This episode begins with a fly-by definition of some recurring church words: liturgy, lectionary, liturgical calendarto give context to when this sermon was preached (versus when it’s being released into the wild, wild internet). Send your questions to Heather here!The gospel reading and homily begin at 8:30Luke 3:1-6, NRSVIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the regio...

I am so excited to introduce you to The Rev. Dr. Natalie Vail. Natalie is an ordained spiritualist minister, celtic shaman, acupuncturist, reiki master, among SO many other credentials and specialties. Needless to say, This episode is loaded with information, I seriously catch something new from Natalie every time I listen through this conversation. We talk about a WHOLE lot of rituals and spiritual practices that may be new to you, we talk embodiment and holistic well-being, and dig dee...

A homily based on the following Gospel reading in the Revised Common Lectionary, originally preached at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ordina, CAMark 10:17-31:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall...

A homily based on the following Gospel reading from the Revised Common Lectionary:Meanwhile Herod, the ruler of Judea, had heard about Jesus, whose reputation had become widespread. Some people were saying, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that is why such miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah;” still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” When Herod heard of Jesus, he exclaimed, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the d...

Katherine Spearing is the founder of Tears of Eden, a nonprofit community of support and recovery resources for the many of us who are healing from spiritual abuse. She also the hosts Uncertain podcast, where she highlights stories of survivors, and imagines a better future for spiritual community.We talk about spiritual abuse in this episode. A lot. So take care of yourself if that touches something tender from your own experience. Pay attention to your responses, because all those emotions ...

A reading and homily based on the following gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary:John 15:5-17Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for ...

Ginny Barker is one of those people you can count on to keep it real, and because of that I have loved her from the moment I met her. She was a part of the church plant I helped start in Asheville, North Carolina. We went through a lot of church trauma together, and this conversation is about all of that. Spiritual trauma, dark night of the soul, narcissism in spiritual leadership, and so much more. If this topic touches you personally, I think you can brace yourself for some lightbulb moment...

A homily based on the following reading from the Book of Common Prayer daily office lectionary:Luke 4:16-30When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the p...

The Rev. Hannah Wilder joined me several weeks ago and I know you’re going to love her. Hannah is ordained in the Episcopal Church and among her many roles in the Diocese of San Diego, she is a curate at St. Mark’s City Heights. Hannah is a passionate leader in the work of reconciliation and inclusion, and man, you should hear her preach about justice. We are so lucky to have her as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Hannah and I talk about death, dying, racism, patriarchy, and what the h...

A homily based on the following lectionary readings for the second Sunday of Lent, year B:Mark 8:31-38[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind ...