Let's Talk: Faith & Justice

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.

Tune in to this episode for a casual conversation with Estela, a dear friend and participant of BFJN programming. Estela shares about her faith journey and experiences coming to the United States as a young child, and how her faith has grown in the Church. Engaging with Micah programs and BFJN Book Clubs over the years is also a highlight of this episode! Listen in today. 

Tune into this podcast episode with special guest, Ari Barbanell, Executive Director of Circle of Hope - an organization that provides basic neccessities to those experiencing/or in danger of experiencing homelessness in the Metrowest and Greater Boston area. Ari is the co-founder of Winter Walk and was there until last year (2016-2023). In this episode, she talks about the connection with the work she has done previously in theater and how both of these fields allow her to gather people together to care about a specific something. Stay tuned in to the end, to hear all the opportunities in which you can share in the work of Circle of Hope.

Poverty can have indirect implications for health. Race-based economic disadvantages can influence other social determinants as the intersection with poverty can further limit housing, educational, and employment opportunities, and these have also been linked to worse health outcomes (National Institutes of Health).

Brenda Tsuchiya is the Medical Director of Primary Care at Family Health Center in Worcester. In this podcast episode Brenda shares about her journey to her current position, the challenges the patients at the health center serves and how poverty makes it all harder. In this time we learned more about why community health centers are so important, the vital role they play in vulnerable communities, and the brokenness of the healthcare system here in the United States. We hope that you too will learn more on the intersectionalities of healthcare and poverty by tuning in to this episode today!

"Violence is an everyday threat to people in poverty."

Jenn Petersen serves as Director of Church Mobilization in the Northeast for International Justice Mission (IJM), coming alongside churches as they seek to partner with God’s heart for biblical justice and join Him in the renewal of all things. Jenn has over 20 years of pastoral ministry experience, serving in the areas of preaching and teaching, worship, missions, children’s ministry, and church planting.  This podcast episode is a call to Christians to answer the call to serve. Tune in today to hear encouraging stories from Jenn of what IJM is doing and ways you can connect with their work.