Connectional

Not sure what kind of listening mood you're in? Check out this teaser trailer. Get soothed during this time of crazy chaos.

In these stressful days of quarantine, Pastor Amy VanValkenburg is a calming joy to listen to. The pastor of Joyful Spirit Deer Creek/Wadena in Wadena, Minnesota, population 4,088, she is also an ESL teacher, English teacher, women's studies major, mother of three, and farm-girl. Our conversation touches on the joys and challenges of rural living, how to be an activist in a small town, respecting those who are different from you, and bivocational life. ALSO get a special extra question at the end: why did Katy and Malachi decide to do this podcast?! Tune in!

The Rev. Nick Scutari is a pastor in Tracy, Minnesota, population 2,163, a town in southwestern MN, closer to South Dakota than most of the rest of Minnesota. In this episode we spend a lot of time talking about grief and struggle, about parenting a child with special needs, about trusting and believing in yourself, about rural living, and about the legacy of the the Rev. Clint Evans and what its like to process losing a friend.

Today we diverge from Methodism and reach across the communion table to our Lutheran sister, Emmy Kegler! Rev. Emmy is a pastor, author, and speaker called to ministry at the margins of the church, especially among LGBTQ+ Christians. She serves as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis, a small servant-hearted neighborhood congregation focused on feeding the hungry and community outreach. She is a co-leader of the Queer Grace Community, a group of LGBTQ+ Christians in the Twin Cities who meet for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. She is also the founder and editor of the Queer Grace Encyclopedia, a curated collection of online resources around LGBTQ life and faith. You can find her as a regular guest on “Cafeteria Christian” podcast. (FYI: Recorded in December, we reference Christmas!)

Originally from Texas, the Reverend Nancy Ellis has powerful stories to share about her family's escape from the Jim Crow south. She also has great taste in prank-call-comedy and is a delight to listen to. Recorded at Faith United Methodist Church in St. Anthony, MN. (Fun fact: Throwback! This was our first recorded episode this fall. )