Linda Holdbrook did not see herself as a person to lead change, but when the recent racial conflict erupted she felt compelled to speak. As a young Black woman, an immigrant of African parents, and a faithful Catholic, Linda realized her voice mattered, and so penned a powerful letter to Bishop McGrattan sharing her vision for how the Church can be the change in today's conflicted world. In this episode of Finding Faith, we hear Linda tell us what she wrote in her letter to her bishop, and how she believes the church can be a leader in moving beyond race.

Credits:

"I Have a Dream" speech, audio - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc.

"Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" - Songwriter: Patricia J. Griffin, Producer: Boyd Matson and Bill Maxwell

"I Have a Dream" speech, photo - Copyright: NPG/Smithsonian

John Snow was a Christian minister, and chief of Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Up until his death 10 years ago, he was writing the history of Christianity among his people, a faith he was deeply proud of. Today, his son Tony continues telling that story with a sense of urgency, about the rich relationship the church once had with his people, how we got lost and divided along the way, and what it will take to once again find the road to reconciliation we long to walk together. 

Music Credits:

"I have decided to follow Jesus" - Virgle Stevens, Philomene Stevens, Cassandra Poucette and Benjamin Stevens; Shauna Kennedy and Lilia Chavez sound production.

"Grace" - Bevani

"Treat You Better" - Nakoda Elementary School; CBC sound production

Note from Tony Snow:

I made an error in the quote that I made regarding Dave Courchene in 1969.

The quote I was referencing comes from "Around The Sacred Fire" by James Treat, speaking about Bob Thomas, a Cherokee Anthropologist who was one of the proponents to bring the Indian Ecumenical Conference to Morley:

“Native people might well have chosen to incorporate Christian traditions into their religious world, Thomas speculated, but most tribal communities in North American have been denied the opportunity to control the natural process of integration. ‘In many Indian communities the church is like a huge crowbar crammed into a delicate machine,’ producing religious factionalism and social fragmentation. ‘Only the native people themselves can integrate a new religion and then use it to make life more consistent for themselves. An outsider cannot do this and usually only succeeds in doing the opposite.’ Invoking both American democracy and Christian social ethics, Thomas challenged church leaders to respect and encourage native religious self determination: ‘Indian communities must have control of their own churches with native leadership in the important institutional niches, so the church can in fact become a Kiowa or a Navajo institution, express this ‘Kiowaness’ or ‘Navajoness,’ be integrated into the life of the people, an be an integrative mechanism itself.” (pg. 107, Treat)

Today we talk to Rev. Greg Smith, pastor of the Lutheran Church of our Saviour in Calgary. Rev. Smith is a white pastor, who just moved from the southern States, who had not spoken out against racism in the past. This time, he did. Rev. Smith was featured on CTV for leading the first demonstration in Calgary after the death of George Floyd. In this episode, we hear what inspired him to finally speak out against racism, and the conversations he realizes he must now lead among his own community.

In this post-literal world of digital media, artists may be the most important evangelists in our time, those who live on the border of culture and dialogue in symbols, images, and metaphors. But who are the artists standing on the border of Church and culture, and what do they understand about our world today that the Church is not hearing? In this episode of Finding Faith we talk to Yuan Wang, a young adult who was recently baptized a Christian, and as a media artist now has a passion to reveal God through the beauty he sees in culture. 

After high school, Raquel Neeser-Carazo set off on a journey across country in search of herself. That journey revealed unexpected lessons on how to become an authentic witness of courage, faith, and love to others. Raquel talks about the challenge of living as a young Christian in a secular culture, and how she overcame her fear of being rejected by others.

As the well-being of millions were threatened, the COVID-19 pandemic sent the world into lockdown at a scale never experienced before. In the midst of this, the local parish has been faced with  empty pews, devastating financial loss, and uncertainty about how to adapt to the inevitable changes of traditional life.  As Fr. Cristino rejoins Finding Faith, he challenges listeners to focus not on the troubling circumstances, but on the hope that is at the heart of the Church. 

Dr. Thomas Bouchard,  medical director of the Father Lacombe long-term care centres in southeast Calgary, one of the hardest hit regions of COVID-19 in Alberta, reflects on the remarkable character of those on the front-line of the pandemic, and the lessons we have all learned from these unexpected heroes on how to build a compassionate society.

After unexpectedly finding himself helping ex-convicts get their life back together, Peter Worsley reflects on his 17 years as a prison chaplain, and what he has learned about freedom, forgiveness, and being human.

At the end of the podcast Peter offered to connect with anyone wanting support, or interested in learning more about the work of prison ministry. Here's his info: Mennonite Central Committee at 403-275-6935 (or at [email protected])

As society begins to become anxious about the current and future state of affairs in this pandemic reality, Fr. Cristino thoughtfully responds to the big questions for which we are seeking answers. Enjoy the first full length and unedited interview on Finding Faith!

The concept of social distancing has now redefined all our lives – and for millions of people that impact is felt most clearly at home. It has forced families to look more closely at dynamics within the home, and it’s also raised challenges or families who relied on going to church to shape their faith identity. Suddenly, families are stranded in a kind of spiritual wilderness, with literally no where to go to be fed in faith. In this podcast you will hear two parents talk about the different challenges they have faced finding faith among the only people they can turn to - those at home.