She saw their wide, troubled eyes… and her heart just broke. I felt that ache with her. In just a few short months, I have fallen deeply in love with this congregation… and with joy in my heart, I'm excited to share my life with you for years to come… to deepen our relationship over the gift of time. And so, I can only imagine what they all must have felt in that moment… The thrill of hope for where a new leader might guide our synod… a leader they know and love… up against the terrible ache of loss, knowing that their stability… and the patterns of life in those congregations are suddenly upended. The truth is… life could change for any of us in a moment's notice… disorienting us… and challenging what we thought we knew. Leaving our hearts… troubled, and afraid. And into this disorientation, Jesus arrives with a word of peace. Do not let your hearts be troubled, he says… and do not be afraid. He tells them that yes, he is leaving them… but he is not leaving them alone. So be at peace… Jesus is going back to the Father, but we have the Holy Spirit… our advocate… our God with us. The Holy Spirit is with us always, to guide us… and to remind us of what Jesus taught us… to pour God's love into us so we can share that love with the world. The Holy Spirit is with us… to ease our troubled hearts… and to give us… peace. Jesus tells his disciples this before his death and resurrection… This particular passage takes place after their last supper… after Judas has betrayed Jesus and gone out into the night… and after Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him… He's telling them this now… so that when the moment comes, they will remember his words. He's trying to prepare them as best he can for what is to come… Imploring them to remember… remember that when you feel troubled… when you are afraid… I am still with you. Our advocate… God's Holy Spirit… is still with us… always with us. These words are for us, as well… remember what Jesus promised us… we will never be abandoned. *** Our election for bishop went all the way to the fifth and final ballot… the field narrowing with each round. And before each round of voting… after passing out the ballots, we prayed together as an assembly. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to be present in our choice, and we breathed in that breath of God around us… The intention of this prayer was not to call the Holy Spirit to us… we were not imploring the Holy Spirit to come and be by our side. This prayer was for us… it was for our understanding… it was so that WE would become aware of the presence of God… that was already there. This prayer… was to help us remember Jesus' promise. This prayer was intended to help us open our hearts to God in the Spirit… our Advocate… who is with us always. …our Christ, by our side… giving us peace… not as the world gives, but as Jesus gives… the peace that comes from remembering Jesus's promise that we would never be abandoned by God. It was only after giving thanks for the Spirit of God with us, that we cast each vote. And so, while the results mean there are changes ahead… we know that Christ is with us through them all. *** There was another story I wanted to share with you today… another example of how present the Spirit of God is with us in our troubling, disorienting moments. …those moments when we might be tempted to feel that God has abandoned us. This happened just a couple of days ago… and I want to start by saying that no one was hurt… But my friend and colleague, Pastor Kara of Trinity Lutheran in Hillsdale, lost her home, her camper, and her husband's truck in a fire on Thursday. Like I said, everyone is ok… unharmed… physically, at least, including their dog… no one was home at the time. But their property is a total loss. And just as Rich recently experienced after the storms, they have been showered with offers to help in whatever way they might need. And to everyone, she has the same response… She is beyond thankful that no one was hurt, and they have insurance. She is shocked, for sure… no one expects this… but she is absolutely grounded by Christ's peace and presence. So, her request to everyone who offers is that they refocus their intentions toward the youth and young adults of our synod. You see… at the assembly, after we elected the new bishop, we also had to pass the new budget. The synod council put forward a budget that cut the amounts allocated for nearly all of our ministries, including support for the synod Youth & Young Adult Table, our Campus Ministries, and Living Water Ministries. Pastor Kara had moved for an addendum to the budget to reinstate the financial support for our youth and young adult ministry programs. She argued that we cannot claim the importance of youth and young adults in our church while also cutting our support for them. After much debate, the addendum passed… which reinstated the $14,000 cut from the lines supporting youth and young adult ministries… It was… a leap of faith… Because it came without any recent historical pattern of mission support from congregations to justify that extra spending. She was pretty much on edge after pushing the synod into possible debt. Still, Pastor Kara knew the Holy Spirit was with us in that room, guiding our decisions and moving our hearts toward God's will. She trusted that when we follow God's call, God will provide. She could not have known, however, that in less than a week, her faith in God's provision would be put to the test. But I hear her… I hear the ache in her voice. She pushed for the assembly to do the right thing, even before knowing how we would accomplish it. She knew that her heart was troubled, but that the Spirit of Christ was with us… So, when facing a life-altering event… the kind of event that might leave one feeling abandoned… her faith and her resolve became stronger. They are unharmed, and they will recover… and so she is redirecting all the attention back toward the movement of the Holy Spirit at the assembly. And she is at peace. We'll be talking more about this call to support youth and young adult ministries in the months to come… but as we have these conversations, I want you to remember… Remember Jesus' words to us… his promise… Jesus said to his disciples… as he says to us… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Christ is with us always, through good times and challenging times… in happy times and in sorrow. The promise of Jesus is that God's Spirit is with us always, surrounding us with peace, and equipping us for the work ahead. So we will not let our hearts be troubled… and we will not be afraid. Amen.

The servant tells his story, giving glory to God for guiding him straight to Rebekah. Her family consents, and she boldly agrees to leave everything behind for the sake of Isaac and the promise. In a quiet and touching scene, she meets her husband and becomes his comfort after the loss of his mother. In this union, God's covenant continues forward through faith and love.  The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 24:34–67.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. Genesis isn't just the start of the Bible; it's the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal. In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you've read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The most consequential church-state case of this Supreme Court term involves whether the government could – or even must – fund religious charter schools. Amanda and Holly examine key moments in the oral arguments from Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond, playing clips from the courtroom and looking at how the justices may apply recent precedent to shape future law. As BJC noted in the brief we filed, if the government funds religious charter schools, it will drag our government deeper into questions it is unfit to answer on matters of doctrine and church composition. That's not government neutrality toward religion – that's religious preference repackaged as educational choice.   SHOW NOTESSegment 1 (starting at 01:53): Developments since our previous show Amanda and Holly talked about the Catholic Charities/Wisconsin case in episode 12: Back to SCOTUS: Regular business in disturbing times We released our episode with Melissa Rogers to coincide with the first 100 days of the Trump administration. It is episode 13 of season 6: Active citizenship: A conversation with Melissa Rogers about promoting religious freedom and the common good President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on the National Day of Prayer and he signed an executive order on the same day establishing the Religious Liberty Commission.  The American Bar Association has a website page dedicated to National Law Day You can click this link to read President Donald Trump's proclamation on “Loyalty Day and Law Day.” The Respecting Religion podcast won a 2025 “Best in Class” award from the Religion Communicators Council's DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards for our episode titled: “But … is it Christian nationalism?” from season 5.   Segment 2 (starting at 09:51): Oral arguments in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond Holly mentioned this article from The Washington Post by Justin Jouvenal and Laura Meckler that provides an overview of the case: How religious public schools went from a long shot to the Supreme Court Holly and Amanda discussed these cases as they worked their way through the courts in episode 16 of season 5: The trouble with *religious* charter schools BJC filed an amicus brief in Oklahoma v. Drummond, along with other Christian organizations as well as Jewish, Muslim and interfaith groups. Click here to read our brief. We played four clips in this segment from the oral arguments in Oklahoma v. Drummond. You can visit the Supreme Court's website for a transcript of the arguments and an audio recording of the arguments.  Clip #1: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson & Solicitor General John Sauer Clip #2: Chief Justice John Roberts  Clip #3: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson  Clip #4: Justice Elena Kagan & Michael McGinley Amanda and Holly mentioned three decisions authored by Chief Justice John Roberts that developed a new way of understanding the Free Exercise Clause. They are:  Trinity Lutheran v. Comer (2017) Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue (2020) Carson v. Makin (2022) Holly's 2017 column on the Trinity Lutheran decision is titled “Decidedly narrow, deeply troubling.”   Segment 3 (starting 37:12): What do we expect? We played one clip from the oral argument in this segment: The opening statement of Greg Garre, who argued the case for the attorney general of Oklahoma. Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. Your gift to BJC is tax-deductible, and you can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.

There is Only One Good Son

There is Only One Good Son

There is Only One Good Son

Malchus | John 18:1-11| Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus In the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus is arrested, a dramatic moment unfolds—Peter draws his sword and strikes Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Yet, in an act of divine mercy, Jesus heals him. What can we learn from Malchus' encounter with Christ? How does this moment reflect Jesus' mission of grace, even amid betrayal and suffering? Join us as we explore the significance of this passage and its powerful message for us today.

Malchus | John 18:1-11| Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus In the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus is arrested, a dramatic moment unfolds—Peter draws his sword and strikes Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Yet, in an act of divine mercy, Jesus heals him. What can we learn from Malchus' encounter with Christ? How does this moment reflect Jesus' mission of grace, even amid betrayal and suffering? Join us as we explore the significance of this passage and its powerful message for us today.

Jac-Cen-Del vs Trinity Lutheran Boys BB, Mar. 1, 2025

After a scoreboard update from Brendan King, Coach continues his conversation with Greg Rakestraw as they resume their talk of the Cathedral win over Carmel. We head back to the HS basketball front as Coach talks with Plainfield Head Coach Andy Weaver as they defeated Zionsville 77-68. We then move to college football as coach talks with Len Clark of Irish 101 as they discuss the Fighting Irish’s win over Georgia in the playoffs and their MBB team’s heartbreaking loss at home to North Carolina. The Head Coach over at Park Heritage, Rich Schelsky, calls in to talk about their victory over Sheridan 66-58. Coach then moves over to Kris Norton of WITZ as they had two games today for Jasper; the boys losing 49-58 vs Princeton and the girls getting the win 58-20 over Pike Central. Coach continues the HS basketball talk with David Deaton of WKLO as they had 2 games as well; a girls game where Trinity Lutheran defeated North Harrison 60-52 and a boys game where Corydon Central won 51-30 over Southwestern-Hanover. We also get to hear from Rob Brown of the ISC Sports Network who had the call of Lawrence North’s 70-64 win over Jeffersonville. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng interview Eric Rassbach, Vice President and Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Mr. Rassbach discusses the Loffman v. California Department of Education case, where Becket successfully secured a unanimous Ninth Circuit decision ensuring equal access to special education funding for religious school students. He explores how California's restrictive interpretation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) denied federal funds to students at private religious schools, in contrast to secular ones. He delves into the broader context of religious liberty in K-12 education, highlighting landmark SCOTUS rulings, including Trinity Lutheran, Espinoza, and Carson's impact on the evolving legal battles reshaping states' Blaine Amendments and school choice policies. Rassbach also examines how religious schooling and school choice initiatives can enhance student achievement. He foresees increased litigation and legislative action bolstering educational freedom nationwide.

Jesus reveals the profound unity between Himself and God the Father. He explains that He does nothing on His own but only what He sees the Father doing, reflecting a perfect harmony in their divine work. Jesus asserts that the Father has entrusted Him with the authority to give life and to judge all humanity, highlighting that honoring the Son is inseparable from honoring the Father. He prophesies a future resurrection where the faithful will rise to eternal life, while those who have done evil will face judgment. To affirm His divine mission, Jesus points to multiple witnesses: the testimony of John the Baptist, the miraculous works He performs, the sacred Scriptures, and the direct testimony of God Himself. Through these, He urges the people to believe in Him, for in Him lies the promise of eternal life. The Rev. Bryan Stecker, pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Waconia, MN, joins guest host Rev. David Boisclair to study John 5:19-47. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity.  From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God's love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God's revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John's Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

S. Decatur vs Trinity Lutheran, Volleyball Reg., Oct. 28, 2024

OA vs Trinity Lutheran Volleyball Sect., Oct. 15, 2024

OA vs Trinity Lutheran Volleyball Sect., Oct. 15, 2024

Kate Hawtin with details on the Trinity Luteran College 'Cinderella' Production at the Mildura Arts Centre Thursday & Friday. Tickets at the MAC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if our disagreements could actually bring us closer together? Join us for an enlightening discussion on the art of disagreeing agreeably with our special guest, Matt Borrasso, pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Lexington Park. Drawing from the works of Diana Glyer, Matt shares his insights on fostering intellectual hospitality and cultivating curiosity over condemnation within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Listen as we explore practical ways to ask better questions and engage constructively in debates, using real-world examples like the reactions to a vice presidential nominee's Lutheran identity.Embark on a journey through history and theology as we dissect the challenges of empathetic dialogue within the LCMS, particularly around contextual and residential education. Learn from historical figures who navigated theological disagreements while maintaining unity and respect. Our conversation reveals the detrimental effects of passive-aggressive behavior and tribalism, and how leaders like District President Mike Gibson are working to bridge divides. We even ponder whether Martin Luther himself would feel at home in today's church body, considering the legacy of mistrust from past theological conflicts.Dive deep into the complexities of trust and reconciliation within the Lutheran community. Through personal anecdotes and theological reflections, we discuss the importance of confession, forgiveness, and mutual trust as cornerstones of our faith. Hear about the balance needed between traditional and contemporary worship expressions and the call for greater transparency in church leadership selection. By fostering open conversations grounded in our shared belief in Christ's resurrection, we advocate for a more united and trusting LCMS community. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode on building a more inclusive and understanding faith community.Support the showJoin the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletterVisit uniteleadership.org

There is a novel – and concerning – development in public education and the relationship between the institutions of church and state: Oklahoma and Guam have proposed religious charter schools. Litigation has already started. But, what is a religious charter school, and why is the idea such a problem? Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman say they are illegal and that they challenge some basic assumptions.  Segment 1 (starting at 00:38): What are religious charter schools, and what's the problem? Holly and Amanda discussed the trouble with school vouchers in episode 8 and episode 9 of this season.  In an order on his way out the door, former Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor issued an opinion that said religious charter schools were ok, but then new Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond reversed that guidance. Read Don Byrd's article for BJC's website about the Oklahoma and Guam charter schools: Guam joins Oklahoma in approving government-funded religious charter schools after legislature overrides governor's veto Segment 2 (starting at 12:39): The lawsuits in Oklahoma trying to stop this action You can download the petition for the lawsuit by Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond in the Oklahoma Supreme Court at this link on the website of the Oklahoma State Courts Network. The lawsuit brought by the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and others is called OKPLAC, Inc. v. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. Read the Complaint and learn more on the websites of the ACLU and of Americans United. OKPLAC is the “Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition.” Segment 3 (starting at 18:43): State and constitutional questions about charter schools Visit this resource from the U.S. Department of Education to learn more about charter schools. The trinity of recent Supreme Court cases mentioned were: Trinity Lutheran v. Comer (2017) Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue (2020) Carson v. Makin (2022) Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.  

Welcome to the new year and our first podcast of 2024!  Thank you for listening to the Neighbors United in Christ weekly worship service brought to you by the churches of Deronda, Little Falls, and Trinity Lutheran.  We are led in service by Loren Teig.  Jim Haugerud and Debbie Teig provide music and Steve Helling does the readings and children's message.  Visit us online at NUICParish.org.  

In part two of our conversation on school vouchers, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at who really wants the troublesome programs, and why. They discuss how court decisions are chipping away at constitutional boundaries and dive into the policy debates and political fights over school vouchers that are pitting communities against each other. Plus, they share the origins of some of the language used in these conversations and why Texas – surprisingly – hasn't passed a voucher program.    SHOW NOTES Segment 1 (starting at 00:38): Analyzing Zelman and cases chipping away at constitutional boundaries Listen to part one of this conversion in episode 8 of season 5. Holly and Amanda discuss the ruling in the 2002 case of Zelman v. Simmons-Harris. You can read the opinion and dissent here. They mention a trilogy of cases that came later – click the case name for more information, including podcast episodes: Trinity Lutheran v. Comer (2017) Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue (2020) Carson v. Makin (2022)   Segment 2 (starting at 06:04): Policy debates and political fights  Holly and Amanda mentioned the following articles: GOP states are embracing vouchers. Wealthy parents are benefitting. by Andrew Atterbury for Politico ‘School choice' developed as a way to protect segregation and abolish public schools by Nancy MacLean for The Washington Post in 2021 Rural resistance to statewide school vouchers by Deven Carlson for Brookings Are school vouchers inevitable? was the headline of the article by Robert T. Garrett on the front page of the Dallas Morning News “Our public school system is our town”: Why this rural Republican is voting against school vouchers By Brian Lopez and Patrick Svitek for The Texas Tribune Amanda and Holly discussed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's push for school vouchers in episode 1 of this season. Learn more about Pastors for Texas Children and their work countering vouchers by visiting their website.   Segment 3: (starting at 24:00): Additional resources on vouchers  Here are some additional resources from BJC on school vouchers: U.S. House rejects nationwide school voucher amendment 311-113, while states continue to enact voucher programs by Don Byrd (March 2023) Voucher-funded religious education: A threat to religious liberty byJennifer Hawks (February 2020) School vouchers threaten religious autonomy by Jennifer Hawks (March 2015) You can also access additional resources on religion and public schools at this link on our website. Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.

After a scoreboard update from Brad Huber, Coach Bob Lovell brings on Cliff Hawkins, the head coach at Tipton high school. The Blue Devils defeated Delta tonight at the Muncie Fieldhouse. Next, Tanner Camp of the Regional Radio Sports Network joins to talk about Michigan City's 70-34 win over Hammond Central. Then, Jackson Williams, the head coach at Greenwood Christian calls in to talk about his 55-47 win over Lutheran. After that, Kris Norton of WITZ joins to talk about a Northeast Dubois 48-33 win over Tel City. Next, Kurt Darling of the ISC Sports Network (and Radio One's WIBC News) calls in to talk about the Forum Tipoff Classic at Southport High School tonight. After that, Coach Lovell brings on Mark Minner to talk about Butler's 97-90 overtime win over Cal at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Minner is the play-by-play voice of the Bulldogs. Finally, David Deaton of WKLO joins with a recap of an Orleans girls' basketball 54-51 win over Trinity Lutheran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca go back to school! They discuss the latest wild and crazy state/church violations in public schools reported to their organizations, the postscript on the Coach Kennedy case, and the alarming move by Oklahoma to create the first religious public school. Background Pray to Play report Prayer Walks and Public Schools report We Dissent Episode 5 – You, Coach Kennedy, are no Tim Tebow   Complaints Discussed Auburn University football team baptism Baptism in Charlotte County Public Schools, FL  “Jesus and Germs are Everywhere” sign in Victor Valley Union High School District, CA Prayer walk in Marion County Public Schools, FL   Cases Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) Liz Cavell, FFRF - “Praying coach's actions do not alter the Constitution” Hiram Sasser, First Liberty - “School district that fired praying coach Joe Kennedy under investigation, again” Stone v. Graham (1980) Trinity Lutheran v. Comer (2017) Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue (2020) St. Isidore Charter School Lawsuit - OKPLAC v. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (2023) Attorney General O'Connor's December 2022 letter FFRF's January 2023 memo Attorney General Drummond's February 2023 letter Engel v. Vitale (1962) Resources American Atheists Report a Violation FFRF Report a Violation     Check us out on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.  

In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that to deny a church “an otherwise available public benefit on account of its religious status” is to violate the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution. In that case, Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, a Missouri church that operated a licensed preschool and daycare facility, applied for state “funds for qualifying organizations to purchase recycled tires to resurface playgrounds.”   Trinity Lutheran met all the qualifications of the program, but the state informed them that a grant would violate a state constitutional provision that “no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, section or denomination of religion.” Trinity Lutheran sued, claiming that because of the Free Exercise clause in the First Amendment, a government benefit cannot be withheld solely because of religion. In his majority decision, Chief Justice Roberts agreed, writing, “the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church, is odious to our Constitution all the same, and cannot stand.”   The Trinity Lutheran case was only six years ago but, in a case of “those who forget history are doomed to repeat it,” Colorado is the latest state to “forget” something about which the Court has been very clear.  This is the inaugural year of Colorado's Universal Preschool Program, which funds 15 hours of preschool per week for every child in the state. To be a part of the program, the state is requiring that preschools sign a “service agreement” that includes a commitment to “not discriminate” on the basis of sexual orientation or so-called “gender identity.”  In August, the Denver Catholic Archdiocese, which operates 36 preschools and serves 1,500 kids a year, filed a lawsuit, noting that this “service agreement” would force them to hire teachers and administrators who do not hold to their faith commitments. Not only is this a case of “Trinity Lutheran all over again,” but it is another chapter in the never-ending story of public officials pressuring Christians to keep their faith out of public life.   Recently in Massachusetts, state officials denied an adoption license to a Catholic couple, claiming their faith made them “unsupportive” of transgender ideology. The state of Oregon similarly denied an adoption license to a young, widowed mother because she would not commit to taking a hypothetically gender-confused child to a gender clinic.    Years ago in a Breakpoint commentary, Chuck Colson described the jury selection process in the trial of Jack Kevorkian, the doctor accused of helping at least 27 of his patients kill themselves. Kevorkian's lawyer attempted to bar anyone who said their Christian faith forbids suicide from serving on the jury, claiming that belief made them unfairly biased.  "Religion has been increasingly relegated to the private sphere. Christians are welcome to participate in public life only if they leave their faith at home … [but] [t]he logic of Kevorkian's defense attorney could be applied to any criminal trial. If potential jurors can be excluded for believing that assisted suicide is immoral, what will be the next step? Will the attorneys of accused murderers be permitted to exclude jurors whose religion teaches that life is sacred?"  More than 25 years later, that dismal hypothetical seems less hypothetical. As the Colorado, Massachusetts, and Oregon stories reveal, some public officials are so hostile to the Christian faith, they would rather allow children in foster care to sleep on office floors in government buildings and remain in juvenile detention facilities than go to a home with religious parents.  Of course, there must aways be moral restrictions around who can and cannot adopt children and operate a preschool. Restrictions are necessary to protect children. However, some states are now operating from a moral framework that is exactly backward. The biblical woes against those who call right wrong and wrong right apply as much to government programs as they do to individuals.   It is a grave mistake to use irrational and false moral claims as the basis for these moral restrictions. In this upside-down world, children must be protected from religion rather than ideologies that threaten their minds, hearts, bodies, and most importantly relationships. Claiming to protect children, they are instead put in danger, subject to irreversible physical, psychological, and emotional damage.  Given how clear the Supreme Court has been about states discriminating against religious institutions, I suspect the state of Colorado will be forced to change this policy. Given how willing the state of Colorado is to defy clear Court teachings and target people of faith, I suspect they will resist for as long as possible. In the meantime, children will suffer because of the state's bigotry. If people of faith are told they “need not apply” for adoption licenses, preschool programs, serving on juries, feeding the homeless, advocating for the preborn, or caring for the sick and dying, who do they imagine will take their place?  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Maria Baer. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson Featuring Pastor and Author, Ryan Tinetti Tanner Olson is joined by author and pastor, Ryan Tinetti. Pastor Ryan Tinetti is a graduate of Michigan State and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and received his doctorate from Duke Divinity School. He is the author of ⁠Preaching by Heart⁠. He and his wife, Anne, have four children and live in Arcadia, Michigan where he is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran.  ⁠https://www.preachingbyheart.com/⁠ Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Support the Ministry ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Wear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Clothing Line ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Speak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Website) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book me!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire about an event Books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Walk A Little Slower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A Collection of Poems and Other Words ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Poems and Prayers of Hope ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As You Go⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Words for the Unknown ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I'm All Over the Place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to writtentospeak@gmail.com Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.writtentospeak.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. The music for this podcast is by Matt Doering. Find more of Matt's work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mattdoeringmusic.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Tanner Olson Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner's writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ writtentospeak.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson Featuring Pastor and Author, Ryan Tinetti Tanner Olson is joined by author and pastor, Ryan Tinetti. Pastor Ryan Tinetti is a graduate of Michigan State and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and received his doctorate from Duke Divinity School. He is the author of ⁠Preaching by Heart⁠. He and his wife, Anne, have four children and live in Arcadia, Michigan where he is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran.  ⁠https://www.preachingbyheart.com/⁠ Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Support the Ministry ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Wear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Clothing Line ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Speak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Website) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book me!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire about an event Books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Walk A Little Slower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A Collection of Poems and Other Words ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Poems and Prayers of Hope ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As You Go⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Words for the Unknown ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I'm All Over the Place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to writtentospeak@gmail.com Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.writtentospeak.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. The music for this podcast is by Matt Doering. Find more of Matt's work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mattdoeringmusic.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Tanner Olson Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner's writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ writtentospeak.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson Featuring Pastor and Author, Ryan Tinetti Tanner Olson is joined by author and pastor, Ryan Tinetti. Pastor Ryan Tinetti is a graduate of Michigan State and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and received his doctorate from Duke Divinity School. He is the author of ⁠Preaching by Heart⁠. He and his wife, Anne, have four children and live in Arcadia, Michigan where he is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran.  ⁠https://www.preachingbyheart.com/⁠ Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Support the Ministry ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Wear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Clothing Line ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Speak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Website) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book me!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire about an event Books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Walk A Little Slower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A Collection of Poems and Other Words ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Poems and Prayers of Hope ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As You Go⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Words for the Unknown ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I'm All Over the Place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to writtentospeak@gmail.com Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.writtentospeak.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. The music for this podcast is by Matt Doering. Find more of Matt's work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mattdoeringmusic.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Tanner Olson Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner's writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ writtentospeak.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and @writtentospeak on Instagram.

Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson Featuring Pastor and Author, Ryan Tinetti Tanner Olson is joined by author and pastor, Ryan Tinetti. Pastor Ryan Tinetti is a graduate of Michigan State and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and received his doctorate from Duke Divinity School. He is the author of Preaching by Heart. He and his wife, Anne, have four children and live in Arcadia, Michigan where he is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran.  https://www.preachingbyheart.com/ Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Support the Ministry ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Wear⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Clothing Line ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Written to Speak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Website) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book me!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire about an event Books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Walk A Little Slower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A Collection of Poems and Other Words ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Poems and Prayers of Hope ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As You Go⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Words for the Unknown ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I'm All Over the Place⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to writtentospeak@gmail.com Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.writtentospeak.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. The music for this podcast is by Matt Doering. Find more of Matt's work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mattdoeringmusic.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Tanner Olson Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner's writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ writtentospeak.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and @writtentospeak on Instagram.

We look at the work being done to restore the historic Trinity Lutheran Church. We speak with the local TikToker known as the Trans Handy Ma'am. We learn about the Midwest surfing scene from the owner of the Lake Effect Surf Shop in Shorewood. Plus, bring you the first episode of our new music series Live at Lake Effect.

Pastor Tyler Arnold joins Steph to talk about the vital role that visitation plays in the life of the Christian community. Author of the recent release Pastoral Visitation: For the Care of Souls (available from Lexham Press), Pastor Arnold makes a compelling case for church members to pay visit to one another and for pastors to visit their people – to be with one another as the fellowship of believers is a good way to do life together. Learn about what Pastor Arnold describes as this “with” way in Episode 48! Bio: Tyler C. Arnold was born August 23, 1973 in Alton, Illinois. He graduated from Roxana High School in 1991 and Concordia University, River Forest in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and graduated in 1999 with a Master of Divinity degree. In 2019, Pastor Arnold received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN in the area of Pastoral Care. Pastor Arnold has served as a parish pastor since 1999. He was the Assistant Pastor at Christ Lutheran, Platte Woods, MO. from 1999-2004. In 2004 he accepted a Divine Call to serve as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Millstadt, IL. He later returned to Christ Lutheran in Platte Woods in 2006 to serve as Sr. Pastor where he served until 2022. He is currently Pastor at Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, MO. Pastor Arnold has served on the Board of Congregational Support for the Southern Illinois District, as the Chairman for the Committee on Structure and Administration for the Missouri District as well as the District's Structure and Administration Task Force (Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden was the Chairman of the Task Force). He has also served on the Board of Directors at Unity Lutheran School in East St. Louis, IL as well as Pastoral Advisor to the Executive Council of the Northland Lutheran School Association in the Kansas City Northland. He served for nine years as a Circuit Visitor and on various District program and conference committees. Currently, he serves as a member of the Board of Regents for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and is a “Fellow” on the Collegium of Pastors for DOXOLOGY – The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel. Pastor Arnold is the author of the book, Pastoral Visitation: For the Care of Souls published by Lexham Press. He has written articles published in by the LCMS blog, The Lutheran Witness, SEELSORGER – A Journal for the Contemporary Cure of Souls, LOGIA and Christianity Today. He also wrote a Bible study called, Finding Balance and Perspective in Ministry published by the LCMS. He has been a speaker at District Pastors Conferences and various retreats on the topic of the care of souls. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to Andrea (nee Thur) in 1995 at Holy Cross Lutheran in Ste. Genevieve, MO where her father served as pastor at the time. They are blessed with two sons: Jacob, 25, a graduate of Missouri State University lives in Herculaneum, MO and works for Roeslein and Associates and Benjamin, 22, is a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. His Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) is signals intelligence. Learn about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life, and email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Due to weather and sickness, we are not putting out a live show this week. But we don't want to leave you with nothing. With so many congregations seeking pastors we thought we would reach back into the archive and share a podcast with you on the call. It was first recorded when Pastor Harley was running solo on the podcast and was serving at Trinity Lutheran in South Dakota. We can't wait to be live again and sharing with you more of real life and living faith.  Email: castingnetspod@gmail.com Watch the video on facebook: www.facebook.com/castingnetspodcast Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/castingnetspod

Thank you for listening to another Neighbors United in Christ Parish worship service brought to you by the churches of Deronda, Little Falls, and Trinity Lutheran.  We are led in service by Loren Teig.  Debbie Teig and Jim Haugerud provide the music and Eileen Flatten does the children's message and the readings.  Please consider donating at NUICParish.org so we can continue to provide these podcasts near and far.  

As mentioned in our previous episode, September is our History Month in honor of Angela Romero, and in this first episode of the series Amanda visits her childhood church Trinity Lutheran Church which just celebrated its centennial this summer. Pastor Nathan Hoff who has been with the church for seventeen years as head pastor and Sue Scott, retired Deaconess and long time member, share with us Trinity Lutheran's fascinating origin story. Trinity Lutheran, originally founded in 1921 in San Pedro, has deep roots in our early Norwegian fisherman community. Pastor Nathan also shares the theology and basis behind Lutheranism, its role in the Christian denomination spectrum and also addresses what he refers to as “church hurt”. You'll also hear some personal stories from Sue Scott about her introduction to Trinity in 1980 as an intern where she met her husband Tobiah Scott. The Scott family has been part of Trinity Lutheran since the late 1950's when Bob Scott, Tobiah Scott's father spearheaded the renovation of the church facade which is still standing today. This was such a fun episode, especially for Amanda, who grew up in this church as well as with Sue and Tobiah's daughter and still remain very close to the family. Be sure to check out this week's Patreon episode where Sue shares personal and funny stories of Amanda growing up. You'll also get the extended interview of this episode: patreon.com/hellosanpedro. Share this episode and information with friends, family or co-workers and leave us a review. Follow and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. You can also support the podcast by becoming a patron at patreon.com/hellosanpedro where you'll get access to bonus episodes and more. Follow us on instagram for more San Pedro content at @hellosppodcast. Thanks for listening, – Amanda + Jess LINKS: Our website https://www.hellosanpedro.com/ Trinity Lutheran Church Website https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/ Trinity Lutheran Church History https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/history Pastor Nathan Hoff's Interview with Pastor Hoffman Trinity San Pedro Era Three Growing 1956-1960 Trinity Lutheran Church Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trinitysanpedro Live Stream Service https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/live Service Schedule - Sunday Worship Gatherings at 9:30 am and 5 pm https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/service-times Trinity Lutheran Church 1450 W 7th Street San Pedro, CA 90732 310-832-1189 office@trinitysanpedro.org Thank you to Rock Ashfield at Palm Realty Boutique for the generous recording space at Palm Realty Boutique. Palm Realty Boutique San Pedro 255 W 6th St. San Pedro, CA 90731

Does the Constitution require our government to fund religion? In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court says, for the first time, that if a state has a program that includes funding for private schools it must also provide funding for religious schools. In this episode, Amanda and Holly examine the Carson v. Makin decision, which shows how the Supreme Court is shifting further and further away from the Establishment Clause's protections of religious liberty for all. They explore the Court's “bait and switch” to make this radical shift seem not so bad, and they look at all of the reasons the Framers thought it was smart to avoid government funding of religion. In segment three, Amanda and Holly review the latest misleading headlines that conflate “religious liberty” with a promotion of free exercise rights at the expense of Establishment Clause protections.    SHOW NOTES Segment 1: A radical shift in religious liberty law (starting at 03:50) You can contact Amanda and Holly with your thoughts on the show by writing to RespectingReligion@BJConline.org. Amanda Tweeted her reaction to the Dobbs decision on Friday, June 24. You can see her Tweet thread here.  Holly and Amanda recorded this episode before the Court released its opinion in the Kennedy v. Bremerton case on June 27, 2022. They will analyze that case in the next episode of Respecting Religion. Access BJC's resources on Carson v. Makin at BJConline.org/CarsonvMakin, including the brief we joined, Holly's article for our winter magazine, and our statement on decision day.  Read the Supreme Court decision in Carson v. Makin at this link. We mentioned the two recent cases that led to this case: Trinity Lutheran v. Comer: BJConline.org/TrinityLutheran Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: BJConline.org/Espinoza   Segment 2: Where's the Establishment Clause?  (starting at 19:18) Holly and Amanda mentioned these cases when discussing how the Court abandoned the “play in the joints” principle in religious freedom law and the impact of this case in state funding of religious schools:  Locke v. Davey (2004) Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002) Amanda quoted from the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson. Holly quoted from Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, written by James Madison.   Segment #3: More misleading headlines (starting at 33:02) Amanda and Holly discussed this New York Times newsletter written by Ian Prasad Philbrick: A Pro-Religion Court. It also links to a piece by Adam Liptak with some misleading shorthand, titled Supreme Court Rejects Maine's Ban on Aid to Religious Schools. Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. 

Co-Hosts: Adam Sommer, Rachel Parker, Sean DillerAdam's OpenTalkin' PoliticsSUPREME COURT TERM ENDINGDOBBS V. JACKSON - STATES CAN MAKE ABORTION ILLEGALMissouri is first in the nation: https://www.newsweek.com/missouri-bans-all-abortions-minutes-after-scotus-ruling-overturning-roe-1718967Josh Hawley Wants You To Move Out: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article262849238.htmlWhat is a “D&C”https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/dilation-and-curettage-d-and-cMissouri statute Sec. 1.205: Life Begins At Conception, unborn have protectable interests in life, health, and well-being, natural parents have protectable interest in the life, health and well being of unborn child - those are real actual words in missouri lawUnborn child is defined to include all unborn children or the offspring of human being from the moment of conception until birth at every stage of biological development MO Stat, Sec. 188.015 defines abortion, 188.017 makes them illegal, updated June 24, 2022"Conception", the fertilization of the ovum of a female by a sperm of a male;Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no abortion shall be performed or induced upon a woman, except in cases of medical emergency. Any person who knowingly performs or induces an abortion of an unborn child in violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a class B felony, as well as subject to suspension or revocation of his or her professional license by his or her professional licensing board. A woman upon whom an abortion is performed or induced in violation of this subsection shall not be prosecuted for a conspiracy to violate the provisions of this subsection.  3. It shall be an affirmative defense for any person alleged to have violated the provisions of subsection 2 of this section that the person performed or induced an abortion because of a medical emergency. The defendant shall have the burden of persuasion that the defense is more probably true than not."Medical emergency", a condition which, based on reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert the death of the pregnant woman or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman;THOMAS'S CONCURRANCE: “For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including: Griswold - contraceptive useLawrence - right to engage in private sexual acts (same sex)Obergefell - marriage equalityhttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization/MAINE - PUBLIC MONEY TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLShttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/carson-v-makin/Holding: Maine's “nonsectarian” requirement for otherwise generally available tuition assistance payments to parents who live in school districts that do not operate a secondary school of their own violates the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.Actual opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-1088_dbfi.pdfMaine residents in places with schools that don't provide secondary education can use tuition assistance for kids to attend other schools - previously could NOT use that money for religious schoolsRuling is that it violates the free exercise clauseAllows for use of public funds for religious instructionThe Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protects against “indirect coercion or penalties on the free exercise of religion, not just outright prohibitions.”Missouri case Trinity Lutheran v. Comer about using public money for playground equipment in 2017The “unremarkable” principles applied in Trinity Lutheran and Espinoza suffice to resolve this case. Maine offers its citizens a benefit: tuition assistance payments for any family whose school district does not provide a public secondary school. Just like the wide range of nonprofit organizations eligible to receive playground resurfacing grants in Trinity Lutheran, a wide range of private schools are eligible to receive Maine tuition assistance payments here. And like the daycare center in Trinity Lutheran, BCS and Temple Academy are disqualified from this generally available benefit “solely because of their religious character.” 582 U. S., at ___ (slip op., at 10). By “condition[ing] the availability of benefits” in that manner, Maine's tuition assistance program—like the program in Trinity Lutheran—“effectively penalizes the free exercise” of religion. Ibid. (quoting McDaniel, 435 U. S., at 626 (plurality opinion)).BREYER: The First Amendment begins by forbidding the government from “mak[ing] [any] law respecting an establishment of religion.” It next forbids them to make any law “prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Court today pays almost no attention to the words in the first Clause while giving almost exclusive attention to the words in the second. In a word, to interpret the two Clauses as if they were joined at the hip will work against their basic purpose: to allow for an American society with practitioners of over 100 different religions, and those who do not practice religion at all, to live together without serious risk of religion-based social divisions. We have previously found, as the majority points out, that “a neutral benefit program in which public funds flow to religious organizations through the independent choices of private benefit recipients does not offend the Establishment Clause.” Ante, at 10 (citing Zelman, 536 U. S., at 652– 653). We have thus concluded that a State may, consistent with the Establishment Clause, provide funding to religious schools through a general public funding program if the “government aid . . . reach[es] religious institutions only by way of the deliberate choices of . . . individual [aid] recipients.” Id., at 652. But the key word is “may.” We have never previously held what the Court holds today, namely, that a State must (not may) use state funds to pay for religious education as part of a tuition program designed to ensure the provision of free statewide public school education. What happens once “may” becomes “must”? Does that transformation mean that a school district that pays for public schools must pay equivalent funds to parents who wish to send their children to religious schools? Does it mean that school districts that give vouchers for use at charter schools must pay equivalent funds to parents who wish to give their children a religious education? What other social benefits are there the State's provision of which means—under the majority's interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause—that the State must pay parents for the religious equivalent of the secular benefit provided? NEW YORK - STATES CANNOT REGULATE GUNShttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/new-york-state-rifle-pistol-association-inc-v-bruen/NEW YORK LAW required permit for conceal and carryRuling is that BASED ON THE 14TH AMENDMENT (YEAH THAT SAME ONE) it is an individual liberty interest protected by the 14th (that's not a joke) https://heartlandpod.com/Twitter: @TheHeartlandPODChange The Conversation

Co-Hosts: Adam Sommer, Rachel Parker, Sean DillerAdam's OpenTalkin' PoliticsSUPREME COURT TERM ENDINGDOBBS V. JACKSON - STATES CAN MAKE ABORTION ILLEGALMissouri is first in the nation: https://www.newsweek.com/missouri-bans-all-abortions-minutes-after-scotus-ruling-overturning-roe-1718967Josh Hawley Wants You To Move Out: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article262849238.htmlWhat is a “D&C”https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/dilation-and-curettage-d-and-cMissouri statute Sec. 1.205: Life Begins At Conception, unborn have protectable interests in life, health, and well-being, natural parents have protectable interest in the life, health and well being of unborn child - those are real actual words in missouri lawUnborn child is defined to include all unborn children or the offspring of human being from the moment of conception until birth at every stage of biological development MO Stat, Sec. 188.015 defines abortion, 188.017 makes them illegal, updated June 24, 2022"Conception", the fertilization of the ovum of a female by a sperm of a male;Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no abortion shall be performed or induced upon a woman, except in cases of medical emergency. Any person who knowingly performs or induces an abortion of an unborn child in violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a class B felony, as well as subject to suspension or revocation of his or her professional license by his or her professional licensing board. A woman upon whom an abortion is performed or induced in violation of this subsection shall not be prosecuted for a conspiracy to violate the provisions of this subsection.  3. It shall be an affirmative defense for any person alleged to have violated the provisions of subsection 2 of this section that the person performed or induced an abortion because of a medical emergency. The defendant shall have the burden of persuasion that the defense is more probably true than not."Medical emergency", a condition which, based on reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert the death of the pregnant woman or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman;THOMAS'S CONCURRANCE: “For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including: Griswold - contraceptive useLawrence - right to engage in private sexual acts (same sex)Obergefell - marriage equalityhttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization/MAINE - PUBLIC MONEY TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLShttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/carson-v-makin/Holding: Maine's “nonsectarian” requirement for otherwise generally available tuition assistance payments to parents who live in school districts that do not operate a secondary school of their own violates the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.Actual opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-1088_dbfi.pdfMaine residents in places with schools that don't provide secondary education can use tuition assistance for kids to attend other schools - previously could NOT use that money for religious schoolsRuling is that it violates the free exercise clauseAllows for use of public funds for religious instructionThe Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protects against “indirect coercion or penalties on the free exercise of religion, not just outright prohibitions.”Missouri case Trinity Lutheran v. Comer about using public money for playground equipment in 2017The “unremarkable” principles applied in Trinity Lutheran and Espinoza suffice to resolve this case. Maine offers its citizens a benefit: tuition assistance payments for any family whose school district does not provide a public secondary school. Just like the wide range of nonprofit organizations eligible to receive playground resurfacing grants in Trinity Lutheran, a wide range of private schools are eligible to receive Maine tuition assistance payments here. And like the daycare center in Trinity Lutheran, BCS and Temple Academy are disqualified from this generally available benefit “solely because of their religious character.” 582 U. S., at ___ (slip op., at 10). By “condition[ing] the availability of benefits” in that manner, Maine's tuition assistance program—like the program in Trinity Lutheran—“effectively penalizes the free exercise” of religion. Ibid. (quoting McDaniel, 435 U. S., at 626 (plurality opinion)).BREYER: The First Amendment begins by forbidding the government from “mak[ing] [any] law respecting an establishment of religion.” It next forbids them to make any law “prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Court today pays almost no attention to the words in the first Clause while giving almost exclusive attention to the words in the second. In a word, to interpret the two Clauses as if they were joined at the hip will work against their basic purpose: to allow for an American society with practitioners of over 100 different religions, and those who do not practice religion at all, to live together without serious risk of religion-based social divisions. We have previously found, as the majority points out, that “a neutral benefit program in which public funds flow to religious organizations through the independent choices of private benefit recipients does not offend the Establishment Clause.” Ante, at 10 (citing Zelman, 536 U. S., at 652– 653). We have thus concluded that a State may, consistent with the Establishment Clause, provide funding to religious schools through a general public funding program if the “government aid . . . reach[es] religious institutions only by way of the deliberate choices of . . . individual [aid] recipients.” Id., at 652. But the key word is “may.” We have never previously held what the Court holds today, namely, that a State must (not may) use state funds to pay for religious education as part of a tuition program designed to ensure the provision of free statewide public school education. What happens once “may” becomes “must”? Does that transformation mean that a school district that pays for public schools must pay equivalent funds to parents who wish to send their children to religious schools? Does it mean that school districts that give vouchers for use at charter schools must pay equivalent funds to parents who wish to give their children a religious education? What other social benefits are there the State's provision of which means—under the majority's interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause—that the State must pay parents for the religious equivalent of the secular benefit provided? NEW YORK - STATES CANNOT REGULATE GUNShttps://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/new-york-state-rifle-pistol-association-inc-v-bruen/NEW YORK LAW required permit for conceal and carryRuling is that BASED ON THE 14TH AMENDMENT (YEAH THAT SAME ONE) it is an individual liberty interest protected by the 14th (that's not a joke) https://heartlandpod.com/Twitter: @TheHeartlandPOD"Change The Conversation"