Jesus Has Left the Building

In this final episode of the mini-series with Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott, we talk about dismantling racism using the F.E.A.R.S framework. We dive deep into the ways that white people can do this much needed work with authenticity. 

In this second episode, we think about ways to discredit racism, using Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott's framework of Facing Our F.E.A.R.S. and we learn about how shaking the foundation of racism - both individually and systemically - can lead to important change. 

In the first of a 3 episode series of conversations  Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott shares his expertise and experience to help us disrupt racism within ourselves and larger systems of oppression. We unpack the F.E.A.R.S framework (F - Faith Formation, E - Education, A - Accountability, R - Reflection, S - Sorrow) and we discuss concrete ways that the framework can help us disrupt racism. 

Our final episode of Season 7, I’m Too Sacred for That, features Dr. Christena Cleveland. Christena Cleveland Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. A weaver of Black liberation and the sacred feminine, Dr. Cleveland integrates psychology, theology, storytelling, and art to stimulate our spiritual imaginations. She recently completed her third full-length book, God is a Black Woman, which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine. This episode is a gift to the Jesus Has Left the Building community, as Christena reminds us in this conversation that we are allowed, even called, find ourselves in the divine. We’re grateful for this perfect finale that calls us into relationship with ourselves, our neighbors and with God as we continue to think about Ritualizing Relationships.

In the penultimate episode of Season 7, Marta & Mandy chat about what they've learned about Ritualizing Relationship in conversation with the many and varied guests. We hear from Angie Hong & Jennifer Guerra Aldana, two of the co-founders of Kinship Commons, a collective for artists of color creating experiential worship experiences. Be sure to listen to the end for a sneak peek of our final episode with Dr. Christena Cleveland.

Episode 6, My Mama's Preaching, features Rev. Melech E. M. Thomas, a senior pastor, community organizer, and scholar with a heart for liberation, creativity, and African-centered theology. Rev. Melech was one of the youngest inductees into the 35th class of the illustrious Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers. On October 10, 2015, he was selected to give the opening Christian prayer at the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March, making him the youngest speaker on that day's program. His prophetic voice and his insightful commentary have been sought after by local, national, and international media outlets such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, CNN International, ABC News’ “This Week”, CBS’ “The Early Show”, PBS’ and print publications like The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Herald, Buzzfeed, Black College Wire. Recently he published an article called “Why I Am No Longer Interested In Being A “Preacher” in the Christian Recorder. We talk about how Melech’s mother helped him to develop his philosophy of democratizing power within the church, and how that democratization changes how you preach and lead a congregation.

In this episode, we are joined by Kate Eaton. Kate founded Mishkah in January 2010. Mishkhah is grounded in the beauty and wonder of the tradition, sacraments and architecture of Anglicanism. Kate brings her experience in directing the arts and music. Since founding Mishkhah, Kate has partnered with churches, conventions, conferences and a seminary to share her experience in creating worship environments. Her passion lies in returning to the rhythm of the liturgy and to spiritual practices that have shaped people’s lives over centuries. We talk about contemporary and traditional worship practices that can help people to connect with the divine.  To learn more about Kate’s work visit: www.mishkhah.com

In today’s episode, Lean on Me, we talk with Dr. Traci C. West. Dr West is Associate Professor of Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School. She is the author of Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women's Lives Matter, among many other books.  She has served on the editorial board of Journal for the Society of Christian Ethics, as co-editor of the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, and on the Society of Christian Ethics Professional Conduct Committee. Traci is an ordained elder in the  United Methodist Church. To learn more about Dr. West, check out: tracicwest.com

In this second episode, Working within the Fragments we hear from Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi. Kristina shares her perspective on intersectional feminism as a professor and minister and through her various intersectional lenses. Dr. Kristina is the Director of the Office of Professional Formation and Assistant Professor of Leadership and Formation at Iliff School of Theology. She also co-directs the Doctor of Ministry in Prophetic Leadership and coordinates the Certificate in Latinx Studies for the Iliff/DU Joint Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and received her MDiv from Iliff and PhD from the University of Colorado in Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy. Kristina’s previous ministry roles span the areas of undergraduate multicultural student affairs, hospital chaplaincy, congregational and young adult faith formation, and denominational leadership. Dr. Kristina has extensively worked on de/postcolonial theory, frameworks, and practices. You can access links to her publications on our website.

In this first episode of Season 7, Dismantling PMS, we hear from Dr. Irie Session. Dr. Irie is the pastor of The Gathering a Womanist church, the CEO of DreamBIG Coaching & Consulting, and the author several books. Dr. Irie shares the story of the womanist church she started, the difference between the meaning of womanist and feminist, and bits and pieces of liturgy that you are going to want to practice.

In this final episode of this season, Altered States, Marta and Mandy talk with Rev. Lori Walke, minister of Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City, OK. We hear about her journey from growing up Southern Baptist to becoming a pastor in the United Church of Christ, about her work at Mayflower, and about her justice work, especially in regards to being a part of a lawsuit attempting to uphold the separation of church and state within the educational sphere of the state of Oklahoma and beyond. This is a conversation you don't want to miss.

In this episode, we expand our reach from Kansas and Colorado into Wyoming and beyond! Marta & Mandy talk to Lisa Ansell Frazier, the founder, director and president of Buffalo Youth Nation. Lisa is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and currently lives in Wyoming. She is a mother of three beautiful children and a dog mom to three amazing dogs. She is a Tribal Trauma Crisis Counselor, Native Nations Advisory Panelist and a student at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She spends her free time hiking with her family and gardening. Her mission is empowerment of Native youth, creating stability and nurturing self-esteem.

Marta and Mandy chat with Felicia Smith GrayBeal, the Priest of St Paul's Episcopal Church, " a community following Christ into risky, messy, compassionate relationship with God, our neighbors and the world." St. Paul's literally followed Jesus out of the building when they sold their church building and started sharing space with two other congregations. We talk about the "messy middle" of life in community, and Felicia gives some great advice to congregations who are in similar situations.

Marta and Mandy chat with Amy Kay Pavlovich, a minister and the owner of Connected, a fair trade store in Lindsborg, Kansas. Amy Kay talks about how she got into fair trade and how impactful fair trade is on the lives of people all around the world.

Marta & Mandy get real with Queen and Princess as we talk about the work they are doing in and around Ft. Collins, Denver, and the surrounding areas. We talk about their non-profit organizations, the concept of ubuntu, reparations, liberation, and above all, the work of building the God's Kin-Dom right here on earth. Do not miss this episode!

Marta & Mandy chat with Reb Moti Reiber and Rev. Rachael Pryor of Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), a Kansas statewide, multi–faith issue–advocacy organization that “puts faith into action” by educating, engaging and advocating on behalf of people of faith and the public regarding critical social, economic, and climate justice issues. We talk about the difference between politics and partisanship, about how progressives can get active in advocacy in Kansas and other states, and how faith is like a three-legged stool, with justice being an integral part of a personal and a communal faith life.

Marta and Mandy speak with Melissa St. Clair and Wendy Davidson of Heart of the Rockies Church in Ft. Collins, a church who is literally giving away their land in order to create intentional community with folks who are struggling to find homes as housing costs sky-rocket in northern Colorado. This is a story you don't want to miss.

A lot has happened lately! In the fall of 2022, Mandy moved to a small town in rural Kansas, and in the spring of 2023, Marta moved to northern Colorado. We’ve been getting to know our new communities over the last year, and now we are ready to share the awesome work that is happening in Kansas and Colorado with the JHLTB communities, so for Season 8, we are coming to you from our Altered States! We’ll be talking to some amazing folks from Kansas, Colorado, and the surrounding states who are following Jesus out of the building and into the world, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Plymouth Congregational Church is doing cool things, and we want to highlight Youth For Change - an important ministry led by Plymouth's youth. Check it out, and then listen to the end for a promo of our upcoming season which will drop at the end of January 2024!

We are so excited to welcome The Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D. She is the author of A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church and Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to Women of the Torah and of the Throne, as well as many other publications. She is an Episcopal priest, and a delightful human, and we're grateful that she joins us to share her wisdom!