Glad Tidings

The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church - this year in Baltimore, Maryland - is almost here. But if you’re like most Episcopalians, you may not know exactly what happens at General Convention or what it even is. But fear not! 

This week, we're kicking off a new season of Faithfully Memphis with conversations with leaders in our larger Episcopal and worldwide Anglican communities - Of One Heart and Of One Soul. In this kickoff episode, Canon Sharon Alexander demystifies General Convention and provides a crash course in the polity and structure of governance of the the Episcopal Church in a conversation with the Reverend Molly James, who serves as Deputy Executive Officer of the 80th General Convention.

To learn more about The Episcopal Church, go to episcopalchurch.org. You can learn more about the General Convention and follow proceedings at generalconvention.org/about. To learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, go to EDWTN.org.

Published in 2021, At Road's End tells the true story of the murder of Barbara Ann Lee and the subsequent journey of her widower, Bob Lee, from the position of victim to victim's advocate. On this week's episode of Faithfully Memphis, join Bishop Phoebe for a conversation with Bob Lee and At Road's End author David Wayne Brown about the transformative power of forgiveness. 

Jeremee DeMoir - educator, Christian, and bona fide bookworm - dreamed of an inclusive bookstore where underrepresented protagonists and authors would be celebrated and where readers could find a community that loves them just the way they are.

Thus, DeMoir Books & Things in Memphis was born in the midst of the covid pandemic in Memphis.

On this week's episode of Faithfully Memphis, which originally aired on June 16, 2022 from WYXR 91.7 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, DeMoir talks to the Rev. Gerri Endicott, Deacon at Church of the Holy Apostles, about curating a safe, inclusive community where all stories are worth telling and everyone is accepted and celebrated as beloved children of God. 

Visit DeMoir Books & Things online at https://demoir-books.square.site/ or in-store. The shop is located at 739 White Station Rd. in Memphis. Follow the shop on Instagram and Facebook! 

This week on Faithfully Memphis, Emily Austin talks with Stacie Freeman and Peter Gathje about the growing partnership between Memphis Theological Seminary and Bethel University, specifically, Bethel University's Global Studies program and the possibilities for global faith education. At Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, Freeman is an Associate Professor of Sociology and the Director of Global Studies, and she also serves as Bethel University's Global Service-Learning and Citizenship Program founder and lead educator. At Memphis Theological Seminary, Peter Gathje, Ph.D., currently serves as professor of Christian Ethics, Academic Dean, and Vice President of Academic Affairs. We also learn about Columba of Iona, whose feast day is June 9. 

To learn more about the Bethel University's Global Service-Learning and Citizenship Program, go to https://www.bethelu.edu/academics/global-studies, or contact Stacie Freeman MSSW via email: [email protected].

Earlier this Spring, Thistle & Bee Enterprises appointed Autumn Chastain as its new Executive Director. Bishop Phoebe sits down with Chastain to learn about what motivates her to advocate for women who are often left behind. 

The Reverend Paul McLain - associate rector at Calvary Episcopal Church, Church Home Trust board member, and former university radio DJ - returns to Faithfully Memphis this week to discuss the work of Literacy Mid-South (LMS) with Sam O'Bryant, Executive Director. 

To learn more about LMS, go to literacymidsouth.org. There you can also get tickets for Literatini, their flagship fundraising event that will take place at Novel booksellers on June 11, 2022. 

On Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis (700 Poplar Ave. 38105) is open for community prayer and contemplation in the wake of the most recent spate of senseless gun violence in the United States. All are welcome. 

This week, we're taking a pause from our normal interview format on Faithfully Memphis. Bishop Phoebe and Minister of Communication Emily Austin reflect on evangelism in the Episcopal Church, how we can be building "beloved community" in new ways, and the way the Holy Spirit works through conversations and interactions that may not take place within the walls of a church building. 

Like what you hear? Be sure to like and subscribe to Faithfully Memphis wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee - including our churches and ministries - at EDWTN.org. You can also engage with us on Instagram and Facebook. 

If you've ever felt like civility is on the decline and that political polarization is driving us apart, you'll want to listen to this week's episode of Faithfully Memphis. Founded in 2016, the Braver Angels organization is committed to bringing people together to discuss hard topics with bravery and civility. Join the Rev. Debbie McCanless, Deacon at Saint John's Episcopal Church (Memphis), for a conversation with Braver Angels leaders Dr. Hunter Baker, Curt Cowan, and Kali Kucera.

This week on Faithfully Memphis, Bishop Phoebe speaks with Father Val Handwerker and Shannon Curtis of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Downtown Memphis. Pope Francis has called for a global synod for listening and "journeying together," and the people of St. Pat's have been rolling up their sleeves to listen to Catholics and non-Catholics alike about the ways the Church can better serve those who have traditionally been pushed to the margins.

It's a special week on Faithfully Memphis where we celebrate our local radio home, WYXR 91.7 FM! We encourage you to a pledge of support of any amount at WYXR.org. WYXR, a nonprofit radio partnership between The Daily Memphian and The University of Memphis, fosters the kind of thought-provoking and inspiring conversations you hear on Faithfully Memphis each week, including today's episode with the Reverend Paul McLain, associate rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, and Reverend Lisa Anderson, founder and executive director of Room in the Inn - Memphis (RITI). They are also joined in conversation with Christine Fox, who in addition to being on staff at RITI, is also a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Memphis and a BIG supporter of the work of WYXR. Also be sure to stay tuned to hear producer Emily Austin attempt to explain social media and cryptocurrency. Don't quit your day job, Em! 

To make a monthly sustaining gift or to learn more about the programming of WYXR: WYXR.org

To learn more about RITI-Memphis, including volunteer opportunities: ritimemphis.org

To learn about the ministry of Calvary Episcopal Church: calvarymemphis.org 

And for more information on the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee: EDWTN.org