Archives: Episode

Mirrors and Windows: Representation in the Media – Janelle Durham

In the books we read, and movies we watch, we find mirrors – experiences that reflect our own, and windows – views into lives we can barely imagine. Representation is important – all people should be able to find mirrors and we should all be able to peek into all sorts of different lived experiences. If we actively seek out diverse stories, not only do we broaden our perspectives, we also cast an economic vote that helps to increase the chances those stories can be told. Opening Words adapted from “Let Us Worship” – Kenneth L. Patton. Reading “On Seeing Yourself in Literature” from the “Off the Beaten Shelf” blog by Mandy Shunnarah. Transcript with links to sources: https://janelledurham.com/2021/04/28/representation-in-media/. Resource list, including recommended books and movies, and criteria to evaluate the media you consume is available at: https://janelledurham.com/2021/04/24/seeking-out-diverse-media/

Earth Day Celebration

An Earth Day celebration developed by our Climate Action Team (CAT). John P reads “Earth” written By Rev. Mark L. Belletini. A video created by CAT members, sharing something they have committed to doing in light of the current climate crisis. Piano – For the Beauty of the Earth. Video on carbon footprint by Des. A Guided Meditation from Nancy. Greg Smith reads A Prayer of Healing, written by The United Nations Environmental Sabbath Program. Podcast ends with Blue Boat Home performed by our choir.

The Land of Enough – Rev. Nancy Reid McKee

Opens with a reading of from The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. Sermon by Nancy: “Society messages make us feel we never have enough- we need more things, better cars, bigger homes… and we are left with a sense of scarcity and that we ourselves are insufficient. We can change the framing to realize we have what we need, and we can make a difference by choosing what we invest or time and resources in.”

Spirit of Change – Nancy Reid McKee

This Sunday we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month by reviewing the four ‘waves’ of the feminist movement, and the recognition that liberation will require collective action to prevail, over individualistic achievement.

Spirit of Compassion – Nancy Reid McKee

Opens with “All That We Share Is Sacred” By Andrée Mol. Rev. Reid-McKee explores compassion and what distinguishes this from empathy. So often we are unsure how to respond to others as they suffer in some way. It may be that we can learn to create spontaneous, compassion within ourselves, and how to respond to others with care.

Air Communion – Nancy Reid-McKee

Air, one of the four elements, is the only one we can’t actually see. But we sense it with our eyes, hearing and touch. We will explore the ways we know air, and then as a communion together we will take a collective breath, honoring this essential element of life. Includes readings from John Fire Lame Deer, Gail Forsyth-Vail, Richard Gilbert, Lewis Latimer, David Abrams, and Lyall Watson, and concludes with Maria playing Prelude in D flat op. 43 no. 1 by R. Glier.