New Way

The Rev. Karen Rohrer is a theologian and Director of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Church Planting Initiative where she teaches and mentors fortunate cohorts on how to be wise, thoughtful, and relevant leaders.

In this conversation, Karen and host Sara Hayden give a shout out to all the pastors who had to scramble this year once COVID hit, and how the pace has not stopped since March, almost twelve months ago. They imagine what might happen if spiritual leaders had some time to contemplate and pivot thoughtfully, and what a difference it might make in all of our lives. Karen also shares her own contemplative practice and how it has shaped her life most recently.

The Rev. Karen Rohrer is a theologian and Director of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Church Planting Initiative where she teaches and mentors fortunate cohorts on how to be wise, thoughtful, and relevant leaders.

In part one, the strange freedom realized when someone puts ashes on your forehead and reminds you of your own mortality. What does it mean to be mortal? What does it mean to give ourselves permission to not be everything society has told us we should be?

The Rev. Carlton D. Johnson is an elder of the First Afrikan Presbyterian Church (Lithonia, Georgia), and heads up the Vital Congregations initiative of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. A native of Atlanta, throughout his life he has maintained an intimate concern for the disenfranchised among the people of God; especially young African-American males. He has not only worked diligently in the outreach ministries of the church, but has also given himself to mentorship with the United States National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.

In part two, reading Song of Solomon and how context shapes the way we read scripture; plus some profound thoughts on prayer.

The Rev. Carlton D. Johnson is an elder of the First Afrikan Presbyterian Church (Lithonia, Georgia), and heads up the Vital Congregations initiative of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. A native of Atlanta, throughout his life he has maintained an intimate concern for the disenfranchised among the people of God; especially young African-American males. He has not only worked diligently in the outreach ministries of the church, but has also given himself to mentorship with the United States National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.

In part one, the historical and present significance of Watch Night services; and the transformative principles of Kwanzaa and their connection with faith and formation.

The Rev. Ray Bowden celebrates his 96th Christmas this year.

In this episode, reflections on life; human solidarity; and a special Christmas reading.

Host Sara Hayden is joined by a very special guest, her own first-born son, Samuel, who is seven years old this Christmas. Sam’s three-year old brother Ben, who makes a brief appearance.

In this episode, what Christmas means this year; the prayers of a child’s heart; plus a few favorite holiday books make an appearance; and some ideas about how you might decorate in a pinch this year, even if you don't have your own Christmas tree.

The Rev. Chris Romine is the pastor of The Common Ground Church in New York City.

In part two, what it means for God and humans to be interdependent; own limitations and vulnerability, particularly this season; and Chris’ appreciation for horror movies, and what that has to do with the gospel.

The Rev. Chris Romine is the pastor of The Common Ground Church in New York City.

In part one, how this year has been especially vindicating for Enneagram 8’s; the good - and bad - of how the TV show The West Wing ties up everything neatly at the end of each episode, and juxtaposing that with Advent scripture texts; also, meditations on Franz Kafka.

The Rev. Becca Blake is the co-founder of Beacon Church in the Kensington/Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia as well as a pastor at Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

On this episode, God showing up as a baby in a stable, Mary's so-called birth plan being disrupted; an introduction to the discipline of imagining ourselves in that first Christmas Story, and the practice of linking that story to our own journeys; and an attempt to link Luke’s Christmas Tale to the BBC docudrama Call the Midwife.

Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen is co-convener of a new congregation known as Base BSTN. A convert to Judaism, she serves as the Assistant Rabbi and Director of Innovation at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, MA. Elizabeth was ordained from Hebrew College and completed her Master of Divinity degree as Yale Divinity School’s William Sloane Coffin, Jr., scholar.

In part two, a child's favorite objects of devotion; appreciation - and regret - for religious obligations and accountability; a pastor’s relentless Sunday mornings and a rabbi’s incessant Shabbats; and how being apart doesn't have to mean being alone.