"Our lives are changing so much right now. Our church is changing so much right now. It’s inconvenient. Period. Doubly so if we were looking forward to things getting back to normal after the pandemic. First because we don’t even know when the end of the pandemic will be, and second because we are seeing more clearly that there will be no going back to normal. We are forging a new normal. We are moving forward into the dark that comes right before the dawn not knowing what the new day will bring. Knowing only that whatever comes our way, we will have God and we will have each other."

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode (from July 2020), Anny Stevens-Gleason takes a look at Church of the Redeemer's long time relationship with Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) in conversations with past champion, Hollis Bass and with more recent volunteers, Sarah and Steve Nord. Hollis shares some history of Church of the Redeemer's involvement as well as what has been our standard set-up. Then Sarah and Steve talk about the effect of volunteering with this ministry has had on them as volunteers. Although the current pandemic may require some long term changes to the IHN structure, the involvement will surely remain as fruitful. As Sarah puts it, volunteering with IHN "gives you a different level of compassion."

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, Parishioner Gale Sheldon joins host Anny Stevens-Gleason for a talk about Gale's calling as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV), calling it a "wonderful opportunity to serve God and his people."

We continue this summer's throwback episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, host Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul invite us to see the Way of Love as a journey that can expand to include family and friends. Mary said yes to the call to birth Jesus, God's Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin Elizabeth who lived in the Judean Hills, a four-day journey. Isn't that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared.

This month begins this podcast's summer throw-back episodes featuring monthly looks back at some of our favorites. In this episode, Anny uses James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time as she considers the practice of rest.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

Go - Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus. As Jesus went to the highways and byways, he sends us beyond our circles and comfort to witness to the love, justice and truth of God with our lips and with our lives. We go to listen with humility and to join God in healing a hurting world. We go to become beloved community, a people reconciled in love with God and one another.

In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul talk about what the resurrection means to them as well as what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

"There's the faithfulness to the women's action that allows them to be first witnesses of this reality. But it's also a true word to say that if you're the first person to see it, you will not necessarily be believed. And there are people within our culture who, if they say it, they are less likely to be believed. And that's there. It's written right in." ~ The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

Worship - Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God. When we worship, we gather with others before God. We hear the good news of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the way of love.

In this episode, Anny Stevens-Gleason and the Rev. Philip DeVaul discuss the call to worship God and give thanks for all God's blessings. And look at how seeing the glory of God in all things, turns life itself into an act of worship.

"Loving your neighbor is worshiping God." ~ The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

Rest - The Valley of Dry Bones

True sabbath time will help to restore us - body, mind, and soul - like the dry bones into which God breathes new life. In this episode Anny and Phil explore rest and our relationship with it.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

Blessed by God, we can bless others and bear new life in the world. In this episode, Anny and Phil examine the scriptural call to be freed from idols and given a new heart. They explore their ties to modern day "idols" (work, money, power, etc.) to see what practices can be transformed into blessings for the sake of the world.

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

In this episode we look at the Way of Love practice, Learn. By reading and reflecting on scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God's word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to scripture we learn to see God's story and God's activity in everyday life.