Do Justice Podcast: Recent Episodes
Shining Waters Regional Council / United Church of Canada
Part social commentary, part spiritual reflection, part biblical study, and part prayers for an aching world, the Do Justice Podcast examines the intersection of faith and the secular through a faith-based, social justice lens.
http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca
Formerly the Living Presence Podcast.
Hi Friends! The Do Justice podcast feed has been dormant for more than a year now. There will be no new episodes posted to this feed. However, I wanted to let you know about a new podcast project I’ve been working on called, Wilderness Times. The following is the trailer for the show. Simply search whatever service you are using to listen here right now and hit subscribe.
Wilderness Times website
May is Asian Heritage Month. In this week's episode, we hear from Tina Conlon, Minister for Davenport Perth Community Ministry, with her reflection titled, "Asian in Canada". We also hear a production from the United Church titled "Struggle and Grace".
RESOURCES
Shining Waters Regional Council - Asian Heritage Month
United Church of Canada Intercultural Ministries
Asian in Canada by Tina Conlon
MUSIC
Emorie and Mia & Jonah.
FULL SHOW NOTES CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice
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Jesus is executed, just like so many men and women around the world. What does it mean to endorse the punishment used to kill Christ? What are the ways people with profound truths are scapegoated?
SCRIPTURE: Mark 15:21-41 The Death of Jesus
MUSIC: "Friday Morning" by Sydney Carter, "Underground" by Ainsley McNeaney, "Courage" by The Tragically Hip
REFERENCES IN THIS EPISODE:
Good Friday 2018: What if God Was One of Us? (90s Passion)
The Death Vote - Maclean's Magzine
March 17, 1987
Image of Gurney by Ken Piorkowski and used under license Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
FULL SHOW NOTES CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice
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Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this sixth week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Sara Hildebrand of the Love My Neighbour Project - an interfaith partnership with UNICEF Canada to pay it forward. They are inviting every Canadian that gets a vaccine to buy one for someone in economically depressed countries. For approximately $10 each, every vaccinated person in Canada can help speed up the vaccine rollout for all global citizens (cost to be confirmed by UNICEF)
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Church of Canada.
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Contagious Hope is a podcast series specially created for Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this fifth week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Greg Cook and Lorraine Lam, outreach workers at Sanctuary Ministries of Toronto; a place in the heart of Toronto where you can go to be seen and celebrated, walked with and cared for. Guided by the Gospel, the heart and centre of this community are the very people who are often excluded in the mainstream; those experiencing poverty, lack of housing, addiction and mental health crisis. At Sanctuary, they can get meals, health clinic support, art programs, street outreach, Sunday services, and so much more.
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Church of Canada.
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Episode NotesContagious Hope is a podcast series specially created for Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this fourth week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Dr. Aathish Iyappa who works at the Nair Hospital in Mumbai (Bombay) India. He consulted on the first case of COVID19 to be diagnosed in Mumbai. His 1600 bed hospital was covered to an 1100 bed COVID hospital. Dr. Aathish speaks of the lack of drugs in the early days in the early days of the pandemic, the hospital filling up and having to turn patients away, as well as the losses and miracles of life he has witnessed throughout the pandemic.
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Church of Canada.
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Contagious Hope is a podcast series specially created for Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this third week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Saima Mafat and Hanan Baalbaki from Nisa Homes. Saima and Hanan support Muslim women and children seeking safety from intimate partner violence across Canada.
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Church of Canada.
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Contagious Hope is a podcast series specially created for Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this second week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Clive Anderson, a trauma responder who has been present at violent catastrophes such as the 2018 van attack in Toronto. In the first months of the COVID 19 pandemic, Clive was called to no less than 20 long-term care facilities to offer assistance to staff and families.
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Chruch of Canada.
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Contagious Hope is a podcast series specially created for Lenten reflection by the Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto. On this first week of Lent, Rev. Alexa speaks with Michael Shewburg, Executive Director of the Five Oaks Centre in Paris, Ontario. Michael describes how, in the early days of the pandemic, Five Oaks pivoted from its normal retreat offerings to being a place where those newly arriving in Canada, often as migrant workers, could safely isolate and quarantine.
Contagious Hope was created with assistance from the McGeachey Senior Scholarship, administered by the United Church of Canada Foundation. The series is edited by Peter Restivo. For feedback, please email gilmouralexa@gmail.com
do justice. is an offering from Shining Waters Regional Council, part of the United Chruch of Canada.
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A brief meditative service to begin the Lenten season.
Readings:
"On Death" from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
"From Dust" by Rev. M. Barclay (enfleshed.com)
Isaiah 58:1-12 (read by Rev. Oliver Dingwell)
Psalm 51
Music:
When We Are Living — Spanish Traditional
From Dust — B. Swan
Let Healing Swiftly Come — B. Swan
Come Healing — Leonard Cohen (performed by Bri-anne)
Reflection previously released February 2, 2019.
Jesus says, "Shut up and get out!" to an unclean spirit. Having authority vs. being an authority.
Music by Timber Choir and Sam Larkin.
Mark 1:21-28 read by Sherri Fowler from British Columbia.
Epiphany has come a week late. A follow-up conversation from last year's Epiphany episode with Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai, Rev. Alexa Gilmour and Executive Director of Ramiro House, Jennifer McIntyre. Listen as they reflect on what has emerge since last year's art installation, as well as how COVID has affected those seeking asylum in Canada. Music by Emorie and Liz Vice (www.lizvice.com)
FULL SHOW NOTES CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice
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It's Christmas Eve and we have a fun, lofi, campy retelling of Luke's Nativity narrative with a brief time of reflection. Yes, perhaps the Christmas story isn't historically accurate, but the meaning we bring to the story and how we tell it is the beginning of our call towards how we are to be in God's world.
Music by Emorie, Dreamlamp and provisioning of Mary, Did You Know? by Jennifer Henry and performed by Bri-anne.
Reading of the Magnificat by Sarah Norris Andrews. Addition scripture reading by The Lockdown Brothers.
FULL SHOW NOTES CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice
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Special guest Emelda De Coteau of Pray with Our Feet sits down with Bri-anne (across the Internet) to talk about the revolutionary power of joy and love.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, read by the Rev. Ryk Brown from the Bruce Trail in Hamilton, Ontario.
John 1:6-8, 19-28, read by the Rev. Ruth Noble from Monarch Park in Toronto, Ontario.
MUSIC
Beauty Bright by Drew Brown.
Raise a Voice (Hear it Echo) by Emorie.
WORDS
"The Wilderness is the Birthplace of Joy" by Sarah Are from A Sanctified Art.
FULL SHOW NOTES CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice
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A special bonus episode for Human Rights Day (December 10th). Bri-anne speaks with David Atwood, a retired oil company engineer who has spent more than 25 years working to abolish the death penalty in Texas. David is the founder of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Buy David's book, Detour to Death Row at Peace Centre Books.
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Special guest, the Rev. Karen Orlandi, joins me as we talk about Mark 1:1-8, John preaching in the wilderness. We'll hear about her unrelenting advocacy for street-involved persons in St. Catherines (Ontario), and her absolute obsession with pooping, and safe, hygeinic places to do it.
Words by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Music by Emorie & Chris Tindal. A brief reflection on The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
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December 3, is International Day of People with Disabilities. The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly and aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
In honour of International Day of People with Disabilities, the Rev. Alexa Gilmour, minister at Windemere United Church in Toronto, spent some time in conversation with PhD candidate Elizabeth Mohler about disability, the church, the Advent story and the assumptions that are often brought forward when one listens to these familiar biblical texts. We are fortunate to be able to sit in on this conversation.
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Mark 13:24-27. Happy New Year! We're done with Matthew. Now we get to hang out with Mark. What's with all the talk of the end times? Hope as resistance. Music by Emorie, the Sun Harmonic and Bri-anne. Words by Death Row inmate Ramiro Gonzales and UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima speaking about World AIDS Day.
MusicTo The Blue by The Sun Harmonic
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It's Christ the King Sunday (soon). What does it mean to speak of Jesus as a "King" or a "Master"?
Special Guest Jeffrey Dale joins us to talk about his work advocating for safe consumption sites, the tension of using politically charged language to describe Jesus, and wondering what would it mean if we just took Matthew's words at face value.
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 25:31-46 read by Bri-anne from outside the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
READING
"Matthew on Jesus by a Prison Wall" from Jesus Son of Man by Kahlil Gibran.
MUSIC
"That's Who You Are" by Jesse Peters
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"Choose Love" by The Foxfires
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Our first full episode as do justice. the podcast! We're either getting acquainted or reacquainted...
Matthew 25:14-30. Jesus tells a parable about a master, some slaves...and about $9,000,000. Who is complicit? Who is vulnerable? What would it mean to believe those who are scapegoated?
MUSIC
"Nightingale" by Emorie
"Brave Parade" by Shawna Caspi (originally by Lynn Miles)
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Welcome to do justice., the podcast formerly known as Living Presence Podcast.
Bri-anne is now working with Shining Waters Regional Council as Minister for Social & Ecological Justice and Network Support. inhale. Want more details? Listen to the trailer!
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, November 13th.
Shining Waters Regional Council - Justice
SHOWNOTESThe Magi. The flight to Egypt. Baby Jesus in a cage and tragedy at the U.S./Mexico border. Reflections by Michiko Bown-Kai of East End United, Rev. Alexa Gilmour of Windemere United Church and Jenn McIntyre of Romero House. Music by The Nields.
FEATURED MUSICIANSThe Nields –“Jesus Was a Refugee” "Mary Had a Baby" "In the Bleak Midwinter" "Away in a Manger"
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READING NO. 1Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men
Read by Rev. Anne Hoganson from Halifax, Nova Scotia
READING NO. 2Matthew 2: 13-18 The Holy Family’s Flight to Egypt
Read by Rev. Alexa Gilmour from Toronto, Ontario
REFLECTIONPilgrimage of delegates from the Canadian Sanctuary Network to an art installation at Eastminster United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
Links:
Canadian Sanctuary Network
East End United Regional Ministry
Romero House
Windemere United Church
With gratitude to:
Rev. Stephen Milton of Lawrence Park Community Church and Soul Table for capturing the interview audio for this segment.
Michiko Bown-Kai and Jane Sanden for creating such a stirring nativity scene.
Rev. Alexa Gilmour and Jenn McIntyre for sharing stories of witness and advocacy.
Full show notes at: http://livingpresenceministry.org/2020/01/08/jesus-was-a-refugee/
Jesus, his parents and siblings may need some family therapy. "Whoever does not hate father or mother...cannot follow me." People who read Koine Greek are awesome. There is a cost to following this Jesus guy. Music by Kirsten Jones and Of Sea and Stone. Reading by Denise Bourchier, Mary Miller and Sarah Miller in Toronto.
Luke 14:25-33
14:25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them,
14:26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.
14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?
14:29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him,
14:30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
14:31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?
14:32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.
14:33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Bri-anne was never the cool kid in school. Jesus is the worst dinner guest ever and calls out the Pharisees with a lesson about humility. God does not value what the world values. You are loved and beloved. Music by Claire Schofield and LILI. Words by Kahlil Gibran.
A brief mini episode. Easter is here. The women discover Jesus has risen, but nobody believes them. Music by Dawn Landes.
50 Worshippers killed in Christchurch and there is much to mourn. Abram asks for an heir, and he gets two...with two different destinies. The Pharisees are not the real enemy. Christians. Muslims. Jews. We are a very dysfunctional familiy. Music by Sami Yusuf and Bri-anne Swan. Words by Sarah Ayre (www.sanctifiedart.org) and Imam Muhammed Bemat.
Welcome to Lent. The SNC Lavelin affair is big news right now. Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Earthly authority is not God's authority. Music by Sam Larkin and Good Harvest. Poetry by Rumi.
Gospel Reading:
strong text Luke 4:1-13 Jesus in the Wilderness
Second Reading:
The Agony & Ecstasy by Rumi
Featured Musicians:
Murmurings by Sam Larkin
Woodstock by Good Harvest (written by Joni Mitchell)
"Cultivating & Letting Go" theme created by A Sanctified Art.
Jesus comes down from the mountain to talk. Teenage Bri-anne gets snarky with Jesus when he says poverty is, in any way, a blessing. Poverty is never the fault of the poor. Music by Sigrid Aase and Louis Puggaard-Müller.
A live concert and service, recorded February 10, 2019 at Ravenshoe United Church in Georgina, Ontario. The music of Leonard Cohen paired with readings from "Son of Man" by Kahlil Gibran exploring different aspects and expressions of Love. A special pre-Valentine's Day special episode.
THE SONGS:
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Bird on the Wire
Famous Blue Raincoat
Hallelujah
If it Be Your Will
Come Healing
Show Me the Place
Anthem
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
Band Members:
Jessica Deutsch - violin, backing vocals
Drew Winters - keys
Naoko Tsujita - percussion
Bri-anne Swan - vocals and guitar
Readers:
Marilyn Butcher
Wayne Butcher
Kathy Anderson
Betty Ridge
Even Jesus has to listen to his mama. Sometimes the best thing I can do is hold my tongue because...the raging can wait. Living with a philosophy of abundance is radical, but it may just be the thing. Music by Ava Wild, the Constantines and Jackson Weatherbee. Words by Kahlil Gibran.
An account of Jesus' birth according to the Gospel of Luke.
Music by COMPASS, Mercedes Valentine, Bri-anne Swan, Chris Tindal, The Crofts Family, The Many, Vashti Bunyan and Emorie.
Merry Christmas!
Risk and Enmeshment - Ruth clings to Naomi. Love your neighbour because you ARE your neighbour. There's an election coming up so if you're listening in the US, help the rest of us out. Music by Christa Couture and The Sun Harmonic.
Reading 1
Mar 12:28-34 Read by Bri-anne...on the street...in the cold.
Reading 2
Mar 12:28-34 Read by Jeffrey Dale, warm, in the sanctuary of Grace United Church, Barrie, Ontario.
Music
"Rivers Will Rise" by The Sun Harmonic
"Aux Oiseaux" by Christa Couture
Xenophobia wins an East Gwillimbury election. Jesus tells us to go out into the World. Prayers for the friends, family and community of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg. Music by Agency, Jessica Allossery and Carolyn McDade.
Reading 1
Mark 16:14-18
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Reading 2
"Long Before the Night" by Carolyn McDade
Music
"Senses of Insecurity" by Agency (one of Bri-anne's FAVOURITES!)
"Landslide" by Stevie Nicks and performed by Jessica Allossery.
Citation: Rev. Doug Norris, Rosedale United Church, Toronto
Wisdom is crying out in the streets and she's pissed. Sound familiar? Bri-anne is pathetically sick. Music by Rod MacDonald and Jump Little Children. Proverbs 1:20-33
*Jesus facepalms his way through Mark's gospel as the disciples keep missing the point. So does the Church. Who are we called to follow? How do we stay salty? Music by Raïssa Simone and The Sweet Maries. Words by Kahlil Gibran. ***
Reading 1
Mark 9:38-50
Another Exorcist
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone[a] casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
Temptations to Sin
42 “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me,[b] it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell,[c] to the unquenchable fire.[d] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell.[e][f] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,[g] 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
49 “For everyone will be salted with fire.[h] 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?[i] Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Reading 2
"On Love" from The Propher by Kahlil GIbran
Music
"Dirt Road" by The Sweet Maries
"It's a Good Life if You Don't Weaken" written by The Tragically Hip and performed by Raïssa Simone
HAPPY PRIDE!! A short history of the harm churches have inflicted upon LGBT+ communities, and the hope that comes from mending relationships. An introduction to my father in law and the time I thought I was going to die on the Pacific Ocean. Jesus calms the storm. David finds comfort with Jonathan. Music by the brilliant choir of Eastminster United Church in Toronto.
Reading 1
1 Samuel 17:32-49, 17:57-18:4
Reading 2
Mark 4:35-41
Read by Sarah Miller, Michiko Bown-Kai and Jane Sanden of East End United, live from PRIDE Toronto.
Music
All music this episode was performed by the Eastminster United Church Choir. Here is their YouTube channel.
Born this Way by Lady Gaga
Brave by Sarah Bareillis
Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams, Kenneth Asche
Love For the World
Brought to you by Chelsea Skaynes & Sarah Jane Wetelainen live from PRIDE Toronto.
Also - the United Church of Christ, adapted from Alydia Smith, United Church of Canada
Jeff Sessions and Sarah Sanders hurt Bri-anne's soul when they use scripture to justify horrific policy. Jesus makes a lousy farmer. How do we know our kids aren't going to end up sociopaths? You are enough. Music by Mia & Jonah.
Reading 1
Mark 4: 26-34
Read by Bri-anne in the "garden" of The Burrow - the container garden her husband has planted in old boots and wagons.
Music
Mia & Jonah
"Mustard Seed" and "Warm Wind"
Son #2 has been in and out of the Emergency Room. Son #2 is sprawled across my lap in pain. The disciples keep asking the wrong questions. There is greatness in vulnerability.
A Mini Episode due to my children being constantly and painfully ill for the past 10 days.
Scripture: Luke 9:46-48
The disciples start fighting and ask Jesus who among them was the greatest. Jesus shows the a child. Not the answer they were looking for.
Music: "Closer" by Ainsley McNeaney
Jesus offers a prayer for the protection of his friends. Mothers have been calling for the cessation of violence for, like, ever. Music by Bri-anne and Ava Wild. Words by Julia Ward Howe.
Shownotes Featured Musicians Bri-anne Swan "This Land is Not My Home"
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Ava Wild
"To Change the World"
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Reading No. 1 John 17:6-19 A prayer for Jesus' friends.
Reading No. 2 "An Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World" by Julia Ward Howe (Selected Poems)
Love for the World Part of each episode of the Living Presence Podcast will feature a section where we lift up people and places who can use our alliance, our attention and some hope. (If you are from a United Church, this would be similar to "Prayers of the People" or "Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession"). The idea and our hope are that listeners from all over can send in the people and places they would like to bring to our attention, and I would love it if YOU would consider sending something in to be aired. You can either a) record something with the voice recorder app on your phone and email it to hi@livingpresenceministry.org OR b) call 289-903-0019 and leave a voicemail OR c) Leave a written comment and I will read it on the air.
THIS WEEK WE LIFT UP: * The family and friends of 16 students who died in Kashmir3 * Zabia Afzal, who is missing and last seen in Toronto * The family, friends and victims of Juan Costillo, who is set to be executed by the State of Texas on March 16 * To everybody for whom Mother's Day is painful and complicated
Jesus is starting to sound like a broken record. LOVE ONE ANOTHER ALREADY! Music by Michigan Americana Duo Escaping Pavement. Poetry by Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore.
Shownotes Featured Musicians Escaping Pavement "Fuel the Fire"
www.escapingpavement.com
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Reading No. 1 John 15:9-17 LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Reading No. 2 "Unending Love" by Rabindranath Tagore (Selected Poems)
Love for the World Part of each episode of the Living Presence Podcast will feature a section where we lift up people and places who can use our alliance, our attention and some hope. (If you are from a United Church, this would be similar to "Prayers of the People" or "Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession"). The idea and our hope are that listeners from all over can send in the people and places they would like to bring to our attention, and I would love it if YOU would consider sending something in to be aired. You can either a) record something with the voice recorder app on your phone and email it to hi@livingpresenceministry.org OR b) call 289-903-0019 and leave a voicemail OR c) Leave a written comment and I will read it on the air.
THIS WEEK WE LIFT UP: * The victims, their families and friends, and first responders, from the van attach in Toronto on April 23 * The victims of the flooding in the Fredericton area of New Brunswick * The family, friends and victims of Erick Davila who was executed by the State of Texas on April 25 * The family, friends and victims of Juan Costillo, who is set to be executed by the State of Texas on March 16
Jesus shows up and starts breathing funny. Thomas misses the whole thing. How do we demonstrate the value we place on people's lives? Music by Two Roads Home, Fruit and ursidae.
READING
John 20:19-31 Jesus Appears to the Disciples
MUSIC
Fruit - Peace
Two Roads Home - Nowhere but Somewhere to Hide
ursidae - Winter Wanderer
April Fools! Guess what, Mary...he's not the gardener! Redemption can be found even in the darkest, the most broken, the most neglected and shattered of places. Love always finds a way to surface. Music by Ainsley McNeaney.
Jesus is killed - violently and shamefully - on a cross. We now commence the mourning. Music by Ainsley McNeaney.
Reading: John 19:1-30
Episode 7 - March 25, 2018 subscribe on iTunes (Apple Podcasts) || Spotify || Stitcher
Shownotes Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus Cleanses the Temple Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.”
And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples[a] went out of the city.
Mark 11:1-11, 15-19
One - performed by Rob Falsini
The Plot to Kill Jesus It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.” Mark 14:1-2
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Mark 14:10-11
Losing My Religion - Performed by BeLLSaint
The Anointing at Bethany While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9
I Will Remember You - Performed by Risa Kumon
The Passover with the Disciples When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” The Institution of the Lord’s Supper While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the[g] covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:17-25
Black Boys on Mopeds - performed by Agency
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14:32-42
Under the Bridge - Performed by John Craigie Leave the Fire Behind (90s Tribute) by John Craigie
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them deserted him and fled. A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
Mark 14:43-52
Karma Police - Performed by Shefita
Peter Denies Jesus While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14: 66-72
Don't Speak - Performed by Meg Birch
Jesus before Pilate As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do[a] with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:1-15
Come as You Are - performed by Bebo Best and the Super Lounge Orchestra
The Crucifixion of Jesus It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. The Death of Jesus When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land[h] until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Mark 15: 25-39
One of Us - Performed by Martyn Joseph
Jesus is super angry at the religious establishment. Lots of people are (rightly) super angry at the Church. Sometimes the lectionary sucks. Whose voices is the #metoo movement missing? Music by Ainsley McNeaney and Melanie Frade. Words by Kahlil Giban.
Reading No. 1
John 2:13-33 Jesus Clears out the Temple
Read by Stephen Milton in Toronto, Ontario.
"Reading" No. 2
"On the Money Changers" from Jesus by Kahlil Gibran
Featured Musicians
Ainsley McNeaney - "Intro Royale" & "Sleep Through the Night"
www.ainsleymcneaney.com
Melanie Frade - "I Wont' Speak"
*"I Won't Speak" has not been officially released yet.
www.melaniefrade.com
Love for the World
Part of each episode of the Living Presence Podcast will feature a section where we lift up people and places who can use our alliance, our attention and some hope. (If you are from a United Church, this would be similar to "Prayers of the People" or "Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession").
The idea and our hope are that listeners from all over can send in the people and places they would like to bring to our attention, and I would love it if YOU would consider sending something in to be aired. You can either a) record something with the voice recorder app on your phone and email it to hi@livingpresenceministry.org OR b) call 289-903-0019 and leave a voicemail OR c) Leave a written comment and I will read it on the air.
THIS WEEK WE LIFT UP:
The victims, their families and friends, of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida
People who are grieving loss
Those affected by sexual violence, sexism, etc.
Those who are survivors of suicide
The people of East Gwillimbury
The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations
The athletes from North Korea
The families and communities of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine
Those who are fighting for their communities to access fresh drinking water
The Community of East Weymouth Congregational Church in Massachusetts who is fighting Enbridge right now
Things had been going so well, but then Jesus starts calling Peter names. Exploring Walter Wink's idea about the myth (lie, really) of redemptive violence. Music and elements taken from a "Lent with Gordon Lightfoot" service at Sharon-Hope United Church. Additional music by Ainsley McNeaney.
READING NO. 1
Mark 8:31-38 Jesus Rebukes Peter
Read by Pearce Thomas in Newmarket, Ontario.
“READING” NO. 2
“Sit Down Young Stranger” by Gordon Lightfoot
FEATURED MUSICIANS
Ainsley McNeaney – “Only Time”
www.ainsleymcneaney.com
LOVE FOR THE WORLD
Part of each episode of the Living Presence Podcast will feature a section where we lift up people and places who can use our alliance, our attention and some hope. (If you are from a United Church, this would be similar to “Prayers of the People” or “Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession”).
The idea and our hope are that listeners from all over can send in the people and places they would like to bring to our attention, and I would love it if YOU would consider sending something in to be aired. You can either a) record something with the voice recorder app on your phone and email it to hi@livingpresenceministry.org OR b) call 289-903-0019 and leave a voicemail OR c) Leave a written comment and I will read it on the air.
THIS WEEK WE LIFT UP:
The victims, their families and friends, of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida
People who are grieving loss Those affected by sexual violence, sexism, etc.
Those who are survivors of suicide
The people of East Gwillimbury
The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations
The athletes from North Korea
The families and communities of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine
God gets violent but then has a change of heart, Michael Coren thinks about Jesus and then has a change of heart, Bri-anne has a change of heart and climbs off her soap box (at least for a little while). Music by Jake Tavill and Ainsley McNeaney. Poetry by Kahlil Gibran.
Reading No. 1:
Genesis 9:8-17 God's Covenant with Noah
Read by Jason Meyers in the Oak Ridges Moraine
Reading No. 2:
from A Tear and a Smile by Kahlil Gibran
Featured Musicians:
Ainsley McNeaney
Jake Tavill
Reflection (excerpt):
"The flood, and the decimation of fleshly creation, was an incredibly
violent act. And I like to think...I like to think that this covenant
is God changing God’s mind. That perhaps, God eventually came to the
conclusion that killing everything and everybody off caused God too
much sorrow and heartbreak. That God’s own heart was softened enough
to consider that there must be another way."
Full Show Notes: http://livingpresenceministry.org/2018/02/17/never-god-change-mind/
The Living Presence Ministry is a community ministry of the United Church of Canada
Things are crazy, LET'S BUILD SOMETHING! Bri-anne gives birth. The real work is in the grind. Featured Musicians = The Killer Queens and Wool & Howl. Poetry by Star Blossom Goddess.
Reading No. 1
Mark 9:2-9 Jesus Transfigures in front of his Disciples
Read by Norm Seli from Ajax, Ontario
Norm is the minister at Jubilee United Church in Toronto.
Reading No. 2
"I Whisper" from by poet Star Blossom Goddess
Star Blossom Goddess has an offer for listeners of the Living Presence Podcast. SBG is an angel card reader, and she is offering a reading to people for $35 (normally it is $95). If interested, you can be in touch with her through the HelloPoetry.com website.
Love for the World
THIS WEEK WE LIFT UP:
People who are grieving loss
Those affected by sexual violence, sexism, etc.
Those who are survivors of suicide
The people of East Gwillimbury
The family and friends of those in Toronto's Gay Village
Mark Guevarra who was fired by the Archdiocese of Edmonton last week
Reflection
"I love the honesty of the disciples response – particularly Peter’s.
They were terrified. Seems completely reasonable. And like other
people I know who have trouble with big feelings and uncertainty, the
only response Peter comes up with is to do something…or in this case,
to build something."
"My own strategy for dealing with chaos and uncertainty is to create
for myself the illusion of control. So I plan. And let me tell you,
I planned the crap out of my first labour. Homebirth. Midwives. I
knew what I wanted to eat. What I wanted to drink. Scented candles.
Two separate music playlists – calm ambient music for the first stage,
and then a playlist of superhero theme songs for when it was time to
push. It was my dream that Son #1 would enter the world accompanied
by the John Williams Superman theme."
The Living Presence Ministry is a community ministry of the United Church of Canada
Jesus says says "Shut up and get out" to an "impure spirit". Having authority vs. being an authority. One year anniversary of a shooting at a Quebec City mosque. Music by Belle of the Fall and Arbirk. Prose by Kahlil Gibran.
Episode 2 - February 2, 2018
Shownotes
Featured Musicians
Belle of the Fall - "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?" (Nick Lowe Cover)
Arbirk - "Love is in Despair"
Reading No. 1
Mark 1:21-28 - Jesus Casts out an Impure Spirit
Read by Margaret Burkholder from Cochrane, Ontario
Reading No. 2
"On Laws" from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Full show notes here.
The Living Presence Ministry is a community ministry of the United Church of Canada
A reflection on Dolores O'Riordan's death, John 1:43-51 with Nathanael asking "Does anything good come out of Nazareth?". Donald Trump is a jerk. Music by Civil Wray and Ramona Rox. Poetry by Joshua Graff.
Episode 1 - January 19, 2017
Shownotes
Note: This podcast actually says "s!@#hole" - as reported by the media last week.
Featured Musicians
Ramona Rox - "Linger" (Cranberries Cover)
iTunes Spotify Facebook
Civil Wray - "Crows"
www.civilwraymusic.com
iTunes Spotify Bandcamp
Reading No. 1
John 1:43:51 - Jesus Calls Phillip and Nathanael
Read by Karen Orlandi from Start Me Up Niagara Outreach Centre
Note: Philip was from BETHSAIDA, not Bethesda.
Reading No. 2 "Come See" by Joshua Graff The Living Presence Ministry is a community ministry of the United Church of Canada