Welcome back to our podcast! This Advent season, we’ve been delving into the profound mystery of the incarnation—the incredible truth that Jesus chose to come to us in the flesh. This exploration has been deeply influenced by my studies with the Franciscans, prompting me to reflect on the idea that Jesus would have chosen this path even without the fall. What does this mean for us? 

We’re also taking a closer look at a fascinating intersection of science and faith. 

Recently, we came across a compelling article on microchimerism—an astonishing phenomenon where cells from a fetus can move across the placenta, creating a lasting connection between mother and child. 

This discovery opens the door to a theological conversation that resonates with our celebration of the incarnation: What does it imply about the relationships we form and the depth of God’s presence with us? 

To explore these questions, we are excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler, an Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and an Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. With her expertise and insights, we’ll unpack the implications of being intimately connected through the miracle of life and consider what it means to have a God who desires to walk among us. 

So, sit back and join us as we journey through these ideas, celebrating the incredible closeness of God with us during this special season.

Links: 

Connect with Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler 

https://amypeeler.com/

She Can Teach https://secure.qgiv.com/for/themarcellaproject/event/shecanteachaustin/

Nurturing the Soul: Spiritual Growth through Franciscan teachings: https://www.themarcellaproject.com/books-and-bible-studies

Article: Microchimerism: A new concept

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6714269/

I've been pondering power partially because of the election but also because I've been studying the life of a powerful woman in the Scripture.  We rarely hear the Church teach on power, let alone about powerful women in Scripture and church history. 

We hear of women taught as damsels in distress, and we listen to them framed as temptresses. If we hear about a powerful woman like Deborah, we're told she was God's plan B. Then, there is the example of a female villain, Jezebell. What does it mean to have power, and how are we to steward it? Moreover, why don’t we feel comfortable with power and Christian women in the same sentence? 

I’ve had this conversation about power with women who hold top positions in their work, but when I suggest they are women with power, they squirm. Influence, yes. Impact, yes. But power?  It’s as if that’s a bad mix. 

What is power? Why are women squeamish about having it? And what should we do with it when we have it?

LINKS

The Marcella Project: https://www.themarcellaproject.com/

Article:https://fortune.com/2024/08/05/women-will-soon-have-more-money-than-men-first-time-in-history-mackenzie-scott-melinda-gates-playbook-philanthropy/

Playing God: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-God-Redeeming-Gift-Power/dp/0830837655

Redeeming Power: https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Power-Church-Fails-Wrong/dp/1587434156

Wood Between Worlds: https://www.amazon.com/Wood-Between-Worlds-Poetic-Theology/dp/151400562X

Recently the New York Times published an article about why Gen Z women are leaving the Church.

It stated, “Sixty-one percent of Gen Z women identify as feminist, far greater than women from previous generations.  Younger women are more concerned about the unequal treatment of women in American society and are more suspicious of institutions that uphold traditional social arrangements. In a poll we conducted, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of young women said they do not believe that churches treat men and women equally.” 

On today's episode, we talk with Beth Allison Barr to get her take on why this phenomenon is the reduced visibility of women in the Church. We hope this discussion will help Gen Z women know there are women like Beth and us at The Marcella Project who get it and are here to help them find their place to belong.  

LINKS

Beth Allison Barr https://www.bethallisonbarr.com/

The Marcella Project https://www.themarcellaproject.com/

Lime Green: Reshaping the View of Women in the Church https://www.amazon.com/Lime-Green-Dr-Jackie-Roese/dp/0578165058

.Today, we continue our discussion with Mako Nagasawa, who can help shed light on how the early church viewed abortion, what the science meant, and how we ended up politicizing abortion — an issue that has and continues to impact us, women, considerably.

. We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and our preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think.

So maybe we should start there.

We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and our preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think.

So maybe we should start there.

JSummer started like any other summer. Steve packed our car full of fireworks and drove to New York to celebrate with family at Mom's lakehouse on Arnold Lake on the 4th of July. My kids flew in, and their partners joined them this year. It was so much fun. All four siblings, their partners, nieces, nephews, and friends joined us, totaling about 70 people. We always cook a lot because we love our food.

I must say, a highlight this year was the 50 lobsters Kimmy brought from Maine and Johnny's banana cake. My friends said it must be laced with something because you can't stop eating it. And then my dad died, and I learned that death is a part of living.

Join Jackie in this special episode as she introduces Mary, a remarkable octogenarian whose passion for biblical scholarship spans half a century. Mary's wit and deep insights into the New and Old Testaments, especially regarding women in the Bible, captivate Jackie from the moment they meet in Amsterdam. Despite the serious nature of her work, Mary's British charm and humor shine through, making her a delight to listen to. As Jackie's season finale guest drops this July 4th, Mary Evans brings a unique perspective from her esteemed career at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and the London School of Theology.

In this special episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dieula Previlon, to discuss her incredible journey and the powerful themes of her new book, "Does God See Me?" Dieula is an ordained pastor, licensed counselor, certified trauma-informed business coach, and the founder of ElevateHer International Ministries and Elevate Life Coaching.

Together, we explore our shared experiences, from working on church staff and sweating it out in workouts to navigating family challenges. We delve into the heart of Dieula's book, focusing on healing from trauma, both personally and for those we love. Dieula shares her wisdom on integrating faith into the healing process and offers practical advice for emotional and spiritual growth.

Elevate Her

Does God See Me?

All About Dieula

DTS or Dallas Theological Seminary

I had the pleasure of sharing a cup of coffee with the brilliant Marg Mowczko. This was our first meeting, and within just five minutes, we were diving deep into the rich and complex narratives of Genesis 1-2. Our conversation was so invigorating that I knew I had to share it with all of you.

Marg Mowczko holds a theology degree from the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) and a master's degree (MA) specializing in early Christian and Jewish studies. Her award-winning thesis on deacons and Phoebe is one testament to her scholarly prowess. Marg dedicates much of her time to studying, writing, and engaging with a global audience through the Internet.

In this episode, we explore God's profound words at the beginning of time, unpacking their significance and implications. So, grab your coffee and join us for a deep dive into the origins of creation.