Today’s episode is a conversation with Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a storyteller, healer, church worker, and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and has devoted her life to creating space, recognition, and belonging for indigenous Christians in a dominant culture church. 

Kelly is one of the hardest working people I know, speaking often at churches, seminaries, and colleges. Leading Sacred Site tours in the Twin Cities, and teaching churches about indigenous culture and the work faith communities can do to accompany native neighbors. She works full time in a congregation in St Anthony MN, and she’s a mother. I was grateful that she carved out some time to talk with me. 

In this episode we talk about Kelly’s work and her sense of call, why it’s important for churches to understand indigenous history, and what the ELCA’s work with Indigenous communities has meant for her. I hope you have as much fun listening, as I did talking, with Kelly Sherman-Conroy.

You can keep up with Kelly's work by visiting her website www.kellysconroy.com.

Kelly's brother, who is mentioned in this episode is Sean Sherman, the founder and CEO of the Sioux Chef, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most influential people in the world.

You can find Joy Harjo's poem "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" here.

Music by orangery from Pixabay

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to share this episode with others and subscribe to receive updates about new episodes. Peace be with you!

My guest today is Sam Rahberg. Sam is a Benedictine, a spiritual director, a writer, and the Director of the Spiritual Direction program at St John’s university and seminary. Sam’s work with leaders in the church around vocation and discernment, and his profound wisdom about the contemplative life, has inspired me for as long as I’ve known him. And I asked him to join me for a conversation about spiritual practice and what the contemplative spiritual tradition can offer Christian communities seeking to live as good and attentive neighbors.

In this episode we talk about what the spiritual mothers and fathers call the unitive vision, contemplation as a way of life, and the tradition of Benedictine spirituality. My conversation with Sam was so much fun and left me dreaming about contemplative communities rooted in neighborhoods and seeking Christ in the face of their neighbor.

You can keep up with Sam's work at www.samuelrahberg.com

Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander by Thomas Merton 

Today's episode is a conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal, who both serve at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. Today we talk about food and the practice of building community around shared meals. We talk about Salem’s love of food ministry and the experiences around hosting a weekly community meal for the Camden neighborhood where the church is located. These two lovely people remind me that small simple community building practices can have outsized impacts, and that we ought never to take the power of the dinner table for granted.

Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill work at the Riverside Innovation Hub, a learning community project housed by Augsburg University. Their work invites congregations to step into their role as public churches and to be the neighbor in their communities. I work closely with these two incredible leaders and the Riverside Innovation Hub team.

In this episode, we talk about their experience in Christian community, their work with the Riverside Innovation hub, and the small simple invitations to be the neighbor. We reflect on practices, the move from anxiety to curiosity, and the need to address the very human experience of grief, in the church and the neighborhood.

We also mention the book Emergent Strategy my adrienne maree brown, which I highly recommend.

You can also follow Geoffrey's creative work on his YouTube Channel GeoGill - YouTube

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay. 

Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. She brings her many years of experience and expertise as a DEI consultant to her work in the church, most recently leading an effort to develop a Racial Equity tool for examining Synod finances.

Nick and Felecia talk about growing up in the Lutheran Church, the practice of DEI in our congregations and neighborhoods, and her congregation's experience amid the uprising following the murder of George Floyd.  Check it out!

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

Pastor Michael Mather is the author of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything: Finding abundant communities in unexpected places," which tells the story of his congregation in Indianapolis discovering the power of asset-based community development. Pastor Mather and Nick discuss the power of amplifying community gifts, learning to hit the pause button, and funding people instead of projects.

Pastor Mather's book is an excellent resource for congregation's looking to connect authentically with their neighbors. So, be sure to check it out!

Music by SergeQuadrado from Pixabay

In today's episode, Nick talks with some friends and church leaders about the nature of Christian community and what it contributes to neighborhoods and the common good. Nick is joined by three incredible guests. 

• Emilie Bouvier is the Director of Organizing at the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA
• Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod
• Pastor Eric Hoffer serves at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, and is a leader in the Webber-Camden neighborhood. 

We talk about why Christian community matters, the impact of community organizing, and the possibilities for the church that inspire us.

Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues and leave a review. Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

Music by https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021

This episode is a conversation with writer, consultant, and citizen, Peter Block. Peter has written a number of books related to community building, citizenship, and a vision of the common good including titles like “The Answer to How is Yes” and “Community: The Structure of Belonging”.  

Peter and Nick talk about the nature of community, the limits of problem solving, and the creative power present in the work of community building for the common good. 

You can learn more and keep up with Peter Block and his work at www.peterblock.com. Keep an eye out for new material from Peter in 2023. 

Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

Episode one! Your host, Nicholas Tangen, introduces himself and the podcast and outlines his hopes for the conversations to come. Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues. 

Thank you, Joel Lurvey for the beautiful intro music!