TEN FOOT POLE

When Jesus says "I am the way", it means you are not. This is some pretty comforting words from Jesus!  In this episode, Pastor A.J. is joined by Rev. Dave Glenn-Burns from the ThreeHouse collaborative ministries at the University of Northern Iowa.  He shares with us about the hope in Jesus' words in their inclusion, rather than in the exclusion with which they can sometimes be associated. Dave also shares a little bit about the inclusion versus exclusion conversation in the United Methodist Church from his experiences as a United Methodist minister.  We chat about John 14:1-14 for Sunday, May 7, 2023 for our lectionary listeners.

"Mm, guys, how many different ways do I have to say it? Love."  - Jesus, once again explaining his figure of speech for the crowd. (As paraphrased by Pastor A.J. in this episode.)  Jesus hits us with another big metaphor, being a gate.  But what if it has felt like the gate to the kingdom has been slammed in your face?  Pastor A.J. and Albie dive into John 10:1-10 for Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Books mentioned:

The Queer Bible Commentary by Mona West and Robert Shore-Goss (2022 edition)

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd 

Our special 20th episode takes us on a powerful faith journey with my friend, Jessica Carlson.  Jess shares her faith journey through a conservative Christian school, alcoholism, coming out, and sobriety.  She asks a question that has been haunting her since her confirmation about the uncomfortable theology she was taught.  Who is worthy of receiving communion? Are you eating to your own damnation? What does Jesus really say? We chat about John 6:47-58 and what Jesus says about being the bread of life and the life-giving grace through this meal. 

Thomas gets a bad rep for being the one that "doubted". Well, don't we all sometimes? A blessing for us then that God does the heavy lifting in faith! In their post crucifixion trauma, the disciples are hiding and scared trying to make sense of their world, their faith, and their God. They hear Mary and the other women but can't seem to allow themselves to believe. They can't allow themselves to hope, because if it isn't true, it's just too much to bear. So when Thomas exlcaims, "My Lord and my God!" It's with relief of his spiritual anxiety. Tune in for more chat about John 20:19-31 for Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Happy Easter! Well, almost. The Gospels tell different stories, but they all agree on how Easter morning went: the women were the first bearers of the Good news. Was this by chance? Was it accidental? Or did God specifically choose these women with the most precious, world-changing news? Probably that, but why? In this episode Pastor A.J. is joined by Pastor Aimée Pakan of the musical group: Tangled Blue and of Brandon and Pine Rock Lutheran Churches in South Dakota. We discuss Matthew 28:1-10 for Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Deacon Margaret has a background in music and shares with us about the Bible's songs aka the Psalms. The Psalter encompasses a huge range of emotion from praise and thanksgiving to uncomfortably dark lament, and all of it is in the Bible and OK to say to God! Join us as we explore the language and emotions of the Psalms, how they relate to our faith and worship. We will take a closer look at Psalm 31 for Sunday, April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday/The Sunday of the Passion.

Have you ever spent time wondering about God's name? All the names that get used for God by Biblical figures? Names and descriptions that are masculine and feminine, gender fluid and inanimate objects? We hear most of the time that God's pronouns are he/him/his, but is that the only way to talk about God? Are there other pronouns that might be more authentic to your understanding and relationship of who the creator of the universe is? Pastor Colleen and I dive into the Bible to explore who God is and how they are described, and even, what pronouns God uses for themselves!

Pastor Colleen comes to us from the All Places Together ministry and podcast, learn more at www.allplacestogether.org

Resource mentioned:

"A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church" by the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney

There's a story of a woman who meets Jesus in the middle of the day in a place that they shouldn't be.  This unnamed woman has the longest conversation with Jesus in the Gospels. This woman often gets smeared by preachers as a lustful, adulterous woman... but maybe there's a bit more to her and a bit more to the story.  Is Jesus really the scandalous one? Is all the church's judgment misplaced? (the answer to that is almost always "yes" btw).  Join Bishop Bill Gohl and I as we explore this woman, Jesus, and the scandalous story.  This Gospel Lesson is John 4:5-42 for Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director of ReconcilingWorks, joins me to dive into Nicodemus' midnight chat.  He seeks "is this Jesus for real?"  How are we born again? What is love?  How do we understand God's love or how we live into this love? Who is included in this love and how do we live into this promise? So many questions, so little time.  Join us on our conversation of John 3:1-17 for Sunday, March 5, 2023.

Children's Book: "Love Makes A Family" by Sophie Beer

Author and Religious Politics Reporter, Jack Jenkins, is back for this spectacular episode about the first humans in the garden, "original sin", and how this all plays out in modern Christianity today. Whose fault is it? How does this blame game manifest in religious politics? This episode is about Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 for Sunday February 26, 2023.