Vox Veniae Podcast

Naomi Jackson reflects on the life of Solomon and why God gave him what he asked for and what he didn’t ask for and how that impacts our understanding of wisdom [1 Kings 3:6-14].

Reflection

What do we learn about the character of God from their response to Solomon?

How does wisdom frame the relationship between humans and God?

How does one discern scripture into application? How does one discern scripture into an experience with God?

Gena St David reflects on what it means to believe and considers whether it’s less a choice we make and more something that expands within us as we “say yes” to encounters with Jesus that prove trustworthy [John 6:35, 44-51].

Reflection

How might I practice coming toward God with my hunger and thirst this week?

How might I practice listening to God this week?

How might I “taste” the life of Jesus this week?

Practice

Prayer of Examen.  What am I hungry for today?

Listening Prayer.  I’m listening...

Eucharist.  What does the Christ story reveal about God’s trustworthiness?

Jeff Chu reflects on where the Good News is as we continue to navigate difficult and disruptive transitions in our lives and those around us [Mark 6:14-29].

Reflection

What are the things that, like Herod's worldly allegiances, keep you from the allure of holy mystery?

What might help you remember the heart of why Jesus's name became known—the good news of love?

James Alison reflects on how we might be scandalized and what our response would be to the presence of Jesus [Mark 6:1-6].

Reflection

What are you scandalized by and what does your scandal stop you from seeing?

What does it mean to be scandalized by Jesus?

Why are prophets likely to give scandal?

Jane Patterson reflects on the interaction Jesus had with the woman who touched his robe in order to be healed and what it means for our calling to serve others [Mark 5:21-43].

Reflection

Who has touched you in the last year?

Who has touched you in the last week?

Who has touched us?

Resources

Church: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Minneapolis)https://htlcmpls.org

Insil Kang reflects on how our community has been and will need to prepare as we come back together physically and continue the work that God is inviting us towards collectively [Mark 4:35-41].

Reflection

How have we been preparing to come back together physically, to continue this ministry at Vox?

What have we seen and heard in God’s working in us while we have been physically distant?

How can we continue to prepare?

Practice

Think of the “boats” that have been around you over this past year. Reflect on how they supported you and made you feel safe, even from a distance.

Get a piece of stationary or a postcard, write them a note and physically mail it to them this week.

As we consider this new opportunity of ministry and community at Vox, take time every day this week to pray for a member who comes to mind.

Select a pump up song and play it LOUD as you dance and jump in anticipation of being back together.

Weylin Lee reflects on how we are invited to remain in the space of mystery as we begin to decompress from the past year and reimagine how our community might reconnect in new ways [Mark 4:26-34].

Reflection

How might we release control in order to experience divine transformation?

How are we invited to welcome the unexpected and offer safe space to the vulnerable?

Practice

Releasing Control. Practice centering prayer or the welcome prayer. Embody the release of control by opening your hands.

Welcome the Unexpected. Imagine our participation as we reopen liturgy again. Consider ways to practice obnoxious hospitality. Consider how to offer safe space to the most vulnerable.

Resources

Article: Think Outside the Banana (NYT)https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/dining/banana-peel-recipe-nigella-nadiya.html

Gena St. David reflects on what helps us not lose heart in the midst of grief especially in our personal and communal experiences [2 Corinthians 4:13-16].

Reflection

How is God renewing us as a Vox community?

What do we need to grieve to make space for what’s next?

And how might that grief moves us toward grace?

Practice

Express Grief.  Sit down with God, take a breath, say “I’m sad today”.  Select 1-2 trusted friends, take a breath, say “I’m sad today”.

Grief ritual.  1) Sadness – What has been lost? What do we miss?  2) Anger – What are we angry about? What do we regret?  3) Light – What memories do we wish to hold onto? What makes us laugh when we think about it?  4) Thanksgiving – What are we grateful for?

Weylin Lee, Lena Martinez-Wolfinger, Madyson Russell and Kimberly Culbertson reflect together on how Vox is invited to reimagine service in a season of transition and change [Jeremiah 29:4-7].

Reflection

What have you appreciated and valued about the Vox community?

How has this pandemic created an awareness of needs that you had not noticed before?

Practice

What’s in the pantry? What personal resources do you currently have? What have you appreciated and valued about the Vox community?

Observe the needs. What have you observed in the neighborhood around you? How has this pandemic created an awareness of needs that you had not noticed before?

Resources

The Church Lab

https://thechurchlab.org

Texas Impact

https://texasimpact.org

Vesper

http://vesperaustin.com/

Vox Values

http://voxveniae.com/values/

Vox Midweek Groups

http://voxveniae.com/mid-week-groups/

Austin Mutual Aid

https://www.facebook.com/AustinMutualAid/

Nic Acosta reflects on what it looks like for God’s chaotic goodness to interrupt our lives in disruptive and surprising ways [Ezekiel 37:1-14].

Reflection

What are some ways that God's message of hope and redemption has come through into our lives in unexpected or surprising ways? What did we learn?

What would it mean to live in such a way that, when God's chaotic goodness interrupts the world, we're receptive to it?

Resources

Video: Twin Peaks - Albert’s Path

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0ZvY2usbY