Let's Talk: Faith & Justice

Tune into this special podcast episode with Kyle who shares about his work at the intersection of faith and technology, his upbringing and identity. Growing up Kyle felt he was offered a clear pathway for what it looked like to be a Christian involved in politics (i.e. it meant you were a Republican) - there were specific convictions and policies to adhere to. Kyle questioned this packaged identit...

Tune into this episode with our friend Vicky, who joined us for the Following Jesus in a Warming World book club in the fall of 2023! In this encouraging conversation Vicky talks about her faith journey, what brought her to our book group and how she adapted the materials another book group member provided in addition to what she learned with us to create her own Green Lent curriculum. Vicky stepp...

Imagine Christians continuing Christ's redemptive work by collaborating across racial lines to foster shalom between individuals, communities, and systems damaged by racism. The Race & Christian Community Initiative (RCCI), directed by Megan Lietz, works toward this vision by equipping Christians in Greater Boston to engage issues of race in ways that honor the image of God in all people and n...

We are halfway through Season 2 of the Let's Talk Faith & Justice Podcast! Can you believe it? Tune in to this episode, a casual conversation with hosts Elizabeth and Ivy to hear about all the recent BFJN happenings and future plans, both personally and professionally! Our hosts will be taking a brief hiatus from podcasting (more explanation included in this episode) during the summer months,...

Tune in to this podcast episode with Kristen Filipic, who was around almost from the start of BFJN! Kristen shares some memories of those early days and conversations that still resonate with her. As a Companion with the Society of Companions of the Holy Cross, she shares their history and mission, noting that the Boston chapter started around 1890! Kristen's values of: intercessory prayer, thanks...

Christianity has a rich history and learning, practice and leading around living simply. Why is this not a more prominent part of most of our church experience? Tune in to this podcast episode with Regina Walton and host, Elizabeth Grady-Harper, as they discuss the barriers to living simply and the ways we can sustain lifestyle changes that align us more fully with Christian teachings on simplicit...

Tune in to this episode with our longtime friend Mako Nagasawa, our first return guest and one of the authors of our Lazarus at the Gate curriculum. Mako shares one of the major themes of his life - Christian restorative justice; while also exploring the true reasoning of Jesus’ death by reflecting upon Romans 6:1-13. Additionally, Mako about his faith and Christian worldview given the impact of h...

Tune in to this episode for a casual conversation with Estela, a dear friend and participant of BFJN programming. Estela shares about her faith journey and experiences coming to the United States as a young child, and how her faith has grown in the Church. Engaging with Micah programs and BFJN Book Clubs over the years is also a highlight of this episode! Listen in today. 

Tune into this podcast episode with special guest, Ari Barbanell, Executive Director of Circle of Hope - an organization that provides basic neccessities to those experiencing/or in danger of experiencing homelessness in the Metrowest and Greater Boston area. Ari is the co-founder of Winter Walk and was there until last year (2016-2023). In this episode, she talks about the connection with the wor...

Poverty can have indirect implications for health. Race-based economic disadvantages can influence other social determinants as the intersection with poverty can further limit housing, educational, and employment opportunities, and these have also been linked to worse health outcomes (National Institutes of Health). Brenda Tsuchiya is the Medical Director of Primary Care at Family Health Cent...

"Violence is an everyday threat to people in poverty." Jenn Petersen serves as Director of Church Mobilization in the Northeast for International Justice Mission (IJM), coming alongside churches as they seek to partner with God’s heart for biblical justice and join Him in the renewal of all things. Jenn has over 20 years of pastoral ministry experience, serving in the areas of preaching and...

A home is more than just 4 walls and a roof.  Tune into this special podcast episode with Kevin Nye, author of "Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness". We learned so much by reading this book with our BFJN community last year and are so thankful to share this conversation with Kevin far and wide. We, as a culture, sometimes want to see homelessness as a personal failure...

Sara Mitchell is a Community Chaplain with a focus on the South End and those who spend time in the Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd area. What is a chaplain you might ask? An individual who ministers to the spiritual, practical and social needs of the community they serve. Sara shares her story in chaplaincy and journey doing ministry in the city for over 40 years. Through this episode Sara emp...

Tune in to this special podcast episode with Reverend June Cooper, who currently serves as the Theologian in the City at Old South Church in Copley Square, and is one of the founding members of Faith Leaders for Housing Justice (FL4HJ) which is a new collaborative partner of the Boston Faith & Justice Network. Rev. Cooper was formerly the Director of City Mission Boston, the second oldest not-...

Happy New Year friends! We are so thankful for all of the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon Boston Faith & Justice Network in 2023, and look forward to what He has in store for us in 2024! Tune into this episode to hear about Elizabeth, Ivy and Andrew's new year resolutions, or "radical resolutions" as Ivy likes to call them, their goals for the year and how they are expecting God to use th...

Tune into this episode where Elizabeth Grady-Harper has the fortunate opportunity to connect with Pastor George Cladis of High Rock Church’s MetroWest campus. Pastor George has experience at a variety of churches in MA and beyond and talks candidly about his journey as a Christ follower and Pastor. Additionally, Pastor George gets into some specifics of the interesting communities and projec...

Join us for this very special podcast episode featuring Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, author of "Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action" which BFJN read in community during the month of October.  As Kyle states plainly, climate change is real, it's us, it's bad, experts agree, however there is hope! Tune in to hear about Kyle's journey, his passion, expertise and what h...

Tune in to this episode featuring Peter Gyves, a Jesuit priest, founder and director of A Faith That Does Justice, Inc. Peter shares about his journey serving in El Salvador as a pediatrician, and how seeing their suffering drove him to faith. Also in this episode, Peter shares about his passion for Boston, understanding the needs of Spanish-speaking communities, helping to create mobility an...

Tune in to this special episode as Elizabeth has the fortunate opportunity to fellowship with Gary VanderPol, a longtime friend and supporter of BFJN. Having been a former board chair of BFJN many years ago, Gary was very thankful to be able to join BFJN's Fall 2023 Book Club which just wrapped up last week. Gary will share in this episode about his servant leadership as senior pastor of Church wi...

Tune into this episode featuring Kelly Fassett, Executive Director for UniteBoston since 2012. Kelly has been the catalyst for UniteBoston’s bridge-building work throughout Christians in the region. Kelly considers it a joy to understand how God is working corporately throughout the city, to see the function and purpose of each part of the body of Christ coming together as one. She has a cer...

As the summer nears an end and children around the world return to the classroom, what better time than to talk about education! Tune into this episode as our co-host Ivy has the opportunity to interview her husband Jonathan Long. Jonathan talks about his journey in the field of education, his passion, and how his faith informs the work that he does. In this episode we also touch upon the “s...

In this episode, Maeve interviewed Sabrina Auclair, the owner of Unpacked Living located in Danvers and Beverly, MA. They discussed the problem with plastic, the zero waste movement, and how to live more sustainably in everyday life. To learn more about living without waste and to check out zero waste products, visit Sabrina's store either online at https://www.unpackedliving.com/ or in person at...

Tune into this episode as we discuss all things climate change with Reverend Vernon K. Walker, Program Director of CREW – Communities Responding to Extreme Weather. As an organization CREW equips community-based teams of volunteer leaders with the training, local and regional organizational structures, and technological support needed to build climate resilience. CREW teams engage in educati...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to listen and learn from Dr. Dorothy Boorse about the issue of climate change. Dr. Boorse is a professor of biology at Gordon College and is the lead author of “Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment” among numerous other publications. Through an understanding of the environmental issues at hand and the obligations of Christ...

Tune in to this conversation with Jasmine and Anita of Jasmine Grace Outreach (JGO) beloved partners of BFJN's Micah 6:8 Service-Learning Program. An organization that helps individuals break free from drug addiction, sexual exploitation, and a hopeless way of life. A dedicated team of survivors and those in recovery who are available to help guide those who are ready and need help. JGO offers add...