Church attendance is on the decline. And the pandemic might not be to blame. Church attendance was falling even before 2020 among every major religion and subgroup.
Coming up this weekend, the United Church on the Green is welcoming Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. This historic church in New Haven played a key part of the abolitionist movement.
Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. is going to be the church's first black minister. Today, he joins us to talk about his hopes for this historic church, and welcoming a new generation of parishioners.
And later, we hear from the Yale Divinity School and learn about their involvement in an exciting project called the Living Village Project which broke ground last week. The Living Village is going to be a net-positive-energy building that will provide affordable housing to students.
GUESTS:

Reverend Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr: United Church on the Green in New Haven
Dean Gregory Sterling: Dean of Yale Divinity School; The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament
Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Reverend Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr. of United Church on the Green

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

News

Government

This week, Muslims across the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Today, we are hearing from Muslims around Connecticut celebrating this sacred and special time honoring those who have made the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj.
We’ll hear from Connecticut residents, including one who is making the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj. If you’re celebrating this holiday, we want to hear from you.
GUESTS:


Khaleel Rahman: a producer with Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public


Imam Safwan Shaikh: Farmington Valley American Muslim Center


Asif Chaudhry: Connecticut resident taking a Eid-al-Adha pilgrimage this year


Dia Fortenberry: Assistant Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Wesleyan University and Speakers Bureau with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut


Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is marked with pilgrimage, charity and community

In the LGBTQ community, “found” or “chosen family” can be crucial. It's the idea of a social support system beyond your biological family, and one of the themes Ella Dawson explores in her book, But How Are You, Really?
This hour, the sex and culture columnist from Connecticut joins us to discuss her first novel, found family, burnout, second-chance romances, and much more.
GUESTS:

Ella Dawson: Sex and Culture Critic; Author, "But How Are You, Really?"
Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex and culture critic Ella Dawson highlights the importance of 'found family' in her fiction debut

Fools and wise man, come hither! This summer’s day program of Where We Live will dedicate an hour to the master of comedy and tragedy alike, Sir William Shakespeare.
Outdoor productions of William Shakespeare’s plays go back to well…the time of William Shakespeare! And every summer this tradition comes alive on stages across Connecticut.
Today, we talk about Shakespeare in the park, the common and even - the sound! We’re joined by thespians across the state staging productions of this iconic playwright. 
GUESTS:

James Bundy: Dean and Artistic Director of the David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre
Laura Sheehen: Co-founder of Capital Classics Theatre Company in Hartford
Aaron Simms: Managing and Producing Director of Shakespeare on the Sound in Norwalk, Connecticut

Theater companies featured in this broadcast, including summer 2024 productions:

Shakespeare on the Sound - Norwalk


June 12- June 30: Romeo and Juliet, Pinkney Park, Rowayton, CT


Breakdancing Shakespeare - Hartford Stage


June 17 – July 27: Hartford Stage


Capital Classics - Hartford


July 10 – August 4: The Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival will feature two full-length productions of Hamlet and The Taming of the Shrew — outdoors — on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.


Shakesperience - Litchfield Hills (Washington Depot, CT)


August 7-11: Romeo and Juliet, River Walk Pavilion, Washington Depot, CT (Free Admission)


Elm Shakespeare - New Haven


August 16 – Sunday, Sept 1: Richard III, Edgerton Park, New Haven (Free Admission)


Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theatre - Middletown

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaking up the summer with some (outdoor) Shakespeare

In Connecticut, there are LGBTQ community centers in New Haven, Norwalk and, most recently, Bridgeport. There have also been recent efforts to launch a queer hub in West Hartford.
These spaces are important for community, safety, resources, and even are associated with reduced suicide risk among LGBTQ youth, according to the Trevor Project.
Connecticut Public reported on the New Haven Pride Center’s move to a larger location in January. They say this will allow them to offer more community resources.
This hour, we hear from Juancarlos Soto, executive director of the New Haven Pride Center. We'll also hear from a researcher who has measured the importance of these community hubs, and the resources they offer.
Plus, we get an update on the policies protecting and restricting LGBTQ rights in the U.S. from The 19th's LGBTQ+ reporter Orion Rummler.
GUESTS:

Orion Rummler: LGBTQ+ Reporter, The 19th
Juancarlos Soto: Executive Director, New Haven Pride Center
Dr. Dani Chiaramonte: Associate Research Scientist, Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Like home to me': Examining the important role Pride Centers play

Connecticut has had its share of intense storms, but this year’s hurricane is expected to be even longer and more intensive than ever before.
Today, we talk about what to expect and how to prepare.
Damage from hurricanes doesn’t just happen on the coast. We hear from farmers inland on how they’re preparing.
Got a question about hurricane season?
GUESTS:

Juliana Barrett: Extension Educator Emerita, University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
Evan Lentz: Assistant Extension Educator of Fruit Production and Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at UConn
Rebecca Toms: Communications Coordinator, UConn Extension- Sustainable Food Systems

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Reverend Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr. of United Church on the Green

Download our free app to listen on your phone