Fran Graveson is the Migrant Project Coordinator for the Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS), an organization that helps churches engage with immigrant neighbors through direct helping opportunities (food collections, diaper donations, etc.), advocacy and education. WAMS works with existing organizations - connecting congregants with their work, so that they can participate in the ways they are equipped and called.

Our immigration system is a complicated one and as people navigate it there are many opportunities to come alongside and work to dismantle biases. Tune into this special episode to hear more!

Tune in to this episode with our guest, Christa Lee-Chuvala! Christa reflects upon her faith and vocational journey, and the theme that she recognizes - being troubled by economic injustice in the United States and across the globe. Sharing also how she views intentionality and connectedness as integral components to how she generously gives and engages with justice issues. Additionally, Christa shares a little about B corps and how to support good business while also journeying toward more simple living.

Policies are a symptom of the deeper illness within the US. We need to learn from our history - at every pivot point we could have made better choices as a nation, but we didn’t. This means we could choose rightly now. The future can be different!

Tune into this podcast episode with guest, Joel Edward Goza, author of Rebirth of a Nation: Reparations and Remaking America!

Tune into this special podcast episode with Kyle who shares about his work at the intersection of faith and technology, his upbringing and identity. Growing up Kyle felt he was offered a clear pathway for what it looked like to be a Christian involved in politics (i.e. it meant you were a Republican) - there were specific convictions and policies to adhere to. Kyle questioned this packaged identity after a while - seeing the bias in the criminal justice system helped open his eyes to the other ways of seeing things. Mis and dis information are huge challenges for all of us seeking truth; sharing our own story can be a really powerful way to enter into conversation with people across political (and other) difference.

Tune into this episode with our friend Vicky, who joined us for the Following Jesus in a Warming World book club in the fall of 2023! In this encouraging conversation Vicky talks about her faith journey, what brought her to our book group and how she adapted the materials another book group member provided in addition to what she learned with us to create her own Green Lent curriculum. Vicky stepped out in faith to run her own group and the Lord really blessed her and those she ministered to. Additionally, Elizabeth and Vicky talk about how to cultivate a love and appreciation for nature in us and our children. Be sure to catch the list of children’s books she shared in connection to that love!

Imagine Christians continuing Christ's redemptive work by collaborating across racial lines to foster shalom between individuals, communities, and systems damaged by racism. The Race & Christian Community Initiative (RCCI), directed by Megan Lietz, works toward this vision by equipping Christians in Greater Boston to engage issues of race in ways that honor the image of God in all people and nurture the righteousness and justice Jesus desires for our communities.

Tune into this episode to hear more about the work of RCCI and Megan’s journey that brought her to form RCCI.

Check out the links below that are mentioned in this episode!

• RCCI Newsletter: Get quarterly updates and occasional emails about RCCI events and programming.
• RCCI Resource & Events Email List: Learn about race-related learning and action opportunities hosted by organizations throughout Greater Boston.
• Experiential Learning Weekend Interest Form: Stay in the loop about future experiential learning day opportunities.
• Cohort Interest Form: Get an email when we open cohort recruitment. We will begin recruiting for our next cohort in Fall 2024.

We are halfway through Season 2 of the Let's Talk Faith & Justice Podcast! Can you believe it? Tune in to this episode, a casual conversation with hosts Elizabeth and Ivy to hear about all the recent BFJN happenings and future plans, both personally and professionally!

Our hosts will be taking a brief hiatus from podcasting (more explanation included in this episode) during the summer months, but look forward to all God has in store for the fall.

Tune in to this podcast episode with Kristen Filipic, who was around almost from the start of BFJN! Kristen shares some memories of those early days and conversations that still resonate with her. As a Companion with the Society of Companions of the Holy Cross, she shares their history and mission, noting that the Boston chapter started around 1890! Kristen's values of: intercessory prayer, thanksgiving, social justice and simple living help to frame the conversation. Tune in today!

Christianity has a rich history and learning, practice and leading around living simply. Why is this not a more prominent part of most of our church experience?

Tune in to this podcast episode with Regina Walton and host, Elizabeth Grady-Harper, as they discuss the barriers to living simply and the ways we can sustain lifestyle changes that align us more fully with Christian teachings on simplicity.

Book Recommendations & Other Resources:

• Your Money or Your Life by Joseph R. Dominguez and Vicki Robin
• Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre
• The Day the World Stopped Shopping by J. B. MacKinnon
• From What Is to What If by Rob Hopkins
• The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics by Ched Meyers
• Becoming Minimalist
• Faith & Money Network

Tune in to this episode with our longtime friend Mako Nagasawa, our first return guest and one of the authors of our Lazarus at the Gate curriculum. Mako shares one of the major themes of his life - Christian restorative justice; while also exploring the true reasoning of Jesus’ death by reflecting upon Romans 6:1-13. Additionally, Mako about his faith and Christian worldview given the impact of his culture and personality type. Restorative justice he says is not only relevant to the criminal justice system, but also to ecology and the environment, economic and financial relationships. Stick around to the end to hear ways our community can engage with all Mako is doing, resources and offerings provided by Anastasis Center from the theology of Black Panther to the Reconstruction of Christian Theology. Their website is also a great place to stay up to date with new happenings, donate to continue the work, and subscribe to their monthly newsletter.