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Join us in keeping a Holy Lent! The theme for this year’s Lenten series is Growing Up in Christ! We get to this theme in response to the opportunity and necessity of us all becoming more mature Christians. Our marriages, families, vocations, state, nation and world all will be better when we decide, with new resolve, to Grow up in Christ! Above all, Growing up in Christ is an active friendship with Jesus that changes us and points us toward the world that he loves. For the next five weeks, we’ll offer a video meditation on this theme with a study companion for you to make the meditations as personal and useful as possible. 

In today’s episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the Jesus' temptations in the wilderness and how Bishop Wright landed on Settled as the opening meditation to the series. In a time filled with anxiety and external pressures, it's vital to ground ourselves in the truth of who we are as beloved children of God. Are we truly settled in our self-worth? Listen in for the full conversation.

Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.

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It was Jesus' habit to pray. He had a rhythm of action and reflection. As Christians in a modern world, prioritizing our time to pray, reflect, and be in relationship with God isn't easy.

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about time, drawing insights from Jesus' practices and Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s teachings. Are we merely consuming our time, or are we engaging with it in a meaningful way? They explore how embracing a mindful approach to daily routine can lead to transformative experiences. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you.” Those are Jesus’ directives to us who call him lord. What a dangerous oddness! The concept of "dangerous oddness," a unique term by Walter Brueggemann, paints a picture of Jesus' countercultural call.

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about redefining society's norm and loving your enemy. They discuss Jesus' guidance, his own response to loving those that curse you, and how we can apply his teachings to our lives. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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Climate change is a real-world problem. Its intricate web connects governance, social justice, and ecological sustainability. Real solutions require moral leadership that reaches far beyond political party and country lines.

In the latest episode of our series on Moral Leadership, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. David Orr, an esteemed environmental scholar, on his journey from international relations to pioneering environmental activism. They discuss the systemic issues surrounding climate change and the ethical responsibilities we all share in safeguarding our planet. Listen in for the full conversation.

Dr. David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics Emeritus at Oberlin College. and presently Professor of Practice at Arizona State University. He is the author of eight books, including Dangerous Years: Climate Change, the Long Emergency, and the Way Forward (Yale University Press, 2017), Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse (Oxford, 2009), Design with Nature (Oxford, 2002), Earth in Mind (Island, 2004) and co-editor of four others including Democracy Unchained (The New Press, 2020). He was a regular columnist for Conservation biology for twenty years. 

He has also written over 250 articles, reviews, book chapters, and professional publications. He has served as a board member or adviser to eight foundations and on the Boards of many organizations including the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and the Bioneers. Currently, he is a Trustee of the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and Children and Nature Network. He has been awarded nine honorary degrees and a dozen other awards including a Lyndhurst Prize, a National Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation, a “Visionary Leadership Award” from Second Nature, a National Leadership award from the U.S. Green Building Council, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Association for Environmental Education, the 2018 Leadership Award from the American Renewable Energy Institute, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Green Energy Ohio.

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Join us for Bishop Wright's latest podcast series: The Heart of Moral Leadership. Moral leadership is critical in turbulent political times because it provides a compass for guiding people through uncertainty, promoting justice, and fostering unity. In periods of division, leaders with strong ethical principles inspire trust, encourage empathy, and model behavior that prioritizes the common good over personal gain.

Jesus' leadership, marked by compassion, forgiveness, and a radical commitment to loving one's neighbor, offers a moral framework that transcends political and social boundaries. His teachings focus on humility, service, and advocating for the marginalized—values that resonate throughout history and remain relevant today. 

In the series intro, Bishop Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin, Senior Advisor to the President of Emory University and the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership. They discuss what defines a moral leader and draw examples from Jesus, Dr. King, and President Jimmy Carter. Dr. Franklin shares the importance of nurturing a collective responsibility, urging us all to embody ethical behaviors and cultivate a moral compass in our daily lives. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Dr. Franklin is the Senior Advisor to the President of Emory University and holds the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership. Before joining Emory, Franklin was a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Institute and Director of the Interfaith Religion Department at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. An ordained minister, Franklin served as President of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta from 1997 to 2002.

A celebrated author, Franklin has published four books: Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination (2020); Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities (2007); Another Day's Journey: Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis (1997); and Liberating Visions: Human Fulfillment and Social Justice in African-American Thought (1990).

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Faith and public policy are at a crossroads, making waves in national headlines. This intersection is deeply political, with Christians divided on all sides of the issue. As followers of Christ, it’s essential to remember that while Jesus’ message is undeniably political, it is never partisan.

In this episode, Bishop Wright sits down with Rebecca Linder Blachly, the Director of the Office of Government Relations for The Episcopal Church. Together, they explore the nation’s most pressing issues and the critical role the Church plays in advocating for humane immigration policies amidst political tension. Rebecca, whose journey took her from studying philosophy to navigating the corridors of the Pentagon, offers her unique perspective on how to maintain hope and stability, all while nurturing existing ministries. Listen in for the full conversation.

Since 2016, Rebecca Blachly has served as The Director of The Office of Government Relations for The Episcopal Church. Prior to this role, she was the Senior Policy Advisor for Africa in the Office of Religion and Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Her previous positions include Acting Chief of the Strategic Communication Division at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, Special Assistant to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Research Associate in the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She has conducted fieldwork and research throughout Africa and the Middle East and she has published on civil-military relations and information sharing in complex environments. Ms. Blachly received her B.A. in philosophy from Williams College and her M.Div. from Harvard University, and she is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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In our suffering, we often forget that even Jesus suffered. Many have turned away from God due to past wounds, yet some seek healing from the same experiences. By reflecting on Jesus' suffering, we can begin to understand this human condition can be used by God to change lives! 

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about suffering and how it is a result of human actions and choices. They discuss how community and personal narrative are tools that come out of suffering. Wherever you are on your journey, you are never alone. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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Tick-Tock... Not the app some of us spend time on! Tick-tock used to refer to the passing of time marked by a second hand on a watch or clock. When Matthew tells his story of Jesus, he often uses a word that points to the rapid elapse of time, “immediately.” “Immediately,” James and John left their family’s fishing business and joined Jesus in his friend making campaign.

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the art of time management against the backdrop of faith and life pressures. They discuss the necessity of balancing active faith with self-care to prevent burnout while reclaiming time for meaningful reflection and spiritual growth. Countercultural practices such as observing a Sabbath emerge as pivotal in this conversation as Bishop Wright encourages listeners to live with intention as a means of spiritual growth. Listen in for the full conversation.

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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What if our fixation on political leaders hinders our spiritual and communal growth? As we reflect on the intersection of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th president and Dr. King's birthday, we are invited to recognize the potential dangers of idolization and hypercriticism that can lead to societal paralysis.

In this conversation, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about shared purpose and finding middle ground across party lines. They discuss Dr. King's approach - always about the work and never about the politician. As Christians, finding ways to address real problems like poverty and education must always outweigh the distaste for a political party or personality.

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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What lessons can a former president's legacy teach us about today's political landscape? President Jimmy Carter's inaugural address from 1977, given nearly 50 years ago, remains relevant to the social and political climate in our country and world today.

In this episode Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation focused on President Carter's speech. They point to his courage to openly acknowledge governmental mistakes and how this parallels biblical principles of confession and repentance. They discuss President Carter's leadership and how admitting error demonstrates integrity and builds trust across party aisles. Listen in for the full conversation.

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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