The Average Episcopalian

Eucharist. Communion. The Last Supper. The Great Thanksgiving. It's the focal point of our worship service, but what does this bread-breaking really mean? We've brought in an expert to discuss. Father Cody Turner is the Curate for Worship at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas. In this educational and approachable conversation, we talk about what it means to "live into" the sacraments, the meaning of "real presence" in the bread and wine, what Episcopalians believe about communion, why children take communion in our church, and more. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

Whether you were baptized last week or 50 years ago, we all have a lot to learn from the baptismal covenant. In today's episode, Annie & Kate break down the baptism piece-by-piece, discussing in depth what the covenant means to us. Reciting the baptismal covenant as a congregation reminds us of the path we're on, and who we strive to be. In this episode, we talk about the difference between a covenant and a contract, the role of community in baptism, and why "we will, with God's help". Stay tuned until the end for our spicy new segment, "Kate's Controversial Questions", where we discuss infant baptism and more! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

Our culture is obsessed with avoiding suffering at all costs, and a lot of that is enforced by the "wisdom" plastered all over TikTok and other social media platforms. "Romanticize your life." "Let go of what doesn't serve you." "Cut people out of your life." Do these modern-day sentiments bring us closer or further away from Christ? We attempt to analyze these rules for living, discussing the lack of nuance in short-term video content, why we should depend on one another on purpose, and learning how to embrace the mess. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. (Yes, we see the irony in that plug.)

Many of us know "fellowship" to mean sharing donuts and laughs at coffee hour. But what does Christian fellowship mean on a deeper level? Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed is the rector of Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, Ohio, and she played an instrumental role in creating community in Annie and Kate's home church. Charlotte is here to share her stories of the priesthood, teaching us about fostering community in a broken church, what community means to Episcopalians, and the importance of community in the world at large. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

Lent: a season of penitence and self-denial in preparation for Easter. Join us as we ramble through the liturgical calendar of Lent day by day, reflecting on the symbolism of our Episcopalian traditions and sharing what the season means to us. We talk about giving stuff up, foot washing, returning to dust, and more. Follow along this Lenten season: @average.episcopalian.

You asked, we answered! It's the first ever Listener Q&A. We cover a variety of topics in this episode: common misconceptions about the Episcopal Church, a friendly "Prayer of Humble Access" debate, what Episcopalians "should" believe, and our favorite faith-related books. Don't miss the next Q&A! Follow us on Instagram @average.episcopalian.

If you haven't yet delved into the magic of this Advent season, it's not too late!! We're here to discuss the significance of waiting and preparation in what can feel like the busiest season of the year, and why it's important to listen to the call to "sit down and shut up". We share practical ways that we practice Advent, the meaning behind all those candles, and why Advent is technically good for your mental health.

In this episode, Kate & Annie are asking the same thing that those billboard signs on the highway ask you: "Are You Saved???" Salvation is a central focus in many denominations of Christianity, but how do Episcopalians see it? There are varying views in the church, and we're here to add to that mix. We discuss what it means to be "saved", why humans obsess over who goes to hell, and whether salvation is more like a warm fuzzy feeling or a pot of stew. Follow us on Instagram @average.episcopalian.

We have our first ever guest! Drew Crowson was an ordained Baptist minister when he realized that his church was like a pair of pants that just didn't fit anymore. His faith journey has led him around the world (literally… to Europe & the Middle East) and ultimately to his role of High School & Young Adults Minister at Annie's Episcopal church in Dallas, Texas. In today's episode, we cover everything from deconstruction, to different denominational views of the Bible, to theological splits in the evangelical church, to liturgy and ritual. We learned a lot from Drew's unique life path and his dry sense of humor, and we hope you laugh and learn too.

We're back! After a brief and unexpected hiatus, we're here with a glorified book review of one of our favorites: "Those Episkopols" by Dennis Maynard. Even if you haven't read it, you'll still want to listen! This book has guided us for many years on our spiritual journeys, and today we'll pontificate on 4 of our favorite quotes and their implications. Topics include: salvation, certainty, heaven, and hard-to-swallow pills.