New Way

Zeena Regis is a Decatur, Georgia, based hospice chaplain and grief recovery specialist. Zeena is an expert at holding space at the end of life, one of the most sacred aspects of spiritual care and most life-giving and transformative ways of pastoring somebody.

In this conversation, being a Black woman in chaplaincy; racial inequality in the healthcare system; and what allyship looks like.

The Rev. Jake Medcalf is no stranger to new ways of being church. Even in this pandemic, the ministry he is a part of continues to adapt and find new ways to support and join neighbors in building meaningful connections that, in some cases, quite literally have saved lives. He is a founder of Urban Life Ministries of San Diego, and a coach within our 1001 New Worshiping Communities Movement. In 2015, he moved to Heyward, California, to serve as pastor of First Presbyterian Church there, with a laser focus call to guiding the ministry into a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-lingual community that strives to live out the radical mission of Jesus in the Eden neighborhood of the Bay Area.

In part two, different approaches to culture change; the challenges of leadership in this time; and the ways that COVID-19 has laid bare our systemic injustices.

Part two

The Rev. Jake Medcalf is no stranger to new ways of being church. Even in this pandemic, the ministry he is a part of continues to adapt and find new ways to support and join neighbors in building meaningful connections that, in some cases, quite literally have saved lives. He is a founder of Urban Life Ministries of San Diego, and a coach within our 1001 New Worshiping Communities Movement. In 2015, he moved to Heyward, California, to serve as pastor of First Presbyterian Church there, with a laser focus call to guiding the ministry into a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-lingual community that strives to live out the radical mission of Jesus in the Eden neighborhood of the Bay Area.

The Rev. Gad Mpoyo was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the Pastor and founder of Shalom International Ministry in Clarkston, Georgia, perhaps the most ethnically diverse city in the United States. He also serves as Southeast Associate for New Worshiping Communities.

In this conversation, growing up in the Congo; how political changes there forced him to stay at home for extended periods of time; and how those experiences might help us explore how to build a more resilient faith and witness.

The Rev. Emily Scott has pastored not one, but two new churches: St. Lydia’s Dinner Church in Brooklyn, and now The Church of Dreams and Visions in Baltimore. A Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, Emily believes that Christian practice holds out rich possibilities that call us to reach out across boundaries in love, to learn through discomfort, and to build relationships that bring God’s realm close.

On this episode, our cultural obsession with busyness; what it's like to celebrate Easter this year; and the timely subtitle of Emily’s forthcoming book For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World.

A native of Finland and now resident of Denver, Colorado, Kaisa Stenberg-Lee is the founder of Kutsu Companions. Kutsu is a Finnish word meaning both “invitation” and “call”. Through her work, she practices spiritual direction - with both adults and children - that focuses on the invitation to be curious about our prayers, our spirituality, and God.

In part two, Kaisa’s childhood in rural Finland; her work as a spiritual director with children; the death of a pet; and how the mystery of the forest parallels the mystery of God.

A native of Finland and now resident of Denver, Colorado, Kaisa Stenberg-Lee is the founder of Kutsu Companions. Kutsu is a Finnish word meaning both “invitation” and “call”. Through her work, she practices spiritual direction - with both adults and children - that focuses on the invitation to be curious about our prayers, our spirituality, and God.

In part one, parenting in the time of COVID-19; the importance of routine; and the significance of acknowledging our own grief and fear.

Diane Anderson started Faith Works in her home town of Paterson, New Jersey. This ministry is as much at home outside the walls of the church at it is on the streets of the city.

In this conversation, the gifts of empathy, solidarity, and humanity in this strange and unique time.

The Rev. Dr. Joanna M. Adams is a leader and thinker known for building bridges of understanding within and beyond communities of faith. Joanna is a mentor and pastor to the City of Atlanta where she has served as a guiding light to multiple congregations. One of America’s most beloved preachers, Joanna has preached at the National Cathedral, the Memorial Church of Harvard University, and the Chautauqua Institution. In her ministry, Joanna has been involved in starting more than a dozen life-changing non-profit organizations.