This week I am participating in #PodcastBlackout with fellow podcasters around the country and the world. 

BOOKS:

White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, by CAROL ANDERSON

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism, by ROBIN DIANGELO

Stamped from the Beginning: The definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by IBRAM X. IBRAM 

 

So You Want to Talk about Race, by IJEOMA OLUO

 

How to Be an Antiracist, IBRAM X. KENDI

 

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations about Race, by BEVERLY DANIEL TATUM

 

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (Anniversary), by MICHELLE ALEXANDER

 

 

 

 

BOOKS on RACISM & THE CHURCH:

 

The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, by JEMAR TISBY

 

One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love, by JOHN PERKINS 

 

Reconstructing the Gospel: Finding Freedom from Slaveholder, by JONATHAN WILSON-HARTGROVE

 

ARTICLES:

 

https://religionandpolitics.org/2019/04/02/the-american-churchs-complicity-in-racism-a-conversation-with-jemar-tisby/

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/us/blacks-evangelical-churches.html 

 

PODCAST EPISODES - RACISM AND THE CHURCH:

 

The Gospel And Black History

My Story: Racism & Discrimination in the Church

 

Church Hurts

Racism and the Church: Now That We See It What Will We Do? - Ade Oni

 

 

NON-PROFIT

 

The Bail Project

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project  

 

Act Blue

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ab_mn

 

New York Magazine: Where to Donate

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html

Part II of my conversation with Bill LaMorey who is the Pastor of Calvary Fellowship in West Hartford, CT. Bill talks about the next series coming up this Sunday, "Break Through: Beyond Bad Habits".

Bill can be reached at [email protected]

You can learn more about him and events at Calvary at www.CalvaryHartford.com

I sit down with my friend Bill LaMorey who is the pastor of Calvary Fellowship in West Hartford, CT. I've known Bill for many years so it was a pleasure to talk with him about how he's doing and his vision for dealing with the coronavirus and plans after this is behind us. 

Bill can be reached at [email protected] 

You can also learn more about him and what they are up to at Calvary Fellowship at www.CalvaryHartford.com 

 

Feel free to reach out to me with questions or suggestions at [email protected]

Adam Lewis heard about my podcast and reached out via email. We started an email dialog and then spoke a few times. He agreed to be my guest on this episode to talk about my 52 Places of Worship in 52 Weeks. We also talked about a podcast we listened to from Justin Brierley's "Unbelievable?" and how religious and non-religious can find ground to connect. Adam shares his deep interest in building relationships with others. There are some great takeaways on "listening to people as people".

Contact Face the Sun:  [email protected]

Unbelievable? with host Justin Brierley with guests Ryan Bell and Sean McDowell

This weeks episode is about Street Epistemology. "Epistemology" is best described as "what do you believe, why do you believe it's true and how did you come about realizing this." It's about conducting an interview to distinguish belief and validity. 

Below is a presentation by Anthony Magnabosco on Street Epistemology:

Street Epistemology Workshop with Anthony Magnabosco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQfneO0m4Wk&t=3392s

 

This is an example of SE with Anthony Magnabosco on a college campus:

Street Epistemology: Daniel & Beau | What Else Do We Have But Faith?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpwxM2wNChE&t=1244s

 

Recovering From Religion is an organization that connects others with support, resources, community, and most of all, hope. They have two forms of support - peer support and professional support. 

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

This weeks episode is my take on the movie on Netfix, The Two Popes.

I learned a great deal about the popes and remembered a number of issues from my personal experience in the Catholic church. Everyone's experience is different and perceptions can be different in even the same family. I suppose it depends where you grew up and how you were educated. I think some were told a "mortal sin" was killing someone and others of us were told it was a mortal sin to steal five cents. Fun Times. There were so many different stories I was told that others were not. I'm relieved to be on the other side of it and I hope the move quicker towards healthier decisions for clergy getting married, acceptance of women and LGBTQ. 

If you want to watch the movie, you can find it on Nexflix. The story line is taken from books both popes have written or talks given and from first hand accounts. I'm sure creative liberty was also taken to make the movie. There are still some great quotes that resonate with me still.  

https://www.netflix.com/

I've watched an event put on by 'Unbelievable?' and Premier Christian Radio with Justin Brierley several times. I appreciate Ryan Bell and his perspective in the church and out as an atheist. Sean McDowell and Justin are very respectful and ask some great questions. 

I hope you enjoy the episode. 

If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, feel free to email [email protected] 

 

* [Unbelievable? Live in California: Ryan Bell vs Sean McDowell] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0duoOfy3GXQ)  

 

 

* [Justin Brierley] (https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Presenters/Justin-Brierley)  

 

* [Ryan Bell - Humanist Chaplain at the University of S. California] (https://orsl.usc.edu/about/staff/ryan-bell/)

 

* [Ryan Bell - Center for Inquiry] (https://centerforinquiry.org/speakers/bell-ryan/)

 

* [Sean McDowell - public speaker and author] (https://seanmcdowell.org/)

In the midst of the coronavirus "52 in 52" has been put on 'pause'. We'll pick it up when this virus is behind us. Until then, here are some ideas for episodes. Let me know what you think. Email me at [email protected] or hit me up on my Facebook page or on twitter @facethesun8

Being a stranger in a place of worship can be exhausting. It all started to become a little much so I decided to do what I know a number of people who are religious do. I decided to have a place of worship at  home. I watched a YouTube video of a sermon and did an episode of my take on the message. 

Now that corona virus has hit and each day we hear more news about closings of schools, shops and churches, I'll need to get more creative in the coming weeks ahead. If I can't attend a service then I'll come up with other episodes until I can get back to '52 in 52'. 

Stay safe! And stay tuned!

This church had their first Sunday service ever. I was glad to see their maiden voyage. They have some kinks to work out so I'm keeping the name of the place off the title. I won't be able to check in again until next year after I wrap up my 52 in 52. I'm not sure if they'll still be around then but I'm wishing them well. They seemed like a good crew who just have a steep learning curve. 

I have to wonder when churches like this get started, why they don't partner with other churches in the area and pull together. I'm really curious where this place ends up in their first year.