Podcasts

Awaken, confront, transform: that’s what we’re talking about when we say “ACT to End Racism.”  Awakening to racism means listening to the difficult truths and confronting the racism in ourselves and our institutions.

My guest this week is Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker.  David has spent most of his career transforming conflicts in some of the most difficult spaces on the planet.  He’s not only the guest of this podcast, but he’s also our keynote speaker for the Christian Unity Gathering, October 14-17.  David is full of practical ways for churches to be part of God’s transforming work. He’s also one of the more enthusiastic and inspiring guests I’ve had on this podcast.

 

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What’s the most important thing you can do between now and November 6th?  

My guest today is LaKesha Womack, founder of the Womack Consulting Group, and leader of a series of webinars hosted by the National Council of Churches this fall.  What’s the most important thing you can do between now and November 6th? You can make sure you’re registered to vote, get educated, join with others to make sure your congregation is educated, and most of all, VOTE.  Oh, and you should join the webinars LaKesha is leading.

Important links:

• Womack Consulting Group
• LaKesha’s books on Amazon
• Webinar series

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An interview with Rev. Annette Flynn

In late July we heard from Phil Woodson, a pastor in Charlottesville, Virginia, who alerted us of a major action there on August 12.  Today Charlottesville has become synonymous with the violence that erupted there as counter-protesters clashed with the “Unite the Right” rally.  

My guest today is a long-time friend who attended because she believed she was called to be there.  There are many people we could have on this podcast to speak about their experience in Charlottesville, but Rev. Annette Flynn is noteworthy because she is one of a handful of clergy across the United States that simply answered a call to be there.  Her story is one of simple, clear, passionate faith, and I hope it inspires you today. It sure does inspire me.

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an interview with Dr. Gwynne Guibord of the Guibord Center

As it seems to become more and more difficult to have discussions that cross party lines, the faith community has resources that could be models for every kind of difficult discussion.  Going far beyond the typical models of dialogue, Gwynne Guibord is bringing people together from different faiths in Southern California.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Guibord, director of a center that is partnering with the National Council of Churches on two new high-level dialogues between Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus.  We will speak with Gwynne today to learn more about her center, what’s unique about her approach, and how encountering another faith can deepen our own.

Important links:

• The Guibord Center
• Announcement of New NCC Dialogues

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An interview with Rev. Michael Neuroth

As the war in Afghanistan continues into its 16th year, the United States continues down a course of continual warfare and blank-check funding of the American military.  Use of force often seems as though it’s both a first and last resort.  But the little-known US Institute of Peace maintains an important place in the American diplomatic sphere.

As the federal budget debate gets underway, the US Institute of Peace’s funding is on the chopping block.  Today we will talk with Rev. Michael Neuroth, Policy Advocate for International Issues in the Washington office of the United Church of Christ.  Mike will fill us in on this important institution, its Christian beginnings, and how its future can be bolstered by people like you.  If you believe in peacemaking, listen carefully to what Mike has to say.

 

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After hinting at it for weeks, President Trump this week announced his plan to do away with the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, over the next six months, as he urges Congress to take up the matter of replacing it with solid legislation.  Activists fear that Congress, with an already full agenda, will not be able to act, and as many as 800,000 persons will be at risk.  

Today we talk with Rev. Noel Andersen with Church World Service.  Noel has been working for years with immigrants and offers many key insights into DACA, the Dream Act, and the state of limbo President Trump’s latest decision leaves these young people who, for the most part, have never known any home other than the United States.

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In recent months the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, has become a rallying point for groups on the farthest right reaches of American politics.  Neo Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, and alt-Right groups are protesting the decision by the Charlottesville City Council to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee, and this weekend a rally is scheduled in which these racist groups will converge.

This week we will speak with Rev. Phil Woodson, Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Phil has had a front-row seat to the disturbances that have taken place over the past months, as First United Methodist Church faces the statue of Robert E. Lee that’s been at the center of the controversy.  A call to clergy across the nation has been issued, and if you’re hearing this in time, I hope you’ll consider coming to stand in solidarity with the clergy of Charlottesville.

Important links:

• www.congregatecville.com

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The weather is warm and it’s finally gardening season.  Traveling through just about any community, you’ll see community gardens springing up everywhere, and churches are getting in on the act also!  More than just a hobby, more and more congregations are seeing community gardens as a way of improving the lives of the poor.

My guest this week is Nathan Hosler, director of the Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren.  Nate will share with us what he has seen churches doing in the way of community gardening in spots across the globe.  You’ll also hear about an unexpected encounter we had a short time ago in the strangest of places.  Get your gardening gloves on and listen carefully.

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