Speaking of Faith with Bishop DeDe

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What if stewardship were about much more than money? What if it were an invitation to grow in faith, welcome others, and recognize how we can use all that God has given us?

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore stewardship as a spiritual practice that shapes our lives and our communities of faith. Moving beyond the familiar focus on fall fundraising campaigns and pledge cards, they talk about stewardship as the offering of our time, talent, and treasure in response to God’s generosity.

The conversation also explores the connection between stewardship and hospitality. Bishop DeDe offers a picture of the church as a family meal: newcomers may first be welcomed as guests, but true belonging means inviting them to take part, contribute their gifts, and help shape the community. That kind of welcome asks something of all of us—including a willingness to change.

Bishop DeDe and Adam reflect on giving without guilt or pressure, finding joy in generosity, and recognizing that everyone has something meaningful to offer. Whether through financial gifts, service, prayer, learning, or caring for others, stewardship is about participating in what God is doing in the world.

And stewardship isn't just a season on the church calendar. It's an everyday practice of asking how we're using our lives, our gifts, and our resources to live out what we believe.

What does stewardship look like in your life? Bishop DeDe and Adam invite you to keep the conversation going with someone in your community.

Speaking of Faith is a conversation about learning to talk about what we believe—with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What is diocesan convention, why does it matter, and what does it have to do with how we live our faith?

In this special episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam take listeners behind the scenes of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York’s annual convention. They explore how the Episcopal Church is organized, how parishes are connected through the diocese, and why convention is about much more than resolutions, elections, and church business.

For Bishop DeDe, convention is an opportunity to celebrate the ministry happening across our region, learn from one another, strengthen our connections, and prepare for the work ahead. Adam shares a behind-the-scenes look at the planning that brings the gathering together, including the partnerships and hospitality that make it possible.

They also reflect on the importance of gathering across a geographically diverse diocese, listening to Indigenous voices, and remembering that no parish is alone in its ministry. In a world marked by division, convention offers a chance to come together as the body of Christ, affirm one another’s work, and discover what we can accomplish together.

Whether you’re a convention delegate, a member of a local parish, or simply curious about how the Episcopal Church works, this conversation offers a glimpse into the relationships, responsibilities, and shared faith that connect us.

Speaking of Faith is a conversation about learning to talk about what we believe—with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What have you been wondering about faith lately?

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam turn the microphone over to the listeners and take on four questions about faith, friendship, doubt, the Eucharist, and talking about what we believe with people who may see things differently.

Is it okay for our faith to change as we grow older? How can we talk honestly about our faith without becoming preachy? What do Episcopalians actually believe about the Eucharist and the “real presence” of Jesus? And what does our Christian faith have to say about making and maintaining meaningful friendships as adults?

Along the way, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore the value of doubt, finding common ground with people of different beliefs, the mystery of the Eucharist, and the importance of being connected to one another.

And, as always, the conversation doesn’t end with easy answers. Listeners are invited to keep asking questions, keep listening, and keep talking about what matters most.

Have a question for Bishop DeDe and Adam? Send it our way through the podcast page at cnyepiscopal.org, or use the link in the episode description.

Speaking of Faith is a conversation about learning to talk about what we believe—with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What can faith offer when the world feels divided, uncertain, and beyond our control?

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore how prayer, community, storytelling, and compassionate action can help us move from helplessness to hope. They discuss what it means to speak honestly about faith in a deeply polarized moment—and how Christians can distinguish the expansive gospel of Jesus from political or partisan narratives.

Bishop DeDe and Adam also reflect on the tension between fear and love, the courage required to let go of control, and the importance of seeing others as fellow children of God rather than enemies or strangers.When everything feels overwhelming, where is God—and what is the next faithful step we can take?

When have you felt overwhelmed—and what helped renew your faith or sense of purpose? Share your thoughts, questions, and faith stories with us as we continue learning how to speak of faith in the world we share.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What happens when we move beyond the headlines and listen to the people who actually live in the Holy Land?

In the debut episode of Season 5, Bishop DeDe shares reflections from her recent pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the surrounding region. From worshiping at sacred sites and renewing baptismal vows in the Jordan River to conversations with Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian Christian leaders, the pilgrimage offered a deeper look at a place too often reduced to stories of conflict and division.

Bishop DeDe and Adam talk about the realities facing Christians and Palestinians, the relationships that cross religious and cultural boundaries, and the importance of resisting easy answers in a deeply complicated place.

Above all, this episode is an invitation to listen with humility, see the humanity behind the headlines, and hold all God's people in prayer.

The Holy Land is complicated. Our faith calls us not to simplify it, but to approach it with compassion, humility, and a commitment to the dignity of every human being.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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We are so excited for Season 5 to debut on September 18! Join us as we dive into how we can speak about our faith in this time. Listen to all episodes wherever you get podcasts, or watch video episodes on YouTube.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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Hey friends! 

Speaking Of Faith, it's time to speak of taking a break. It is time for us to take some time to spend with our loved ones, to go and do things we enjoy. We will be back on September 18th for season five of Speaking Of Faith. 

But until then, I hope that you will spend time with those you love, that you'll have some good time for relaxation and to think about our faith and to share that with one another. And so until then, let's get out there and enjoy our time.

See you soon!

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What is the purpose of church? In a culture where many people describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious," is belonging to a church still necessary?

In this season finale of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore why Christian community matters—not because church is perfect, but because none of us are meant to grow in faith alone. Together they discuss how worship shapes us, why healthy relationships help us become more fully ourselves, and how authentic Christian community differs from toxic or coercive expressions of faith.

The conversation also wrestles with loneliness, the temptation to define faith only on our own terms, and the importance of gathering with people who challenge, encourage, forgive, and walk alongside us. Rather than asking, "What do I get out of church?" this episode invites us to consider a deeper question: How does worshiping God together transform who we are?

In this episode:

• Why church is more than a building or a weekly obligation.
• The difference between being "spiritual" and growing through community.
• How healthy Christian relationships help shape our faith and character.
• Why worship is about glorifying God—not simply meeting our own needs.
• How to recognize the difference between authentic Christian community and harmful or toxic expressions of faith.
• Why disagreement, accountability, and even being wrong can become opportunities for spiritual growth.
• How gathering around Scripture, prayer, and worship continually forms us into the people God created us to be.

As the podcast takes a short summer break, Bishop DeDe and Adam also invite listeners to spend time reflecting on their own faith journey and to send in questions and topics they'd like to explore when Speaking of Faith returns this fall.

What role has church played in your life? Share your thoughts and questions—we'd love to continue the conversation when we return in September.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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What do we do when trust is broken? How do we tell the truth without becoming judgmental? And what does forgiveness actually look like when our hearts are still hurting?

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore one of the most painful parts of being human: betrayal. Whether it's a broken friendship, wounded trust, disappointment in leaders, or the grief that comes from living in a fractured world, betrayal leaves deep scars that aren't easily healed.

Together, they reflect on what Scripture teaches about truth, accountability, compassion, and forgiveness. Looking to Jesus' encounters with Peter after the resurrection, they ask what it means to offer peace without abandoning healthy boundaries, and why trust remains one of the greatest gifts we can give another person.

This conversation reminds us that following Christ doesn't mean pretending we aren't hurt—it means learning how to carry our wounds with grace, allowing God to transform them without letting betrayal define who we become.

In this episode:

• Why betrayal often hurts more deeply than other kinds of grief.
• The difference between telling the truth and using truth to wound.
• Why trust is a gift—and what to do when that gift is misused.
• How Jesus models forgiveness while still calling people to accountability.
• Why compassion for ourselves is essential when we're carrying grief.
• What healthy boundaries look like after trust has been broken.
• How faith helps us move forward without becoming hardened by our pain.

Where have you experienced betrayal, and what would it look like to seek God's peace without allowing that betrayal to define your future?

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who may be carrying grief or struggling to rebuild trust.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.

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Who defines who you are?

In a world driven by comparison, constant opinions, and endless pressure to keep up, it can be easy to lose sight of who God created us to be.

This episode on Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam explore what it really means to be self-defined—not in a self-centered way, but by living with intentionality, agency, and an identity rooted in God rather than the expectations of others.

Together they discuss:

• What it means to be self-defined in a healthy, Christian way
• Why comparison steals our peace and our identity
• How faith helps us reconnect with our deepest selves
• The difference between living intentionally and simply reacting to the world around us
• Why saying "I don't know" can be an act of wisdom
• The relationship between personal agency and Christian community
• How people-pleasing, guilt, and "shoulds" can keep us from living authentically
• Why loving your neighbor also requires learning to love yourself
• Practical ways to slow down, reconnect with God, and discover what truly matters

Rather than offering easy answers, this episode invites you into an honest conversation about identity, purpose, and living faithfully in an increasingly noisy world.

What helps you stay grounded in who God created you to be? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Share your reflections in the comments or send us your questions for a future episode.

Send us your questions and join the conversation as we continue learning how to speak of faith together.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.