Episodes
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Since the birth of the church, there has been a branch of mysticism that has invited believers into deep and complex experiences with the divine. On this episode of the Red Church Door Podcast, Colin shares his recent exploration with the Christian mystics and welcomes this week's guest, Robert A. Jonas, M.T.S.
Jonas (as is he called by those who know him) is the founder and director of The Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA, with a special emphasis on Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and on the arts. Colin talks to Jonas about the intersection of Christianity and Eastern religious traditions meet, the impact of the Empty Bell in Christian and Buddhist dialogue, and the role Jonas's deep friendship with Henri Nouwen has had on his own faith journey.
Show Notes:
The Empty Bell: http://www.emptybell.org/
World Community for Christian Meditation: https://wccm.org/
Contemplative Outreach Center: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org
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On the third season premiere of the Red Church Door podcast, our host Colin Chapman sits down (on Zoom) with Polly Ingraham (https://www.pastorswifeblog.com), author, high school teacher, and wife to an Episcopal Bishop (the Rt. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire).
Polly shares stories of how she and Bp. Rob met, what it is like to be married to a member of the Clergy when one was not raised in that faith, and what the Church might be able to learn from her experience.
After spending a year in the Memoir Incubator program at Grub Street in Boston, Polly recently completed a book manuscript about her life as a clergy spouse and the evolution of their unusual marriage and is actively seeking representation. (Note: In the episode, Colin mentions the manuscript as if it had a title and release date - this was an error.)
At the top of the show, Colin welcomes his own clergy partner, Christie Everett Chapman, as she reflects on how growing up as a pastor’s kid made the idea of marrying a clergy person unappealing.
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Do Millennials and Baby Boomers view God differently? Does it matter? This week, Colin speaks with the Rev. Celeste Hemingson and the Rev. Greg Baker about the Baby Boomer and Millennial viewpoints and experiences of God, Jesus, and religion. What are the consequences of their differences? In what ways are they similar?
The Rev. Celeste Hemingson was ordained in 2003, after a 35 year career in management with the Social Security Administration. Rev. Celeste has lived in Hopkinton since 1987 and specializes in interim ministry. She is currently the Interim Rector of St. George's in Durham, NH. She also serves the Diocese of New Hampshire as Chaplain to retired clergy and spouses.
The Rev. Gregory Baker was ordained in July, 2020. He graduated from Yale Divinity School this past May and is answering his first call as Curate of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua, NH. Greg is also interested in the reform of the prison industrial complex and working with the incarcerated.
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Did you know that "Columbus Day" now appears on Google calendars listed as a "regional holiday?" Just after Thanksgiving week -- a week fraught with stereotypes of indigenous peoples -- Colin speaks with Bishop Carol Gallagher about the intersections of our christian faith and indigenous peoples -- and how Bishop Gallagher's advocacy for indigenous peoples has impacted and shaped her own spiritual journey and relationship with God.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher is Regional Canon for the Central Region of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Prior to her call in Massachusetts, Gallagher was assistant bishop in the Diocese of Montana, developing relationships with Native leaders and congregations there. She is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and has served on numerous church and civic committees and boards, including the Episcopal Church Council on Indian Ministries, the Anglican Indigenous Network, Anglican Peace with Justice Concerns, the Committee on the Status of Women, the Episcopal Divinity School Board of Trustees and the United Way of America National Board. -
In the midst of a global pandemic and fallout from contentious election-season politics what many seek today is a way to find sabbath to spiritually reset.. Today, Colin is speaking with Joan Bowers to explore what a Sabbath can look like for different people -- what are the options, strategies, and techniques for practicing Sabbath? How might the pandemic itself be viewed as a sabbath?
Joan is a former college English instructor who retired with her husband in March 2020 -- just in time for COVID. This summer she and a fellow Companion from the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross facilitated two week-long, online sessions of spiritual direction training offered by Adelynrood, a retreat center near Newburyport, MA, run by the SCHC.
In addition, Joan has been reading more nonfiction than usual and enjoying daily visits to a nearby pond. She appreciates communing with God, nature, and the fascinatingly diverse people who also find themselves drawn there.
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Where to Find a Spiritual Director:
Episcopal Church (Province 1/New England): https://www.province1.org/spiritual-direction
Spiritual Directors International: https://www.sdicompanions.org/find-a-spiritual-companion/
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With one week before the election, Colin talks to Dr. Susannah Heschel, professor of Jewish Studies and daughter of the great Abraham Joshua Heschel, about the troubling intersection of religion and politics in modern day America, and how this relates to the role religion played in Hitler's Germany.
Dr. Heschel is Chair of the Jewish Studies Program and the Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College. Her scholarship focuses on Jewish-Christian relations in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries, the history of biblical scholarship, and the history of anti-Semitism. She is the author of the bookThe Aryan Jesus: Christian Theologians and the Bible in Nazi Germany. Susannah's father is the internationally recognized scholar and theologian, Abraham Joshua Heschel, author of such seminal works as The Sabbath and The Prophets.
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This is the second half of our conversation with Jerusalem Greer. Jerusalem is the Staff Officer for Evangelism in the Episcopal Church. On this episode we talk about how the Church is starting to plant seeds in this uncertain soil for the future, and how you can do the same at home.
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Coming back from our summer hiatus, this it the first of two episodes with the wonderful Jerusalem Greer. Jerusalem is the Staff Officer for Evangelism in the Episcopal Church and her joy and energy about where the church is heading, even in these uncertain times, is a breath of fresh air. We talk about how the quarantine has impacted her work the Episcopal Church and what it's like to look to the future in the middle of disruption.
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The ways in which we are called by Jesus are as varied and unique as we are. In this episode of the Red Church Door Colin explores the many approaches to discerning our relationship with Jesus and our response to God's call. What are the paths to becoming more deeply involved, whether that be lay leadership, a deacon, or an emerging trend -- bi-vocational clergy. Colin's guests this week are:
The Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, Canon to the Ordinary for Discipleship & Vitality, Episcopal Diocese Northern Michigan. upepiscopal.orgSarah Stonesifer Boylan, Manager of Operations and Digital Missioner, Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. vtslifelong.org
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June is PRIDE month and in this episode of the Red Church Door Podcast, Colin talks to our very special guest R. Eric Thomas about his experience growing up in, and leaving, the Church, only to find religion again after meeting and marrying his husband, a Presbyterian minister. Eric shares his perspective on what the christian faith has to offer today; the apocalypse that is 2020; and how comedy can be a bridge between opposing points of view.
R. Eric Thomas (he/him/his) is a playwright and a Senior Staff Writer for Elle.com where he writes "Eric Reads the News," a daily current events and culture column. His writing has appeared in The New York Times multiple times as well as Man Repeller, Philadelphia Magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He is also the long-running host of The Moth StorySlam in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia and has appeared multiple times on The Moth Radio Hour. For his playwriting, Eric won the 2016 Barrymore Award for Best New Play and the 2018 Dramatists Guild Lanford Wilson Award; his work has been seen on stages around the country.
Show notes:
Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays: Amazon
Eric's Newsletter: https://rericthomas.substack.com/
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Over 63 million households in the United States own at least one dog, and another 42.7 million households own at least one cat. Today's Red Church Door explores the connections between our humanity and all of God's creatures. What do they bring out in us that, sometimes, our relationships with other people do not? Do animals help make us more human? In what ways do they help bring us closer to God?
Colin is thrilled to speak with:
Dr Clair Linzey. Dr. Linzey is the Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and Professor of Animal Theology, at the Graduate Theological Foundation in Oklahoma. Her doctorate is in theology from the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Dr Linzey is Director of the Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School. She is also co-editor of the Journal of Animal Ethics, and co-editor of the Palgrave Macmillan Book Series on Animals Ethics.The Reverend Canon Patti Welch, M.Div. Rev. Welch is former Canon for Education at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City and helped plan the cathedral's yearly Blessing of the Animals service for 17 years.Links:
Video from CBS News of Blessing of the Animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbBgQ2NCBhs
Video of lecture with Dr. Clair Linzey on Animal Theology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=codE1fFZlfw
Animal Gospel by Andrew Linzey: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Gospel-Andrew-Linzey/dp/0340621508/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Linzey+Animal+theology&qid=1589999808&sr=8-5
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We recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day -- under circumstances no one could have anticipated. How is our treatment of God's creation a reflection of our beliefs and our faith? Is environmental stewardship a spiritual path and way to God in its own right? Today we speak with two guests who have connected environmentalism and spirituality in profound ways:
The Rev. Stephen Blackmer, is founding executive director of Kairos Earth and chaplain of Church of the Woods, in Canterbury, NH. Steve comes to his calling with 30 years of conservation experience, having founded and built conservation organizations including the Five Rivers Conservation Trust, Northern Forest Alliance and Northern Forest Center.Deb Baker is a NH resident and Episcopalian who has been influential in getting many of the churches in the state to become a part of a new initiative from the Episcopal Church: Sustaining Earth Our Island Home.Links:
Kairos Earth & Church of the Woods: https://kairosearth.org/ Sustaining Earth Our Island Home: https://www.sustainislandhome.org/Episcopal Diocese of California's Climate Tracker & Webinars: https://diocal.org/climate -
Some of most deeply embedded memories of church include the hymns we sung, or the sound of the church choir, organ, or other musical accompaniment. In this music themed episode, we spend all of our time with our guest, Ana Hernandez, as she and Colin explore the healing properties of music and how music and signing connects us to God, and plays a role in furthering our spiritual journey. Colin's guests today include:
Ana Hernández, composer/arranger, workshop facilitator, theomusicologist, songleader, and author. anahernandez.org -
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home orders and physical distancing, the work from home phenomenon -- WFH -- has quickly trended into a thing. However, WFH also stands for "worship from home." Many are now worshiping via Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube, and wondering how to best stay connected with Jesus and their church.
This episode explores worship, prayer, and creating sacred spaces at home. How do creative sacred spaces at home support prayer, worship? Can we really engage and connect with God at home (and through online sharing and participation)? How do we practice physical distancing without becoming socially distant and losing our sense of community?Episode guests include:Lilly Lewin, founder, FreeRangeWorship. freerangeworship.comLisa Kimball, Associate Dead of Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary. vts.eduPatricia Lyons, Advisor of the Dean at Virginia Theological Seminary. vts.eduWhere to find Lilly Lewin:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lillylewin.thinplaceInstagram: @lillylewinWeb: freerangeworship.com & godspacelight.comTeaching Faith With Harry Potter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071CTS978/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1Building Faith: Buildingfaith.orgLifelong Learning at VTS: vts.edu/lifelong-learningBe sure to catch new episode of the Red Church Door Zoomcast with Kate Harmon Siberine at redchurchdoor.org or youtube.com/redchurchdoorSubscribe to the Red Church Door Podcast: redchurchdoor.com/subscribe -
COVID-19 has quickly turned our world upside down -- from work routines and dining out to visiting friends and going to church. It's a time when stress, anxiety, and isolation feels overwhelming for many.
This episode explores how faith and our relationship with God maintains us, and keeps us resilient in the midst of an unprecedented world pandemic. What scripture and prayer helps us connect with God to strengthen us and help us help others? Colin's guests are The Rt. Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, and David Rynick, a Zen Buddhist, author, and a professional life & leadership coach.
Episcopal Church of New Hampshire: nhepiscopal.org
Without Shame or Fear: From Adam to Christ: Amazon
David Rynick: https://davidrynick.com/
David's Blog: https://davidrynick.com/blog
This Truth Never Fails: A Memoir in Four Seasons: Amazon
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Repentance is a subject that contemporary religion often shies away from. At the same time, there seems to be a natural, human hunger for reflection, recognition of our sins and weaknesses, and repentance. What is the process of repentance? What spiritual practices of repentance bring us closer to God -- and why does repentance still matter? Colin's guests for this episode ar, Br. David Vryhof, from Society of St John the Evangelist (SSJE) in Cambridge, MA and the Rev. Sandi Albom, Chaplain and Spiritual Director at The Plymouth House in Plymouth, NH.
LinksBrother Give us a Word: www.ssje.org/wordThe Episcopal Church of New Hampshire Recovery Network: www.nhepiscopal.org/recovery
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Race, racial reconciliation, and racial healing are complex, multi-layered topics deeply embedded in our national psyche. Colin asks how our skin color shapes our understanding of God, and explores the impact of race and privilege on our spiritual journey and approach to God. How can we cultivate racial healing while deepening our relationship with God? Colin's guests for this episode were:
Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. www.centerforracialhealing.orgJerriAnne Boggis, executive director, Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. www.blackheritagetrailnh.orgLinks:
Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire: www.blackheritagetrailnh.orgAbsalom Jones Center for Racial Healing: www.centerforracialhealing.orgHow the Light Gets In & JerriAnne Bogis’s Books: https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/books/Dr. Cathrine Meek’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/Living-into-Gods-Dream-Dismantling/dp/0819233218Our Neighbors, Ourselves at St. Peter's Londonderry: www.facebook.com/ONOSPL -
How can worship be more welcoming and fun -- for all generations? In this episode of the Red Church Door, Colin explores Messy Church: an intergenerational experience for people who are looking for an interactive form of church. People of all ages and sizes are welcome whether you regularly attend church or have never stepped into a church before. What sparks a child's interest and imagination? How does Messy Church help kids, their parents, and their grandparents connect and experience God? Colin speks with Aaron Jenkyn, missioner for New London and Newport, NH., Roberta Egli, executive director of Messy Church USA.Links:Video Explaining Messy ChurchMessy Church, USA
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In this episode of the Red Church Door Podcast, we explore how a loving relationship with a family member or friend with dementia relies upon, defines, and shapes their, and our, spiritual journey. Colin speaks with the Rev. Colette Bachand-Wood, chaplain and priest-in-charge at Penick Village, NC, and the author of Do This, Remembering Me: The Spiritual Care of Those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Also, Colin talks with his friend, and parishioner, Mary Sobolewski, on what it was like to walk alongside her mother who died of dementia three years ago.
To Learn More:
Do This, Remembering Me: The Spiritual Care of Those with Alzheimer's and DementiaDisciple: God Is Still There. The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
Link to the clip from the documentary "Alive Inside" as mentioned in the interview.
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What does it look like when we experience Spiritual Renewal? On today's episode we talk about what renewal looks like in our own lives, and in the church.
Our guests today...
Tina Pickering, Canon for Ministry Development for the Episcopal Church of NHThe Rev. Jay Sidebotham, Director of RenewalWorks & Associate Rector at St. James’ Parish in Wilmington, NCSue Gordon, Member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Manchester, NHFor more information on RenewalWorks, visit: https://renewalworks.org/
